MLB debut - Jason Childers and Ruddy Lugo

Opening day at Baltimore, Tampa Bay had to go early to their bullpen as ace Scott Kazmir blew up in the 5th inning allowing back-to-back homers to Luis Matos and Melvin Mora. Manager Joe Maddon called on two debutantes Jason Childers and Ruddy Lugo.

Both pitchers are typical organisation men. Whilst not meaning to denigrate them, neither is likely to trouble anyone's fantasy league rosters.

Undrafted out of Kennesaw State, Childers toiled for the last four years at AAA, most recently with the Richmond Braves. In 2005, he posted a 2.09 ERA in 38.2 innings with a WHIP of 1.34. The 31 year old has never before made it to a Major League roster.

Childers' family made the most of his big day.

Childers couldn't hide how thrilled he was to finally be in "The Show."

"This ranks right at the top," Childers said. "Being able to go to work and come to Camden Yards ... it's pretty neat -- real neat. But this is why I've been putting in all the time in the Minor Leagues to try and get to this point. So I'm trying to take it all in now."

Too bad his performance didn't quite match the thrill. Childers entered game with 1 on and no one out. He pitched 1 inning, allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. The runner he inherited from Kazmir also scored.

Childers was relieved by Lugo (no, not this Lugo). The Dominican faired little better than his fellow debutante allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk in 1.1 innings of work.

Lugo has previously pitched no higher than AA where he has been stuck for the last four seasons. From a quick glance at his stats, control is his problem. Against the O's he threw 28 pitches with just 15 strikes. With that ratio he might find himself taking a trip to AAA.

Balmer cruised 9-6; Julio Lugo left the game and soon visited to the Disabled List.