Jason Marquis talks about his daughter's recovery

Big leaguer Jason Marquis split the plate in half for eight innings, making a final tuneup for New Britain before rejoining the Twins next week at Yankee Stadium. Marquis gave up two runs, including a solo homer by Koby Clemens, to beat New Hampshire, 5-3, on opening night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The 104-game winner fanned seven Fisher Cats without issuing a walk. Following the game, he talked about 7-year-old daughter Reese's recovery from a bicycle accident and how she is likely to make a full recovery from internal injuries and surgery. Great news. 

Fisher Cats Opening Day 2012

Sal Fasano's first lineup card at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in 2012. "Your Gs have gotten better," I told him.

Tonight the Fisher Cats will show off their 2011 Eastern League championship banner and embark on a ninth home season in Manchester, NH ... New Hampshire righty Chad Jenkins (1-0 ERA) goes against New Britain's Jason Marquis, a big leaguer who needs work since returning from home in Staten Island, where his daughter was involved in a serious bike accident. She is expected to make a full recovery ... Jenkins turned in one of his best outings with the Fisher Cats last week, allowing one run through six innings and striking out two (no walks). That's exactly the type of pitching line Toronto wants from the Kennesaw State product. Jenkins does his best work when he's inducing contact, letting his sinker get the outs. Strikeouts are a bonus for Jenkins, who posted a 2.04 grounder-to-fly ball ratio last year ... "Chad came back in way better shape this year. He's a strong kid. Hopefully he's going to be a horse for us," NH manager Sal Fasano said. "He's a contact pitcher with a low walk rate. He's not going to strike a lot of guys out, but he'll get outs by putting the ball in play early in the count, kind of like how Henderson Alvarez pitches." And, now, Justin Jackson in the laundry room: