As Portland scored three runs in the second inning, a few leather-lunged souls among the largest home-opener crowd since 1994, braving temperatures in the 40s, framed by gusty winds whipping Franklin Covey Field, clamored for Mitchell to replace starter Kasey Olenberger.

Never mind that the Bees were off to an 8-0 start this season, the franchise's best ever, and that Mitchell had 135 more games to navigate his pitching staff.

Welcome to the first game of the year in Salt Lake City, taken by Portland, 11-9, as the teams combined for 30 hits.

"It made it exciting," Mitchell said of the crowd. "We came out a little more aggressive at the plate than we normally were.

"We didn't want to lose the first game at home."

The pre-game festivities were pure Americana. Linda and Christine Stewart sang the Star Spangled Banner while a 60-by-90-foot flag was held aloft on the outfield grass by the University of Utah Crimson Line dance group.

"Every first game is a big deal," said Gary Patchett, who had a two-run homer. "There was a lot of energy."

The snowcapped mountains completed the backdrop.

"I was surprised," Freddy Sandoval said of the crowd size. "In other places, when it was cold, people never showed up. It says a lot about the people of Salt Lake."

One of those fans, Cary Coombs, sitting in the upper deck to the right of home plate, casually handled a looping foul ball, a first for the 38-year-old Atlanta Braves fan from Roy.

"I got one once that went over the outfield fence, but I had to chase it down," he said, holding his treasure in his in gloved hands. "It came right to me. Like playing catch with the kids in the back yard."

"I got my pinky on it," Coombs' wife Mindy said.

Like the majority of the 11,499 in attendance, the Coombses were bundled against the cold, a blanket draped across their knees.

"I would have caught it," said Randy Johnson, a Salt Lake City resident, said. "But I've been warmer at a hockey game."

Coombs was a fan of the new scoreboard - complete with video screen and graphics - located past the wall in right-center.

"I found myself watching it too much," said Randy Rigby, president of Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment Group. "It only enhances the most beautiful site in baseball. It adds to the whole experience."

martyr@sltrib.com

In short

Salt Lake's eight-game winning streak comes to a halt, 11-9, as Portland blows open a close game with four runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth. The Beavers then hang on as the Bees push across four in their half of the eighth.

Home opener scores

2008 - L, 11-9 vs. Portland

2007 - W, 4-3 vs. Las Vegas

2006 - W, 6-1 vs. Portland

2005 - W, 7-2 vs. Tucson

2004 - W, 8-4 vs. Fresno

2003 - L, 7-4 vs. Fresno

2002 - W, 5-1 vs. Portland

2001 - W, 7-2 vs. Oklahoma

2000 - L, 5-3 vs. Fresno

1999 - L, 6-1 vs. Iowa

1998 - L, 15-5 vs. Tacoma

1997 - L, 5-2 vs. Calgary

1996 - W, 8-3 vs. Calgary

1995 - W, 8-4 vs. Vancouver

1994 - L, 7-1 vs. Edmonton

Home opener attendances

2008: 11,499

2007: 8,327

2006: 9,511

2005: 6,551

2004: 7,130

2003: 11,015

2002: 7,498

2001: 6,682

2000: 7,116

1999: 6,647

1998: 7,037

1997: 7,508

1996: 10,252

1995: 10,754

1994: 14,611