LITTLEFIELD, Texas — Senior catcher Tyler Rutherford belted a three-run homer to break open a tight game and the Portales Rams opened their 2005 baseball season on Saturday with a 9-3 victory over Littlefield. Junior right-hander Justin Gilchrist went five innings to pick up the pitching victory. Sophomore right-hander Mario Salazar finished up with two shutout innings. The Rams return to Littlefield on Thursday to begin play in an eight-team tournament. Their first-round opponent, at 10 a.m. (MST), will be Tulia, Texas.