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| Local boy Ty Russell with a rare plate appearance |
For a league without a lot of power, it looked more like the home run derby than it did a regular season game. Alex Real hit his team-leading 5th home run - his first in 17 games, but the real power story of the night was John Schuknecht. After Brandon Smith's outstanding night at the plate last night, he was moved up to second in the order, moving Schuknecht down to ninth. The bottom of the order must agree with him - he went 3 for 3 with a walk, 2 Home Runs, and 5 RBI on the night. That's three "taters" off Gems pitching this series.
Unfortunately for the 'Cats this night, two guys putting together 6 RBI wasn't enough. Starting pitcher Joe Navilhon had his worst start of the season, giving up 9 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings including a mammoth grand slam in the 4th to C Adam Daymude, and a single home run to 3B Ryan Clark in the 6th. Change pitchers maybe? Nope, he had to give up 3 more before the 'Cats finally had mercy on the home crowd and got him out of there. Connor Russell, (who must have insulted someone's mother the way he's been skipped, pushed back, and ignored this year) came out of the pen and gave up the final two runs.
In a nice salute to the home-town fans, all three Russell boys made an appearance in the same game, as Ty Russell had a chance to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth (Austin was the DH).
The 'Cats score 23 runs against Klamath in the series, give up 24, and walk away with only one victory to show for their effort. Signs of a great offence at times, shut down by some questionable bullpen management.
So thanks to the HarbourCats for the shirts, the free ticket giveaways, the clapping hands, the button giveaways... but all we really wanted on Fan Appreciation day was some relief pitching...
pitching coach has a big problem treating his pitchers with respect
ReplyDeleteConnor is one of the better pitchers on the team and he deserves to start. Not sure why you would bring hin in to relieve when we are getting butt kicked. Why not use one of those guys with a fat ERA in that situation? Pitching coach is clueless!
ReplyDeleteWhat can you say...........Shame, shame, shame. The team started the year off so well, looked as thought they had some great opportunities but appears that the coaches have let them down and you can feel it. Where is the coaching ? where is the mentoring ?. Looks like they are just there for the money as referred to in an earlier blog..... Sly as a fox? ... I guess so. (Just pocketing the eggs who cares about the players.) If this is how it is done... count me out for next year. Wasn't much of an inning for the Russell boy to pitch to, 2/3rd's I believe and probably just to shut the fans up. Sorry Connor, you must be going to the wrong university.
ReplyDeleteThe WCL is more about developing players for their upcoming college season than it is about winning games. Just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAnnie, you're right on the money again. I'm thrilled to have baseball back at RAP, but I wish our team would focus more on winning and providing a quality on-field product for the paying customers.
ReplyDeleteHard to develop when you rarely get to play. Seems to me some are getting more "development" than others. Those fellows should do well for their upcoming college season. The others, sorry fellows maybe next year you will get to play/develop.
ReplyDeleteseems like coaches play their own players before anyone else,if holly has any guts she will address this bad situation
ReplyDeleteBryan Conant pitched a hell of a game AGAIN tonight - I want to congratulate him on what should've been A complete game shutout! Maybe we should switch it up and give some other guys an opportunity at the plate.
ReplyDeleteGive some other guys an opportunity at the plate? Great idea... Let's start by putting the guy who leads the team in on base percentage into the starting lineup once in a while instead of letting him rot on the bench. Yes, that guy goes by the name of Ty.
DeleteI don't care what name he goes by, just put someone in who can hit the ball and score! When we have guys (yes plural) strike out three times in a game, I don't care who they are, give ANYONE else an opportunity!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteYour comment this morning was not published because it does not comply with our guidelines for blog comments. I you have anything constructive to add to the discussion then please feel free to leave a more respectful comment.
It's very easy to be frustrated with coaching decisions this year whether you're a player, a parent, or a fan. Saying guys strike out isn't an insult it's the simple fact and a part of the game. We can just as easily say we've had pitchers get lit up and hitters in slumps but at the end of the day when were losing ballgames in the 10th inning by a 1 run deficit we've got to figure out how to get guys in who can manufacture runs. I think the point is clear.
ReplyDeleteGreat job by John Schuknecht!!! Stay hot big boy.
ReplyDelete