Bears maul HarbourCats

Starter Andrew Nelson wheels and deals

This is one of those games you just put behind you. Yes, a good old-fashioned butt kicking. The visiting bruins from Cowlitz bested the HarbourCats by a score of 11-4, evening up the series at a game apiece.

Victoria starter Andrew Nelson struggled in his three and two thirds innings, giving up seven runs (four earned) on five hits while walking five and striking out one. Interestingly enough, he pitched the whole game from the stretch like a reliever, but he did start a number of games for his college team (Kentucky) this year. Almost like he wanted to work on it or something. Puzzling. He was replaced by Quintin Torres-Costa who gave up four more runs (only one earned) off three hits, walking one and whiffing two. Both pitchers threw a lot of pitches but also didn't get much help in the field, as the 'Cats fielders committed another three errors behind them. Still, it was one of those nights where the Bears just hit the ball well and at the right time.

And if you can scatter ten hits, Cowlitz starter Billy Sahlinger did just that, giving up three runs in his seven solid innings of work. Sahlinger improves to 2-0 in his two starts this year.

The lopsided score allowed both teams to make liberal substitutions and get some new blood into the game, which will certainly be beneficial in the longer run. The 'Cats inserted four pitchers besides Nelson and Torres-Costa - Preston Ryan, Jacob McAdams, Brandon Feldman and Dylan Stowell - who each got an inning of work and gave up no runs, one hit (off McAdams), one base on balls and two strikeouts. That in itself gives us reason to smile.

Hitting-wise, the news wasn't all bad either. A few 'Cats had a good night at the plate with Danny Collier going two for two before being pulled, Alex DeGoti and Bryce Greager led the home side with three hits each. I can't wait for Greager to hit a homer like DeGoti did tonight, just so I can call it a "Greager-bomb".

It was a statistically interesting game where Victoria outhit Cowlitz 12-9 but got thumped on the scoreboard 11-4. As earlier mentioned, three 'Cats errors contributed to that anomaly, especially in the fifth when two back to back potential double play balls were flubbed.

Another highlight was catcher Kelly Norris-Jones gunning out the two runners who tried to steal on him early. I think that sent the message loud and clear - do NOT run on this dude! Wyler Smith also stole another base taking his league leading tally to seven and establishing him a a true threat on the pads.

Off the field, things ran smoothly and did I see it right, that the scoreboard was showing some live video? can I ask for replays? I won't ask for anything else...I promise. Anyway, that was VERY cool to see! The cars in the mini-car race actually raced around the infield tonight (missing Christian's camera this time!) but I wonder how long before a disgruntled player stomps one, or one actually crashes into a player/ump. Whatever, it is good value to watch. Finally, the yoga deal seems to be sorted out now at the seventh inning stretch and gets my full stamp of approval.

And that was only game two...whew!