9/6 ML Gameday Thread: Portland 1 win away from Finals

SeaDogs up 1-0 after 1.5. Miller singled and Coyle doubled then run came in on a fielder's choice. Augliera pitching efficiently.

Still 1-0 after 2. Pitch counts Augliera 17, Lara 44.

1-1 after 2.5. Augliera didn't get the third out for a while started off with 3 pitches for the first two batters. Sloppy play behind him, Wilkerson with a fielding error followed by KDLC being KDLC but they didn't effect the score.

LOL, let's demand a center field camera.

Blair with a solo HR, line drive well hit to right center on an outside pitch.

Pitching change 2-2, bases loaded McCarthy coming in, no outs. Hit parade.
4-2. McCarthy walked in one, wild pitched in one (which would have come in anyways, he walked that batter. Still can't see because of the angle but it appears that Carson Blair needs work on pitches in the dirt.

Still 4-2. Castillo 0-3. Fly to left, GB to the pitcher, fly to right.
Mets with a chance to break it open here bases loaded, nobody out.
Walk, 5-2. Pitching change, Ruiz was warming I think.
Infinite inning 10-2 now, still not over.

Younginer in, my first look at him. mid 90's FB, rares back in his delivery but looks like the ball might be difficult to pick up. Also threw sliders I think. Castillo out of the game, also Coyle who was HBP but didn't come out until later.

Problem is though, Diaz gets the start in the deciding game. He's pitched a lot of innings and has looked tired lately.

I'm guessing they have held out Couch to piggy-back.

11-4 now. Chester with a 2 run HR

Ah OK, didn't see that. Diaz is on his own then.

Elimination game tomorrow. 11-4 final.

Part of an eyewitness account of the Portland game from a knowledgeable poster at Uponthemonster.com:


Rusney Castillo... he had no hits today but I was very impressed nonetheless.

-He reminded me of Betts and Marrero in how he took his warmups seriously and seemingly did more sprints and warming up than the rest.
His build is impressive. Powerfully athletic legs and strong upper body. I don't know how he wouldn't hit 15 homers by accident with that build.

-He stopped to sign one autograph on the way back to the dugout (radio guys said he had stayed after the game to sign a lot the night before). Of course lots of others rushed up and called to him but he had to focus on getting ready for the game in 10 minutes. He did acknowledge the fans with a smile and a wave though which I liked.

-A few times Keury de la Cruz made the last out and Rusney was one of the first out of the dugout, carrying Cruz's glove and hat for him and handing them off at shortstop and chatting with him. Good teammate stuff.

-I've got some pictures to show his stance and swing mechanics a bit. I was impressed. His strength and athleticism reminded me of a more powerfully built Mookie. In one of his at bats, he got out on his front foot on a breaking pitch and had to swing off balance at a pitch away...and he still made the right fielder make a great running catch a step short of the fence on the warning track in right center. The ball LEAPS off his bat.

-In one inning a Mets batter hit an absolute rocket to center that hit the base of the wall, 400 feet away. Rusney got it quick and threw a 1hop strike to second base from the base of that CF wall. Another throw later I saw was similar. He's not JBJ, but he is no Jacoby Ellsbury with the throws either. Better than Mookie I think but would need more to know for certain.

-In one of his last innings in the field (he played 6), he made a great catch on the dead run over his shoulder going to the warning track in left center. It was a very hard hit ball more on a line and slicing away from him and he put on the jets and ran it down, reaching high over his shoulder to snag it.

I'm sure there is some catching up to do in order to shake off the rust and there is some adjusting to ML pitching to do, but he did not strike me as a 'prospect' like most of the rest. He looked like a powerfully built, 27 year old professional athlete who plays with energy and confidence. At a glance, I can see why the Sox spent 72 million on him.

z8.invisionfree.com/uponthemonster/index.php?showtopic=3160&st=590#entry22056971

He also has several great pics posted.

Thanks for posting these. Much appreciated.

Coming to you from the great northwest