The Seattle Monarchs took a 1-0 lead in the Cecil Cup series today with an 8-1 victory over the Cleveland Steamers. The Monarchs scored eight runs and punished the Steamer pitching staff with sixteen hits. Four Monarchs had three hits for the game, including Dong Lutz who had a solo homer and a double.
Reports will be up in the morning. Game 2 on Saturday night.
I feel like the Cards from '04 or the Astros from '05 or the Rockies from '07...so over matched.
ReplyDeleteBig advantage in finishing a day early and having my rotation set to go for Game One. And Placencia has just been a stud not only in this postseason, but in his career. In his postseason career, he's put up the following line:
ReplyDelete9 GS, 7-1, 60.1 IP, 47 H, 14 R (all earned), 12 BB, 65 K, 2.08 ERA.
Considering that's against playoff teams, that's very impressive. I hadn't noticed that before, but it's a good argument for him as the best starting pitcher in the game, no disrespect to the fine Mr. Villatoro who has been good but not quite that good in the postseason.
Anyway, it's only the first game in what is likely to be a long series, so we'll see.
I did find it odd though that Cleveland's manager elected to pinch run for clean-up hitter Ronald Aiken in the seventh inning down 5-0. The run came around to score, but don't you need Aiken's bat in the line-up if you're going to come back?
I also would have preferred it if my manager didn't use my two best relievers in a game where we led 5-1 after seven and 8-1 after eight. Do you really need the closer to nail down a seven-run lead? I hope not.
ReplyDeleteThe inability to prevent ridiculously stupid managerial decisions is one of the flaws of this game.
ReplyDeleteWell, having followed my beloved Mariners for a long time now, I would say that the occasional stupid managerial decision is a regular feature of baseball, not the exception.
ReplyDeleteMack: It seems like Cleveland's manager was circa 2008 Charlie Manuel, who would often pinch run for Pat Burrell in the mid-innings, only to have his turn at bat come up in the 9th and be stuck using an inferior hitter.
ReplyDeleteIt really did not matter how many days off I would have had, I was starting Minton in game one. He is the wily veteran on the pitching staff, and when you know you are going to lose game one, you might as well not throw your best :)
ReplyDeleteI am also glad that my manager did NOT throw any of my best MR in this game. I was a bit worried that he would, and that would have sucked. As for Pinch running Sallee for Aikin (who has been my best power hitter in the playoffs), I have no idea why he did that. I will have a chat with him before game 2.