We Got Wood 42.59 - Always Next Year!

[7teen]

Needing just 1 win in the team's final 3 games, at home, against Vancouver, spirits were high that 2042 was the year that the Portland Lumberjacks would not lose 100 games. Well, there is always next year as Portland lost all 3 games in the series to finish the season 62-100.

The games were close and hard fought. Portland dropped game 1 of the series 7-4. Four errors cost the Lumberjacks a solid chance at the win. Of course two of the errors were made by starting pitcher Norberto Asconcio. No unearned runs were allowed but clearly it hurt the team's chances. Games 2 and 3 of the series (161 and 162 on the season) saw Portland drop heartbreaking games in extra innings. Trailing 2-0 in the 6th, Portland scored a run in the 6th and then tied the game in the 9th on a Juan Mendoza solo homerun with 2 outs. But closer Vincente Venalde allowed a run on 3 hits in the 10th and Portland could not recover. The script looked similar on the final day. Trailing 3-2, Portland scratched out a run in the 7th to tie the game at 3-3. It remained that way going to the 10th. And again, Venalde couldn't help secure a win. Two hits and a walk led to a Vancouver run and that was that. A 4-3 loss to end the season.

"I'm very disappointed" said Venalde after back to back losses. "I felt like I let the team down" said the team's all-star closer who went 0-6 with 10 saves over the final two months of the season. "I'm taking the blame on these two games for sure."

Despite the third consecutive 100 loss season, the Portland organization has made slow and steady growth over it's first 3 years of existence. The team has won 58, 60, and now 62 games. "At this pace, we'll win 90 games and make the post-season sometime around 2056" said team General Manager Chris Wilson trying to make a joke despite being upset. "We have to get better and at a quicker rate than this."

Both 2040 expansion organizations have now started their first 3 seasons with 100+ loss seasons. Charlotte joined Portland this year with a 62-100 record. By virture of Charlotte's poor 2040 season, they'll draft 1st yet again in the 2043 draft, relegating Portland to another 2nd overall draft pick. Sorry Jacksonville, my math still has you behind both of us!