Morning Wood - 59.17 - Another Rookie Debuts

[7teen]

While all eyes are on Mynorli Gaajlimitz in terms of rookie debuts in Portland, another highly touted prospect form within the organization also made his debut this week for the Lumberjacks. Murali Patachli, who entered the season as the 11th ranked prospect in the Brewster Baseball Association, took to the mound for his big league debut Saturday night down in Long Beach against the Surfers. In front of dozens of friends and family, Patachli had a decent debut, going 5 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3. He received a no-decision for his efforts in a contest Portland squandered in the bottom of the 9th.

"I wish the team could have won the game and I had pitched a little better but all in all I'm pleased with how I threw the ball on the mound tonight" commented Patachli after the game. "I'd like to have that pitch to Kessel in the 2nd inning back for sure. A different result there and I think things look a lot better both on my end and for the team." Patachli was referencing the 0-1 fastball he threw to Rodney Kessel in the 2nd inning that Kessel desposited in the left field stands that gave the Surfers a 3-0 lead. The homerun came after Patachli had surrendered a single and a walk. The Surfers sent 8 hitters to the dish in the inning, the lone inning Patachli seemed to really struggle in.


"I felt comfortable in the 1st and settled in a little after that horrendous second inning. Again, I felt good out there and the nerves were minimal."

Much like the storybook start for Gaajlimitz who got a hit in his very first at-bat, Patachli will be able to say he struckout the first batter he ever faced. In the top of the 1st inning, it took Murali just 4 pitches to dispose of Randy Stuard looking. "It was a good knuckle curve" smiled Patachli on the pitch that froze Stuard.

Patachli will make his next start and home debut Friday night when Portland hosts the Hawaii Tropics at the Trail in Multnomah. "It's just a 3-game home-stand" chimed in Sandy Mounds. "We expect the Trail packed Friday night in full support of Murali in his home debut!"