We Got Wood - 43.42 - Portland Inches Closer as Daniel Shines

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The Portland Lumberjacks organization has played 511 games in its history. It has never spent a day in solo first place. That streak continues on to this day but the franchise is getting closer. Very close. After a 5-1 week this past week where the team was 5-0 against Pacific teams, the Lumberjacks now find themselves just a game behind 1st place San Fernando and are in 2nd place. Another spot the franchise hasn't really found itself.

"Well, we did go 2-0 to start the season so we were technically tied for first at that point" commented Lumberjacks GM Chris Wilson. "But yeah, this far into the season we've not really experienced this. But we had hoped this was a better team and so far they are showing it. But we still have a long, long way to go this year."

The club will play San Fernando tonight with a chance to get back into a first place tie in the Pacific division.

A huge reason for the team's 5-1 run last week was the play off rookie Arthur Daniel, filling in for the injured Miguel Cortez in centerfield. In his first ever big league games, Daniel hit .467/.636/.600 with 7 hits that included 2 doubles. He also walked an impressive 7 times over his 6 games played and drove in 4 RBI. ON top of that, he played stellar defense in the outfield and produced an insane 0.6 WAR over his 6 games.

"You know how in football, when the starter gets injured and the backup comes in and plays well" joked Portland manager Pedro Medina. "I think we have a QB controversy in Portland. Cortez is our guy, but man Daniel played himself into being noticed for sure. Let's see how he does over the next couple of weeks before we make a roster decision. Cortez is still healing up and won't be back for another 7 to 14 days."

Portland wraps up its 3 game set with San Fernando tonight where it could find itself tied for first with a win. The club then travels to Vancouver and Valencia where it will inevitably lose all 6 and drop to the middle of the Pacific standings.