Even in the midst of the team's best start in a half a decade, Portland Lumberjacks General Manager Chris Wilson was displeased with his team's performance this week in front of the home town fans. "How in the hell do we lose two games to Vancouver!?" Wilson was reported to having shouted in the GM suite after Portland's 8-1 loss at the hands of the Mounties Wednesday night. The 8-1 loss came just 24 hours after the club had lost to the Mounties 6-1. The back to back losses marked the first series loss by the Lumberjacks since the opening series versus San Fernando. "I really loathe that bunch" Wilson was quoted as concluding as he stormed out of the suite.
The two losses to the Mounties did come against the bottom 2 arms in the Portland rotation. Granted Murali Putachli, the rookie, turned in a solid performance in the opener, going 7 innings while allowed 3 runs. The loss was his first of the season. Alaric Wullenweber did salvage the finale and give the Lumberjacks the win in the closing game to at least give reason to be slightly more optimistic.
"Nope, I want all 3 wins. Yeah, we got one, but that doesn't make up for the other two. It's unacceptable. Vancouver is in the basement and we need to keep them there. Don't give them any hope. I'm not happy."
Portland did manage to follow the series loss to Vancouver by sweeping the only other team to take a series against them this year in San Fernando. Portland outscored the Bears 13-2 in the series which included back to back shutouts by the pitching staff.
"I don't share the same animosity that our general manager has towards Vancouver" commented Sandy Mounds after the sweep of the Bears. "But I've not been in the league as long as he has either. There are a lot of underlying factors and festering hatreds that have built up in him over the last 5 decades. If he wants to sweep Vancouver and never lose, then that's what we'll continue to try and do. But my advice to the fans is to just enjoy the ride. It's a lovely ride from on top."
