NINE TAKE THREE OF FOUR FROM LUMBERJACKS
Mendoza Injured
For the first time ever, the Yellow Springs Nine traveled to Portland’s ballpark, and left “The Trail in Multnomah” with three victories in four attempts. The dark cloud in the series was the loss of rookie outfielder Ricardo Mendoza, who strained an oblique and could be lost for a month or more.
The series opener went to the Nine by a 5-0 score after YS9 set the tone by dropping three runs on the Lumberjacks in the first inning—two coming on a Mendoza double. Starter Ernesto Ramos dominated the Portland bats, striking out 9 in 7 scoreless innings. Adam Barnard closed out the game with two additional scoreless. In a game that saw the debut of rookie Jim Des Jardien, the Nine also took the second leg of the series on the strength of a big 7th inning outburst. Dong-po Thum and Lucas McNeill did n most of the damage, combining to go 6-9, Thum with a pair of doubles and a triple. “He’s one of the most exciting players we’ve seen here in a long time,” said Voice of the Nine Melissa Lester. Luis Colon pitched seven strong innings to earn his first victory of the season.
The third game of the series was played under a closed roof, and left the club in dark circumstances that included being tagged with a 5-1 defeat. Carlos Valle, starting on short rest, did not fare well, and the bats took the night off. To add insult to injury, Thum was caught stealing for the first time this season, after seven successful tries.
Rebounding, though, the Nine used get-away day to pound Portland pitchers for even runs in four innings, winning the final game 8-4, Adam Barnard earning his first victory with a workmanlike start.
Manager Mentions: “This is a fun park to play in,” said manager Bill Inkster, noting without noting that it was good to be in a place where the fans merely cheered for the opponent rather than called for his Lousy Loserville-losing Head. He also had good things to say about Barnard, who would make the team immediately better if he could hold down the #5 slot for a few solid months until, knock on wood, the kids can come up.
Fan Blasts: A three-win series resulted in the club carrying an 8-6 record into a two game series with Seattle this Tuesday and Wednesday. “We don’t care,” said a representative of Nine Fans First, a new fan group spawned from the most radical wings of several other fan groups. “Don’t expect anyone to come to a game until you beat Louisville. Ever.” Others were a bit more direct.
Next Stop for the Nine Train: Back home for two games with Seattle.
Starter PQS:
| Game | 6+ IP | H < IP | 5K | 3K => BB | 0 HR | Total PQS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ramos | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | Colon | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Valle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Barnard | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Off Topic
9-Notes:
Pena Debut
Deemed "Splashy"
Pena Debut
Deemed "Splashy"
- Mendoza's injury sidelines the young star just as he was getting his feet underneath him, having gone 4 for his last 7 AB, with two doubles.
- Rookie Jim Des Jardien, acquired from Boise in the off-season, made his debut with two games, going 2-10 with a pair of RBI. He also threw a runner out on the bases. Scouts say he’s got the arm to play right field, but that would move John Ginn to left, a step the team seems unwilling to take.
- Shortstop Luis Pena has already posted a +1.6 Zone rating—a figure no one is surprised about. What they are surprised at is the .397/.478/.603 slash that has come with seven doubles, a triple, and a homer. “He can eat crackers on my sofa any day of the week,” Melissa Lester said during one of his at bats. Rumors of a social engagement are circling.
- After being pummeled as a opener, lefty reliever worked a scoreless inning to drop his ERA to 22.5.
- The YS9 front office announced that Andy McKinney has been recalled from AAA while Ricardo Mendoza mends. "Thank Sweet Baby James that we didn't trade him," said Lester's broadcast booth partner Frankie Franklin. Rumors of a social engagement are circling.
