Portland Raccoons (ABL)

[Westheim]

Our magic number is 18 going into the penultimate home stand of the season. After that is a tough visit to the Condors, which could or could not cost us some games.

Raccoons (85-55) vs. Indians (68-72)

Forest Hartley was the only right-handed batter the Indians mustered for the opener against Steven Berry. Arthur Young started for them, having over 6 K/9, but over 7 BB/9! Berry was roughed up early on. After three innings, the Indians led 4-0. They loaded the bags again in the fifth. Cordero came in and was lucky to get a double play grounder, home and first, to end the inning. The Raccoons didn’t get to Young until the bottom 5th, where they scored three runs, but they would not recover from the early damage, leaving the bases loaded in the eighth and a runner on second in the ninth. 4-3 Indians. Johnston 2-3, BB, 2 RBI; Dawson (PH) 1-1, 2B; Suto 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K;

The Coons took a first inning lead in the middle game, Dawson driving in Gonzalez. The team had to scramble badly against the Indians again, led 2-0, but Raúl Vazquez hit a game-tying home run off Carlos Reyes in the sixth. We however had Mark Dawson, who hit #20 of the year, a solo shot to left in the bottom 6th. West got an extra run from Osanai to work with in the ninth, and also got support from the Indians’ Francisco Lopez, who got caught in a rundown and was tagged out. West held on, and the Coons won, 4-2. Johnston 2-4; Dawson 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Reyes 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, W (11-6);

In the rubber game, the Raccoons got a run before they ever got a hit, three walks and an RBI groundout by Reader in the bottom 2nd. Daniel Hall had the first hit for the team, a double in the third, and Osanai followed that up with his 32nd home run of the season. Kisho Saito started off strong like a bear, mowing down the Indians in order the first time through the lineup, and striking out five. But the deeper he went, the more the Indians got to him. Higgins couldn’t make a critical play in the top 6th, which was scored an infield single, and Vinson didn’t make a throw on a base stealing attempt at all in the same inning, where the Indians cut a 3-0 lead to 3-2. Dawson and Higgins countered with back-to-back bombs in the bottom 6th. Top 7th: one on, one out, 2B Jorge Salazar flew to shallow left. Daniel Hall rushed in and made a great sliding grab, before tumbling once over. He had to leave the game. But it got worse. Matthews and Burnett both walked a man in the eighth. Lagarde came in, but a single allowed a runner to score, and Dumont tried to make an extra hard throw trying to get a runner going first to third. He also left the game in pain. Neil Reece was in the game and singled to start the eighth, then went to third on Osanai’s single. Next, he went to the clubhouse, also hurt. Miranda came in, scored, and played third in the ninth inning with Dawson filling up the deserted outfield. 6-3 Raccoons. Reece 1-1; Osanai 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Dawson 1-2, BB, HR, 2 RBI; Saito 7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, W (17-3); Lagarde 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, SV (4);

Three outfielders down within three innings. Amazin’. Now the injury summary: Neil Reece apparently hurt his back sliding into third base. He’s DTD for a week or so. Daniel Hall hurt his wrist fairly good, and will hit the DL with wrist tendinitis, however he should be able to return in time for the post season, hopefully. Oh, god, pleeeease …! Unfortunately, Daniel Dumont won’t return this year, as he’s out with elbow inflammation and is expected to be out for five weeks. In five weeks, somebody’s gonna hoist a trophy already. At this point, across the system, nine players were on the DL, including six outfielders, and everybody named Daniel in the entire organization.

There are still good news: the Canadiens dropped two of three closely contested games against Milwaukee, and our magic number was cut from 18 to 14.

We made additional callups to Ben O’Morrissey and Marcos Costello, and Mark Dawson will play a lot of outfield the next few weeks.

Raccoons (87-56) vs. Loggers (50-92)

Costello was right in the lineup in the opener against righty Davis Sims. Jesus Jimenez hit a 2-piece in the first inning, like he had something against Wade extending the W record for the Raccoons. The Coons barely managed to tie the game by the sixth, but Wade fell victim to increased Loggers offense and bad control in the seventh, and Martinez did nothing to help him out. Three runs scored. Our bullpen then came up with one of those ultra-funny 5-run innings in the top 9th to blow out the game completely. 10-2 Loggers. Higgins 2-4, 2 2B; Vinson 2-4, RBI;

Game 2, and Jason Turner was not in sync with himself. The Loggers left the bases loaded in the first, and two on in the second and third. Osanai and Quinn took care of an early 2-0 lead, and Quinn hit an RBI single in the fifth to make it 3-0. Turner was all used up after six innings of high-traffic shutout ball. In contrast to the day before, the bullpen did a stellar job this time around, and held on to the win well. 4-0 Raccoons. Gonzalez 2-3, BB, 2 2B; Cordero 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K;

The party originally scheduled for the day before, took place this evening. The reason was very special indeed: this 4-0 shutout of the Loggers marks the Raccoons’ 1,000th ABL victory! They are only the 20th team to reach that mark, though. The Titans, Pacifics (986 each), Aces (983), and Loggers (894) are still waiting for it.

The Canadiens had also split their series against New York so far (winning first and losing after that), so the magic number was now 12 and the gap still six and a half games.

Game 3. Berry was throwing a hot ball, racking up K’s, but somehow the Loggers still got the better of him. Berry scored their go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the second. Pitcher Judd Montgomery homered off him in the fifth. Just before that, Berry had flown out to deep center with two men on and two out. The Raccoons overall were terrible at the plate, despite Montgomery walking five. They had their first two men on twice, and didn’t score. They either hit into a killing double play or left two on in five innings in total. Despite them trailing only 3-0 through the middle innings, they looked hopelessly lost against a hopeless last place team. 3-0 Loggers. Gonzalez 2-4, BB, 2B;

As ungloriously as possible, Steven Berry set a new franchise records for strikeouts as he fanned 12 over seven innings, breaking the previous record of 11 K’s held by Kisho Saito (twice) and Logan Evans. The ABL record are 14 K’s in a single game.

Another game at home, and hopefully not another shameful loss – but things went very wrong very early. Reyes put two on in the top 1st, then fell to a 3-run home run by the increasingly annoying Jesus Jimenez. Reader hit an RBI triple in the bottom 2nd and was scored himself by Stephen Hall to keep the game close, 3-2. And yet, they failed to hurt 18-game loser Neil Stewart. The score remained 3-2 Loggers through seven. Ken Burnett caused two runs in the top 8th, before the Raccoons made some noise against Stewart in the bottom 8th. With one out, Higgins, Dawson, Osanai, and Quinn reached base after another, putting the go-ahead run in Quinn at first. Bases loaded for Johnston – flew out to short left. Reader grounded out. Bottom 9th: Stephen Hall drew a leadoff walk. Jeff Martin pinch hit for Matthews and singled to left. Tying runs on, nobody out. Gonzalez’ grounder was just beaten out by everybody for an infield single. Bases loaded, nobody out. Josh Cook had replaced Vinson earlier in the game and was next. He popped out, and Mark Dawson grounded into a double play (AS ALWAYS!!!) and thus we lost another 4-game set against the Loggers. 5-3 Loggers. Gonzalez 2-5; Higgins (PH) 1-1; Dawson 3-4, BB; Martin (PH) 1-1; Matthews 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K;

The Raccoons had to consider themselves lucky that the Canadiens also lost the last two games of their series against the Crusaders. Magic number at 10. Oh, just where it could have been …!

In other news

September 10 – In his seventh big league start, and second this season, SFB Pepe Martinez (2-0, 3.12 ERA) 3-hits the Aces in a 6-0 win.
September 11 – VAN 2B David Brewer (.321, 4 HR, 58 RBI) will miss the remaining regular season with an oblique strain.

Complaints and stuff

Apart from losing half our outfielders, we set a record for winning games against a divisional rival in a single season, with 14 against the Indians this year. We had previously won 13 against the Titans (1988) and Crusaders (1987).

Our AA team made the playoffs this year, but unfortunately had lost a few key players like outfielder Daniel Camus in September. Camus is still on the prospect list in our organization, but his star is sinking.

Next: Condors away, then home stand against Aces, Crusaders, Titans, and then a final road series against the Canadiens. The Canadiens play the Aces, Condors, Titans, Indians, and well … us. Much overlap here.

[Westheim]

We called up AAA SP Jose Fernandez. The AAA season was ending this day, and the team had not made the playoffs. Fernandez, 26, had gone 15-13 with a 4.08 ERA in 30 starts this year and would get two starts to stretch out our other starters a bit. There were 15 games left and Saito was due up (and would start game 1, Fernandez scheduled for game 2). Giving Saito and Wade only two starts down the road would be quite a task. Better secure the division first.

Fernandez had been an international discovery from Mexico, signed in December of 1984.

Raccoons (88-59) @ Condors (83-63)

Saito was pierced early by the three fellow Japanese the Condors batted 1st, 3rd, and 4th in the lineup: C Shimpei Iwamoto, RF Yoshinobu Ishizaki, and CF Tadanobu Sakaguchi, who put two runs on him. Saito was off the whole game, pitching six innings, walking five, and falling 3-0 behind. The Raccoons didn’t get a hit until the fifth against “Butcher” Haines, and were easily shut out by dominant pitching. Haines struck out eight in eight frames of 2-hit ball, and we had three hits in total. 3-0 Condors, and they had only four hits. Martin (PH) 0-0, BB; that’s as much performance was worth mentioning here.

Where had our offense gone!? Just in time for the stretch drive towards the postseason, great!

Jose Fernandez made his debut against Woody Roberts (14-9, 2.28 ERA), whose ERA mark led the Continental League this season. Outta the blue, the Coons threw ink stains at Roberts’ ERA. To start the middle game, Johnston doubled, Gonzalez walked, and Dawson hit a roundtripper to give the team a 3-0 lead. While Dawson’s bat had grown teeth the last few days and by the fifth he was only the triple shy of another cycle, Fernandez could not hold on to the lead. Ill control, no bite on the pitches, a sharp triple by Felix Velez in the sixth tied the game, 4-4, and left Velez on third with no outs. Bentley struck out two, before a throwing error by Gonzalez scored Velez to give the Condors a lead. But the Coons bounced back, whipping reliever Makoto Kogawa in the top 7th. Dawson scored Johnston from second with a single, before they loaded the bags with one out. Higgins hit a single into right for the go-ahead run. Reece and Costello came up with two more singles. With two down, Johnston hit his second double of the inning, and Quinn pinch hit for Gonzalez for a double. Finally, Jim Carter got Dawson to ground out. Eight runs across in the inning! With two out in the top 9th, Johnston came to the plate once more. He doubled into the left field corner, his fourth double of the game. The Raccoons took this one, 12-5 over the Condors! Johnston 4-5, BB, 4 2B, RBI; Quinn (PH) 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI; Dawson 4-5, HR, 2B, 5 RBI; Reece 2-5, RBI; Costello 2-4, BB, 2 RBI; Matthews 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K;

Glenn Johnston’s four doubles in a single game sets a new Raccoons record and ties the Continental League record, shared with Seitaro Ine and Alfonso Marte. The ABL record? Six doubles, achieved in 1982 by the now retired Max Reynolds.

Costello’s 2-run single in the top 7th of this game broke the franchise record for runs in a season (715 in 1988). We now have 720 this year, and counting.

Scott Wade chased #21, still, but Hector Atilano’s leadoff homer in the bottom 2nd began to nail his coffin. Wade was nowhere near where he needed to be and soon tied a death by a thousand tiny cuts. His opposite, Jose Macias, homered off him in the fifth, to make things even worse. Wade never got out of the fifth, and the Raccoons never got into a position to score against Macias. The offense the day before had merely been an anomaly, and here came the part of regressing towards the mean, which recently meant: very little. The Condors led 3-0 into the ninth. Osanai led off with a homer off Jon Butler, and Quinn doubled to the base of the wall in right center. Suddenly the tying run came to the plate in David Vinson, but he grounded out, as did Reader. Martin pinch hit for O’Morrissey and doubled. Tying run at second, two down. Dadswell pinch hit in the pitcher’s spot and singled to shallow right. Martin held. Higgins lined out to short. 3-2 Condors. Osanai 2-4, HR, 2B, RBI; Martin (PH) 1-1, 2B, RBI; Dadswell (PH) 1-1; Burnett 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K;

Bah! No offense! No offense! Mark Dawson has a 13-game hitting streak, but the rest doesn’t offer anything!

The Canadiens took two of three against the Aces, coming to within 5.5 games with a magic number of 8. Next, we had an off day, while the Canadiens started their series against the Condors on Monday, while the Aces didn’t head our way until Tuesday. Raimundo Beato shut out the Condors in the opener in Tijuana, and our lead was down to 5.0 games.

Raccoons (89-61) vs. Aces (70-79)

The Aces came to town and things just kept going wrong. Jason Turner fell behind 2-0 in the top 1st of the opener on a Ira Houston home run. Turner would strike out ten, but surrendered two homers and three runs in six innings. The Raccoons once again had nothing offensively. Things only got more horrible in the seventh, where the Aces hit three homers off the bullpen and added six runs. Fans left the park dejectedly, as the team had just entered collapse mode. The Aces added three in the eighth, and another home run, as they completed a 13-1 smothering. Most shameful was pitcher Antonio Lopez hitting a ninth inning home run off Grant West. Johnston 3-4, 2B, RBI;

Game 2 saw the Aces’ “Icon” Allen ejected in the first inning for arguing a strike three call. Berry still fell behind 1-0 in the third, but oldie Miguel Sanchez came apart in the fourth. Higgins singled, stole second, Martin walked, Reece singled, Dadswell walked. One run in, game tied, bases loaded, still nobody out. They only managed one more run. Thanks to a leadoff walk in the top 6th and Dadswell letting steal the runner third base without even trying to make a throw, the Aces tied the game in the sixth. Top 8th. Goodman surrendered a leadoff triple to snail-paced 1B Mauro Granados. The runner scored of course, and when Osanai homered in the bottom 8th, he barely re-tied the game. Extra innings, where Bentley put the first two men on with walks in the top 11th. Lagarde came in and added two more walks. Higgins walked in the bottom 11th and Martin’s double put two in scoring position. Nobody out. Neil Reece sunk a single into short right to score Higgins. Winning run on first, still nobody out. Vinson’s pinch hit 1-out single tied the game. Closer Kent Battle plunked Gonzalez with two out to load the bags, Dawson up. Popped out. Pain continued. Ended in the 13th. Winning run was on. But: 6-5 Aces. Osanai 2-6, HR, RBI; Reece 4-6, RBI; Vinson (PH) 1-2, RBI;

The Aces then had their starter Xavier Mayes battered for seven runs in the first two innings in the last game. Dawson’s 2-run homer in the bottom 1st extended his hitting streak to 16 games. The Aces steadily nibbled off that lead to the point where the Raccoons led 7-3 after the top 6th, but Dawson added two with a 2-out double in the bottom 6th. In this red-hot state, Dawson could win games all on his own. The Aces suffered a bullpen meltdown with another huge inning in the bottom 7th with four runs across and the Raccoons won this one in a blowout, 13-4. Johnston 4-5, 2 RBI; Dawson 2-5, HR, 2B, 4 RBI; Quinn 2-5, 2 RBI; Vinson 2-3, 2 BB; Miranda 2-3, 2 BB; Dadswell (PH) 1-1, RBI;

The Canadiens split the latter two of their series against the Condors.

In other news

September 15 – At only 22 years of age, the Loggers CF Emilio Román already enters the record books, by HITTING FOR THE CYCLE against the Bayhawks. Román goes 4-5 with 5 RBI in a 9-4 win over San Francisco. Román is batting .244 with 7 HR and 47 RBI in his sophomore season.
September 18 – VAN Raimundo Beato (13-13, 4.58 ERA) gives his all to get his team to the postseason, 2-hitting the Condors in a 4-0 win.
September 20 – Atlanta’s Michael Root hits a 2-run home run off BOS Luis De jesus in the top 5th of a 9-6 loss to the Titans, becoming the first players to hit 40 home runs in a single season.
September 20 – DEN Lazaro Alba (12-12, 4.29 ERA) silences the playoff-bound Blue Sox, 3-hitting them to a 3-0 victory.

Complaints and stuff

That’s 33-34 in runs scored/against and 2-4 in games this week. Great. Great, that – that’s exactly how really great teams win championships. And reach greatness.

Everything’s goin’ to hell.

Frustration.

[Westheim]

Come along for a walk down that road on the edge of town. Is it Winner’s Way or just the Boulevard of Broken Dreams?

Raccoons (90-63) vs. Crusaders (78-74)

In a perfect world, we would hold at least four games of our lead over the Canadiens into the final series of the year in Vancouver. When was the world ever perfect?

The series started with a much struggling Kisho Saito. Pedro Villa hit home runs in his first two AB’s in the game, and Edward Snyder also hit a home run off Saito. There was nothing left of the strikeout artiste of the early summer. Saito was just as used up this September as he had been last September, and he lasted only five innings, leaving 4-1 behind. The Raccoons offense was careful to do no harm, and they eventually lost 4-2. All runs in the game were scored with the long ball. Osanai 2-4; Quinn (PH) 1-1, HR, RBI; Martinez 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K;

Only good news: the Canadiens also lost 4-2 in Boston. Magic number: 5; Also, Daniel Hall’s wrist is healing rather well and he should be available to return to the team for the Vancouver trip.

Game 2 was another start for Fernandez. Since he was excruciatingly awful, it was also his last start. The only reason the Crusaders didn’t turn him inside out by the third inning was bad base running and a few good plays by the Raccoons defense. They crushed him in the fifth inning, scoring four runs for a 5-1 lead. The offensively pathetic Raccoons had no means to recover from that blow, although they brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh and ninth innings. 5-3 Crusaders. Higgins 3-5, HR, RBI; Quinn 3-4, 2B, RBI; Burnett 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K;

The Canadiens lost again, 7-3, in Boston, and they made four errors in that game. Magic number: 4. Maybe it’s not about the best team, but about the least terrible team in the end? Either way, we lost Albert Matthews in this game, but he was not diagnosed yet.

Game 3. Any chance for a win here? Scott Wade went, so with the kind of results he had had recently: no. At least there was ample of run support early on against Hector Lara. Higgins and Dawson both had 2-run, 2-out singles in the first and second inning, respectively and they led 5-0 in total after two innings. Wade gave up two runs in the fourth, but overall cruised well into the eighth inning, where misplays and an error (Johnston) cost two runs, one unearned. But the Raccoons had scored along with the Crusaders this time and led 9-4 when Wade departed. Bentley actually managed to pitch a scoreless inning in the ninth. 9-4 Raccoons. This time around, they had 19 hits. Johnston 3-5, RBI; Gonzalez 2-5; Dawson 2-4, 4 RBI; Osanai 3-5; Quinn 2-5; Higgins 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI; Martin 2-4, BB;

The Canadiens won 6-3 in Boston. Magic number: 3. Wade has won number 21. Unless Washington’s Jesus Lopez starts and wins two more games, he will be the ABL’s win king on his own.

We called up Toru Fujita from AAA, a 23-year old starting pitcher. He had been 7-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 24 games started for St. Petersburg this year. I was still trying to keep Saito and Wade out of the Canadiens series (unless the situation would force using the A-Team) so they could start 1-2 in the CLCS. I would need at least one more spot start from somebody other than Jose Fernandez, who was sent into the holidays.

Fujita has been an international discovery by the Stars. We acquired him last July when we unloaded our roster.

Raccoons (91-65) vs. Titans (79-77)

Fujita started the opener of the Titans series, but this was another major league debut that would not have books written about it. After two shaky innings to start it, Fujita came undone in the third and fell to a grand slam by Zahid Mashwanis, Boston’s Mr. Annoying. Fujita got the hook in the fifth, never to be seen again, and the Titans led 6-0. The Raccoons unleashed 2-out terror with five 2-out base hits in the bottom 6th, scoring four runs. Down 7-4, Johnston hit a 1-out double in the bottom 7th. Gonzalez walked, and Dawson hit a double to center that scored Johnston and put the tying runs in scoring position, but Osanai scored only Gonzalez on a groundout and Dawson was left on when Quinn struck out. Lagarde came in to pitch the eighth, then left without getting an out and two runs across. The bullpen kept giving away presents to the Titans and the Raccoons lost 11-7. Johnston 2-5, 2 2B; Dawson 2-5, 2 2B, RBI; Quinn 2-4, RBI; Higgins 2-4, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI; Martin 2-4, RBI; Reader 1-2, RBI;

The Canadiens were also routed, 10-7, by the Indians. Magic number: 2.

Tetsu Osanai collected his 137th RBI of the season with the groundout in the seventh, breaking the previous Continental League record held by Ralph Nixon (NYC, 1978) and Tom McDonald (ATL, 1985). He has three ribbies to collect to tie the ABL record by Gabriel Cruz.

Game 2. The bottom of the order with Vinson and Reader produced two runs on RBI groundouts in the bottom 2nd to give Jason Turner a lead. Turner scattered a fair number of runners over his start, but the Titans were unable to do damage at any time. Vinson and Reader again produced two runs in the sixth and Mark Dawson hit his 24th homer for two runs and his 100th RBI of the year in the bottom 7th. (With the Canadiens leading 3-1 against the Indians through five, this currently was not the clinching game) Reader added another run in the eighth. Turner finished what he started, tossing a rare 9-hit shutout. Johnston 2-3, BB; Quinn 2-4; Reece 3-4, 2B; Vinson 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Reader 2-4, 3 RBI; Turner 9.0 IP, 9 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K, W (12-5);

Turner had worked quickly despite 11 runners on base, and the game ended when the eighth inning in Vancouver was just beginning. Still up 3-1, the Canadiens had Ruben Prado pitching. The Indians had three straight singles to start the inning. R.J. Stinton grounded out, but scored a run, and then Raúl Vazquez singled to tie the game. The Indians batted through the lineup in the inning, scored four runs, and eventually won 6-3.

And the Portland Raccoons were in the postseason!! (tiny firework going off)

With the division clinched, Yasushi Suto made a spot start in the rubber game. He worked himself up a bit early on, but eventually did a solid job, going five innings with one run to the Titans. He punched out Mashwanis, who represented the tying run, to end the fifth. The Coons led 3-1, but Antonio Gonzalez instantly upped the lead to 4-1 with a leadoff homer in the sixth. That was enough to win with a stellar four innings by the bullpen. 4-1 Raccoons. Dawson 2-3, BB, HR, RBI; Osanai 2-4; Higgins 2-3, BB, 2B; O’Morrissey (PH) 1-1; Burnett 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K;

It also took this long to get an injury report on Albert Matthews: shoulder inflammation, season over. Bummer.

Raccoons (93-66) @ Canadiens (87-72)

The series had become meaningless now, although a week earlier, there had not been anything I had feared more than coming in with a magic number of 2. Daniel Hall returned from the DL to take over left field again from Johnston, who moved back to center.

Game 1 saw both teams scoring single runs quite a lot. The Canadiens took two leads in the third and fourth, only for the Coons to tie it back instantly each time. The Canadiens took another lead, 3-2, in the bottom 5th. Berry was on the mound and rapidly (rabidly?) wild, walking five and punching out seven in a six-inning outing. Gonzalez got on to start the top 8th. Tia Fa threw not one, but two wild pitches and Osanai then could tie the game with his single to right. All the effort was going straight to the trash can, though. Goodman walked Carlos Gonsales in the ninth, who was instantly replaced by the fast Melvin Greene to run. One single off Goodman, one off Lagarde, and Greene scored and the Canadiens walked off. 4-3 Canadiens. Gonzalez 2-4, 2B, RBI; D. Hall 2-4, 2B;

In the middle game the Furballs found a few new creative ways early on to strand runners, but then broke through in the fourth with a Daniel Hall single and then a 2-run shot by Tetsu Osanai, which matched Gabriel Cruz’ old mark of 35 homers (already superseded by Michael Root, but still) and tied Cruz’ still valid 140 RBI’s in a season. Carlos Reyes dominated the Canadiens through four innings, before he was blown up in the fifth for three runs and further in the sixth. O’Morrissey started at third, made an error in the sixth, and punched his ticket to the minor leagues, no return ticket included. The Coons returned in the top 7th. Reader pinch hit for O’Morrissey with two down and reached base with a single. Costello pinch hit in the #9 hole and hit an RBI double, and Johnston’s RBI single tied the game. Then came Gonzalez and hit another home run and the Raccoons had a lead. They did not give it away anymore, but instead added more offense, with Vinson hitting a 2-out, 3-run double in the top 9th. 10-4 Raccoons. Johnston 2-5, RBI; Osanai 2-5, HR, 2 RBI; Higgins 2-4, BB; Vinson 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI; Reader (PH) 2-3, RBI; Costello (PH) 1-1, 2B, RBI; Cordero 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, SV (1);

With the division decided, Yasushi Suto came out for another start in the final game of the season. That way, we had Saito and Wade available for the first two games of the CLCS, presumably taking place in Atlanta (the Knights held a 1-win advantage going into the final game).

Both teams got an early run in the finale. Dawson upped the Furballs’ ambitions with a 2-run shot in the sixth. Suto pitched into the seventh, when a hit and a walk got him out of the game. One of the runs scored against Goodman, but the Coons held on to a 3-2 lead. A sign that things weren’t meant to be appeared in the eighth with two freak hits off Juan Martinez to start the inning. Burnett came in and the Canadiens sent right-hander Carlos Gonsales who popped out to Osanai for the second out. Hokichi Endo pinch hit for the pitcher and hurled a flaming rocket into deep right – CAUGHT by Quinn!! Grant West in the ninth didn’t give the Canadiens any hope – the Raccoons would take this series. 3-2 Furballs. Gonzalez 2-5; Dawson 2-4, HR, 3 RBI; S. Hall (PH) 1-1;

In other news

September 22 – RIC SP Craig Hansen (19-8, 2.73 ERA) has his season end early due to shoulder inflammation.
September 22 – WAS CF Tomas Maguey (.305, 4 HR, 56 RBI) also goes into the off season early with a torn calf muscle.
September 24 – The Capitals fall victims to a 6-run seventh by the Cyclones and lose 7-4. Despite the Blue Sox losing in Topeka, the FL East is thus decided in favor of the Blue Sox. They will make their ABL-leading sixth playoff appearance, all in the last seven years, and fourth in a row.
September 25 – The Wolves also make the playoffs by virtue of somebody else losing. While the Wolves a 3-hit in a 7-0 defeat to Sioux Falls, the Stars beat the Pacifics 4-1, eliminating the last remaining contender in the FL West. The Gold Sox had gone down the previous day. It is the first postseason appearance for the Wolves, leaving four teams without a visit to October ball: Titans, Loggers, Aces, and Capitals;
September 26 – TOP 1B Edgardo Garza (.339, 23 HR, 105 RBI) has a 20-game hitting streak going after a 2-hit day against the Cyclones.
September 27 – Garza’s hitting streak ends right away at 20 games, also by the hands of the Cyclones.
September 28 – The Knights beat the Aces 6-3 to complete the playoff field. For the Knights it will be the fourth playoff appearance and the third in the last four years.
October 1 – Late blow: ATL 3B Luis Barrera (.282, 10 HR, 53 RBI) got hurt and will miss the postseason with a strained hip muscle. In the same game, 38-year old Juan “Mauler” Correa (8-11, 4.69 ERA) in what could well be his final appearance, 5-hits the Falcons in a 10-0 rout. Correa won 261 games in his career.

Complaints and stuff

The 95-67 mark ties our franchise best value from 1983. Tetsu Osanai ties 140 RBI’s for the ABL record. Scott Wade was the only pitcher with 20+ wins this year. The Coons as a team led the CL in average, slugging, hits, home runs, and our pitchers gave away the least walks. We ranked top 3 in most batting and pitching categories with the exception of OBP, walks drawn, bullpen ERA and a few others.

Osanai and Atlanta’s Root combined to lead most hitting categories. Wade, Turner, and Saito all ranked high on several leaderboards and Reyes also featured on some.

Next: PLAYOFFS!!!

[Westheim]

The Knights owned the Raccoons outright during the regular season, taking six of nine contests between the two teams. Their assortment of left-handed batters was fear-inducing and had broken Raccoons pitching more than once. Michael Root had banged a record 41 home runs this season, and fellow outfielder Sakutaro Ine and switch hitter Mario Rodriguez were also not to toy with. In Eddy Bailey and ex-Coon Dimian Barrios they also had a few high-OBP guys to drive home.

Their rotation was headed by Carlos Asquabal, who had led the CL in strikeouts this year, and Kiyohira Sasaki, who had helped defeat the Coons in the 1983 World Series when he was with the Stars. Juan Correa also hungered for another chance to reach greatness at 38 years of age. The bullpen had a few holes, but the backend was a tough beast to fight against.

If there was anything going in favor of the Raccoons, it was the fact that they had only Daniel Dumont, a 3rd/4th outfielder, and reliever Albert Matthews on the DL, while the Knights had been ravaged by injuries, missing three potent bats in Shoichi Fujino, Luis Barrera, and Marcinek Wodaj, as well as starting pitcher Glenn Ryan.

This was a team that had led the Continental League in many offensive categories this season, and the Raccoons pitchers were in for a few hot days.

---

One thing in advance: the game ****ed me over before the playoffs ever began by not allowing a 25th man on the playoff roster. There were only 23 players eligible from September 1, with Dumont and Matthews heading to the DL, and it only let me substitute one of them (adding Neil Reece) and now the Raccoons have to play a man short.

I’m pissed. I’m REALLY pissed.

---

1989 CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) @ Atlanta Knights (96-66)

Game 1 – Kisho Saito (17-5, 2.72 ERA) vs. Carlos Asquabal (19-7, 3.13 ERA)

The first blow to the Raccoons’ ambitions didn’t take long to be delivered. In the bottom 1st, with one out and one on, Sakutaro Ine lined hard into left field, and Daniel Hall made a great play. He also hurt a rib cage muscle, left the game, and was out for the rest of the playoffs.

-.-

Amongst strong performances by both pitchers, Saito was the first to crumble, hitting Valerio Saldana in the third inning. Saldana went to third on a single by Dimian Barrios, where he collided with a stubborn Mark Dawson. Saldana was out and injured, and thus out twice. Saldana’s replacement Mario Rodriguez scored in the inning, but Tetsu Osanai tied the game back in the top 4th with a sac fly.

Saito singled himself off Asquabal to start the top 6th, only the Coons’ third hit that day. Gonzalez was asked to bunt, but popped it up and Asquabal made an easy catch. Glenn Johnston had to hit something a long way to get the slow-footed Saito to score, and he launched a shot that went over Ine in left and fell in, bounced off the wall and away from Ine and ended up being a go-ahead RBI triple. Jeff Martin, who had replaced the fallen Hall, sacrificed him in.

Michael Root hit a 2-out double in the bottom 6th, but Saito struck out C Joreao Paulos to quell that threat and keep our 3-1 lead together. Saito went seven innings eventually on 113 pitches. Lagarde got the first two outs in the eighth, then was replaced by Goodman with Ine and Root up. Ine went to a full count, on which he took a huge rip – but missed. Side retired.

Top 9th: Osanai and Dawson both singled to start the inning. Higgins bunted them over. Goodman was in the #7 spot and replaced with Dadswell, who struck out. Vinson grounded out to leave the two men in scoring position. It didn’t matter, though. Grant West came in, and starting with Root retired the Knights in order.

Raccoons won, 3-1, to take the lead in the CLCS. Martin 1-2, 2B, RBI; Reece (PH) 1-1; Saito 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, W and 1-2;

Elsewhere: Wolves @ Blue Sox … 4-1 … (Wolves lead 1-0) … SAL Terry Murphy 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K;

Before game 2, Daniel Hall was moved to the DL for the rest of the month.

1989 CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) @ Atlanta Knights (96-66)

Game 2 – Scott Wade (21-6, 3.44 ERA) vs. Kiyohira Sasaki (17-5, 2.95 ERA)

We already had a hole in our lineup now. Dawson batted third, Quinn fifth, and Martin seventh (behind Higgins) for this game. Key here was how Wade would handle Ine and Root, who both owned him, hitting .385 and .500, respectively, both with a homer against him.

The Knights loaded the bases in the bottom 1st, despite Wade punching out Root, and only a great play by Dawson for the final out held the tie together. Bobby Quinn drew a leadoff walk in the top 2nd, stole second, and two outs later was picked off by Sasaki.

The bottom 3rd got the game really moving. A 1-out triple by Jesus Berrios got Wade in trouble, and Ine doubled to give the Knights a lead. Root popped to Gonzalez, who couldn’t catch it and the runners were on the corners. Eddy Bailey then flew into short left, where Quinn caught the ball. Ine tagged and moved for home, but Quinn’s momentum and an excellent throw beat him to the plate, where Ine collided with Vinson – and Ine was injured, and out.

Down 1-0, Johnston opened the fourth with a single, but Dawson just missed the stands behind right field, Root caught that one, and the inning fizzled out quickly. Back-to-back doubles by Jack Jackson and Juan Nunez gave the Knights a 2-0 lead in the bottom 4th. Higgins homered in the fifth, only the Coons’ second hit that day, 2-1 Knights.

Root was walked intentionally for the first time in the series in the bottom 5th with a runner on second and one out, but ultimately the strategy didn’t get the Raccoons very far, since the Knights still scored a run in the inning.

Wade was done after six innings, while Sasaki was motoring and striking out raw amounts of Furballs. He went seven frames and punched out nine. Tetsu Osanai struck out four times in the game, three times against Sasaki.

A leadoff triple by Jesus Berrios in the bottom 7th off Cordero did not lead to a run, as Cordero punched out two, including Root, and then got a grounder from Bailey. The Knights added a run in the eighth off Martinez. Dawson led off the top 9th with a double, but two outs later was still on third base. Higgins singled to score him, but Martin grounded out and the game was over.

4-2 Knights, series was tied heading to Portland. Higgins 3-4, HR, 2 RBI;

Elsewhere: Wolves @ Blue Sox … 2-0 … (Wolves lead 2-0) … SAL Dragoljub Djukic 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K; NAS Steve Thompson 9.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K;

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Next: PLAYOFFS!!!

What happened to the other guy that used to write this dynasty? His team was never in the playoffs.

Playoffs? We're just hoping to win a game. Playoffs!?!

[Westheim]

1989 CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) vs. Atlanta Knights (96-66)

Game 3 – Jason Turner (12-5, 2.90 ERA) vs. Juan Correa (8-11, 4.69 ERA)

This was not quite the Juan Correa of old, but still not a pushover. And Turner had to hold up.

The Raccoons loaded the bags in the bottom 1st before Higgins shot a 2-out double up the right field line for an early 2-0 lead.

Turner was perfect the first time through the Knights lineup, before Berrios knocked a liner into short left in the top 4th, but he ended up stranded on second base. Turner was extremely nasty to the Knights, who hardly ever got a pitch to hit. They had one man on in the fifth, another single, but he was left. Root hit a flyer deep to right in the seventh, but Quinn caught that one before it could fall in.

All that the Raccoons needed was some offense, but after the 4-hit first inning, they had one more hit through seven. Correa had settled in nicely and was now dealing, too, and of course waiting for some offense from his team mates.

A walk to catcher Jack Jackson in the top 8th looked like a chance. Rodriguez grounded hard to first with one out, but Osanai made the play and took the out at second. Next up, Nunez flew into deep center, but Neil Reece made a wonderful play to end the inning.

Dawson hit a 2-out double in the bottom 8th off Correa, and although Osanai lined hard into right, Root caught it and the Coons did not score.

Turner initially remained in the game for the ninth, but walked Paulos and now West came in with the tying run already at the plate, but he retired the side in order, including Root for the final out. Most dangerous had been a fly ball by Berrios into deep center, but Reece got that one as well.

2-0 Raccoons on only six hits (still a record for them in this CLCS), and they also led the series, 2-1. Dawson 2-4, 2B; Higgins 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Turner 8.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K, W;

Elsewhere: Blue Sox @ Wolves … 2-1 … (Wolves lead 2-1)

1989 CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) vs. Atlanta Knights (96-66)

Game 4 – Steven Berry (9-8, 3.01 ERA) vs. Sixto Calderón (6-1, 3.21 ERA)

Sam Dadswell chose the most inopportune moment to come down with the flu: the night after game 3. He was DTD at least for the two games remaining in Portland. Hit harder was Sakutaro Ine, who was diagnosed with a torn medial collateral ligament and was not only out for the playoffs, but into the next summer!

Berry was selected over Reyes as starter for game 4, because he had much more punch in his arm than Reyes, who pitched more to contact, and even with the Knights having lost half their dangerous offense by now, you still didn’t want to pitch to contact against them. Berry had struck out 141 batters in 155.1 innings this year.

But something had happened to Berry in the last few days. He was unable to throw strikes at all. He walked the leadoff man Manuel Guzman to start the game. Guzman was thrown out stealing by Vinson. Berrios singled, Root reached on an error by Osanai. He walked the next three batters and Reyes was getting ready to enter the game belatedly. Berry then struck out Nunez to end the inning, but two men had scored. Bailey’s 2-out RBI single in the top 2nd was then the exit cue for Berry.

The bases were loaded for the Raccoons with one out in the bottom 2nd. Vinson flew out to center. With Reyes in the on-deck circle, Osanai tagged and made for home, but was thrown out. Ironically, Reyes would hit a single leading off the bottom 3rd, before becoming entangled in a double play.

While the Raccoons had no offense to speak off, Bailey homered off Reyes in the fourth. One batter later, Reyes then left the game with an oblique strain, and now the Knights could axe into and chop up the bullpen, gaining an advantage for game 5, too. Burnett entered, but was wild as well and walked the Knights in squadrons.

The Coons loaded the bags in the bottom 5th with two down, but Dawson laid down an embarrassing grounder for the final out. Bottom 6th, another attempt. Osanai reached on an error and got to third on a balk. Quinn walked, Higgins doubled into center. 4-1 Knights, two in scoring position, nobody out. Martin, Vinson, and Reece made three pathetic outs. Nobody scored. They again loaded the bases in the seventh and scored only one run against fifth starter Bernard Lepore. They were awful to watch. Fans were burying their faces in their hands, as the Knights went on to tie the series.

Cordero surrendered a 2-run homer to Barrios in the top 8th. In the bottom 8th, the Knights made two more errors and the Raccoons loaded the bags AGAIN with one out. Dawson up. Double. Play.

Justin Reader came up with two on and one out in the bottom 9th, and that lightly hitting backup infielder unloaded a 3-run homer of Guerrero into the seats. Mike Dye came in to close the affair, struck out Vinson, and then would have faced Martinez. The bench was empty, and so Scott Wade, a rather decent hitter, had to pinch hit. He grounded out.

Knights won, 6-5, tying the series. The Raccoons out-hit them 15-10, and the Knights committed SIX ERRORS, and that sorry excuse for a team here still couldn’t defeat them. That should be about the swing in momentum the Knights needed. Johnston 2-4, BB; Gonzalez 2-5; Osanai 2-5, RBI; Quinn 3-4, BB; Higgins 2-4, BB, 2B, RBI; Reader (PH) 1-2, HR, 3 RBI;

Elsewhere: Blue Sox @ Wolves … 6-8 … (Wolves lead 3-1) … Nashville blows a 6-1 lead after three; NAS Antonio Rodriguez 2-3, 2 BB, HR, 4 RBI;

1989 CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) vs. Atlanta Knights (96-66)

Game 5 – Kisho Saito vs. Carlos Asquabal

All eyes on Saito. He had to master the Knights again to give the team a chance in Atlanta.

But the game 5 Saito was not the game 1 Saito – he had been exchanged somewhere along the way. The game 5 Saito surrendered line drives in unseen numbers and was ravaged badly in the second inning, the Knights taking a 2-0 lead.

Now they had to get to Asquabal. But they didn’t. Asquabal mastered the Raccoons easily through the first four innings. Vinson got a 1-out single in the bottom 5th, his first hit in the series despite starting the fourth game already. Saito failed to bunt, then swung away and hit a double to right. The tying runs suddenly were in scoring position.

In this situation Gonzalez grounded between first and second. 2B Nunez stretched for it, got to it – but it glanced off the edge of his glove and into right field for an RBI single. Raccoons in business, Johnston up, but he struck out. Dawson grounded out. No offense.

The Knights loaded the bags in the sixth, but left them loaded when Rodriguez flew out to Reece, and Neil Reece then also tied the game with a 2-out RBI double scoring Osanai, who had only reached on an error. Vinson was walked intentionally to get to Saito. Reader pinch hit for him, and struck out.

The tie didn’t hold up for long. Goodman was singled off by Asquabal and the pitcher was driven in with a long double by Barrios. 3-2 Knights again in the seventh. Lagarde pitched two innings to keep it that way.

Bottom 9th against Mike Dye. Reece was to lead off, and he lined into shallow left. The tying run was on. With Vinson at the plate, Reece successfully stole second base. Dye’s 1-1 pitch met Vinson’s bat, but he grounded to third.

Here, right here, the Raccoons finally caught the break that had eluded them for the whole set at home. Barrios got to the grounder, Reece was going to third, Barrios shortly looked at him, but then went to first with the throw – and past first. Reece was awarded home on the throwing error and the winning run was at second base in Vinson.

Stephen Hall ran for Vinson, and Martin batted for Lagarde, leaving only the ailing Dadswell on the bench. Martin flew out to center and Hall went to third. One out. Dye walked Gonzalez intentionally to set up a double play, although he was right hander and now had to face Johnston. Glenn Johnston flew out to left, Hall had to hold. That left the game and Sam Dadswell’s well being in the hands of Mark Dawson.

Putting anything into Mark Dawson’s hands in this CLCS was not a good idea. Could he execute ONCE? Dye’s 2-0 pitch was grounded to the left side, where Bailey and Barrios converged – AND MISSED IT!!! Dawson singled into left, Hall came home, and the Raccoons walked off!!!

4-3 Raccoons. Furballs need to win one of two in Atlanta. Gonzalez 2-5, BB, RBI; Reece 2-4, RBI; Lagarde 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, W;

Elsewhere: Blue Sox @ Wolves … 5-1 … (Wolves lead 3-2)

Oregon Title Brawl anyone?

[Westheim]

Please note: to avoid spoiling the outcome of this game, and whether one team or the other wins, game 7, if there is one, will be in a separate post.

1989 CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) @ Atlanta Knights (96-66)

Game 6 – Scott Wade vs. Kiyohira Sasaki

The Raccoons had to chew up Sasaki here if they wanted to move along home, and most importantly avoid an anything-goes game 7 with a semi-rookie (no-hitter here, no-hitter there) on the mound for the Brownshirts.

For this game against the lefty Sasaki, we moved Neil Reece to bat second instead of Johnston, who moved down to sixth, and Higgins to seventh. The core of the order was not touched. All relievers were available, and Dadswell’s nose had stopped running, too.

The Knights were dealt another blow in the first inning with an injury to Jesus Berrios. Their bench was already heavily depopulated after injuries to Saldana and Ine in this series, and Berrios going down didn’t help them one ounce.

Unfortunately, the Raccoons still had to contribute themselves to get a W. Wade surrendered a leadoff single to Guzman, then walked Barrios. And walked Root. And walked Bartolo Vina. 1-0 Knights. Wade walked four in total in the inning and two runs scored. Oh, go[feeeeeps]

Higgins’ RBI triple in the top 2nd scored Osanai and cut the deficit in half. Gonzalez led off the third with a single. Reece walked. Dawson lined just over the jumping Nunez into right and the ball got past Root to the wall. Reece had to hold at third since even getting over Nunez had not been guaranteed, but the game was tied!

Osanai was next, and he had not had a lot of upside so far in this series, but singled to left to score the go-ahead run, Reece. Pressure mounting, the Raccoons could force mistakes now, as Sasaki threw a wild pitch that scored Dawson, 4-2. Osanai was on second with two outs. Higgins lined into left and Osanai was waved home and scored. Vinson was put on intentionally to collect the third out from Wade. Wade swung away at a good pitch to hit, DEEP to center, DEEP, VINA HUSTLING OUT, (shrieks) IT GOES OVER VINA’S HEAD!!

The park was paralyzed. Scott Wade hit a 2-run triple that made it 7-2, Sasaki almost collapsed on the mound, and was out of the game, and now the Raccoons were in command for the time being.

This however did not include Scott Wade. A run scored in the fourth and two were on with two out, but Root stepped in. This was the worst case. Setup man Nate Goodman entered in the fourth inning. Root wasn’t bothered. He just hit the 2-run double off Goodman.

7-5 now, and the tension was suffocating. Bottom 5th. Goodman allowed a bloop single to Bailey, then an RBI double to Jackson. Gone was the command. Martinez entered, surrendered two hits, and gone was the lead.

Gone was the dignity, too. The Knights scored five runs in the inning and took a 10-7 lead. Lepore was now in for the Knights and surrendered two runs in the sixth. Osanai left the tying run (Reece) on when he fouled out, and Reece left Gonzalez at second base in the eighth.

The Raccoons entered the top 9th still trailing 10-9. Dawson struck out against Dye, before Osanai hit a double. Quinn grounded out, Osanai went to third. Now it was on Johnston, but he wiggled out of the decision with a walk. Higgins came to the plate, the only Coon (apart from part-time Reece) hitting over .300 in the series.

He popped out.

Knights won, 10-9. Series tied. Gonzalez 2-5, 2B; Reece 2-4, BB, RBI; Osanai 3-5, 2 2B, RBI; Higgins 2-5, 3B, 2 RBI;

Elsewhere: Wolves @ Blue Sox … 4-3 (11) … (Wolves win 4-2) … Ennio Sabre’s 2-out single scores Brandon Bailey to complete the upset over the mighty Blue Sox;

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Westheim

He popped out.

Knights won, 10-9. Series tied.

Arrgggh. Come on, man. Baby needs shoes!

[Questdog]

I'm gonna keep my mouth shut, so I don't jinx anything.....

oops....

Oh, well, just one little quiet tet-suuuu, we need youuuuu......

[Westheim]

1989 CONTINENTAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) @ Atlanta Knights (96-66)

Game 7 – Jason Turner vs. Juan Correa

Higgins in leadoff, Dadswell behind the plate, Turner on the mound, and a wing and a prayer and right into it.

Earlier in the season, when he was called up, a newspaper in Portland had written a biting article about how Turner was a great talent, but honestly looked like 13 and not like he was able to pour himself a glass of milk, let alone face big league batters. That was before the no-hitter, though.

Turner struck out Guzman to start the bottom 1st, and the main goal remained not to give Michael Root a) men on base and b) good pitches to drive. Turner walked him on a cautious approach with two out, then got out of the inning.

While the Raccoons got a runner on in each of the first four innings, they never scored against Correa, who was shaking, but not collapsing. Turner led off the top 5th with a single under the glove of Bailey. Shortly, we were thinking about having Higgins bunt, but then had him swing away, right into a double play.

The Knights so far had been puzzled by Turner. They had no hits through five innings.

Bobby Quinn came up with something countable, a 2-out solo homer off Correa in the top 6th. 1-0 Coons. Cue the dramatic music right here.

Guzman led off the bottom 6th with a single, so no no-no today. Barrios grounded out and Guzman moved up, and Root didn’t get a chance to hit at all, being put on, despite him representing the go-ahead run. Guzman then tried to steal third, but was gunned down by Dadswell. Turner got Bailey to ground out to leave the inning, and also pitched a perfect seventh.

Two innings to go, still up 1-0. Correa was still in the game, but with one out, Dawson and Osanai got on. With Quinn next, fireballer and ex-Coon Gary Simmons came in. Quinn grounded right in front of the plate and Osanai was gunned down at second base. Corners, two out. Dadswell flew into the gap, where Michael Root appeared out of nowhere to catch the ball. Inning over.

Turner sat down the Knights in order in the bottom 8th, although Bob Goyer flew very deep into left, but Johnston reigned supreme out there. Lepore was in for the top 9th. Reece led off with a single and stole second base. Johnston singled into short center. Runners on the corners, nobody out. Turner was now pinch hit for with Vinson, but he struck out. Higgins came up and singled into left for an insurance run. Gonzalez’ single loaded the bags. Dawson grounded poorly, but Barrios’ only play was to first and a run scored! Osanai came up and flew to deep center, where Vina got the glove on it – and then didn’t! He dropped the ball, two runs scored, the game was blown up!!!

5-0 ahead, Lagarde was tasked with the final three outs. Barrios struck out. Root popped to Higgins. Eddy Bailey for all the glory in the world: He sent the first pitch he saw into center, Reece came on – and caught it.

5-0 Raccoons. Dawson 3-5, RBI; Quinn 3-5, HR, RBI; Reece 2-4, 2B; Turner 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K, W and 1-3; Lagarde 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K;

Ayyyyyyyyye!!! Next up: OREGON TITLE BRAWL!!

Originally Posted by Questdog

Oh, well, just one little quiet tet-suuuu, we need youuuuu......

Tet-SUUUU has unfortunately been a bit chilly in the first four games of the series. He got in some damage in the last games, but only Higgins and Quinn hit Big 'Uns in the series. Osanai's .680 OPS is rather modest so far.

The highlight at the plate was Higgins, without a doubt: .321/.345/.571 with 1 HR, 8 RBI.

By the way, Michael Root, the sole survivor of the fearsome left- and switch-hitters, batted .154 in this series, no homers, two RBI's. Once Ine fell, we could circumvent him as we pleased.

[Orcin]

Congrats! Look out Salem. Those Wolves will be sorry they tackled with the Raccoons.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Congrats! Look out Salem. Those Wolves will be sorry they tackled with the Raccoons.

That team is heavily built around starting pitching (including an old friend(?)) and could struggle offensively if they run into Saito or Turner. More detailed analysis tomorrow.

Here come the Raccoons,
we are no... um, baboons!
Amusement for the masses,
Wolves can kiss our furry tails.

May want to think that over once more.

[Questdog]

Reggie Jackson, otherwise known as Mr. October, didn't hit much in League Championship Series, but was unstoppable in the World Series, so maybe that's what Tet-suuuuu has an eye on......

By the way, my son is named Quinn, so I have a soft spot for Bobby......

[Westheim]

Tell me, how do I unknowingly add all those players you have an instant connection to?

If you plan to add any more children yourself, I'd suggest Daniel as a name.

Bah, how am I supposed to get through my five hours of work today with the World Series waiting behind those? I'm giddyyyyyy ...! What's even worse, this is the one evening I actually have some kind of social obligation, so if we go past the fifth game, things get tight.

Happy thoughts, happy thoughts. Furballs feasting on Wolves!

[Westheim]

Ben O’Morrissey was added to the playoff roster to replace the fallen Daniel Hall. Fallen, but not forgotten. (sobs)

We knew little about the Wolves roster and had not played against them during the regular season either. They had survived on pitching in the FL West, ranking in the top 5 in all categories but strikeouts (11th). Their offense was a very mixed bag. They didn’t hit for a high average, but doubles and home runs, struck out a lot, and couldn’t run. Raccoons Ballpark was going to suit them rather well.

They had SP Evan Dawson, RF Dale Cleveland and another outfielder on the DL, but Cleveland probably hurt the most. Their 4-man rotation for the World Series consisted of four 13+ games winners, including Alejandro Venegas. Their bullpen was rather average.

They had five double-digit dinger hitters on the roster, but none had hit more than 13. Also, nobody on their team had hit more than .290. Outfielders Ennio Sabre (.284, 13 HR, 71 RBI), Pancho Pacheco (.281, 12 HR, 61 RBI) and infielder Phil Burnett (.285, 10 HR, 63 RBI) were their most potent batters, one each of the righty, switchy, and lefty populations.

Overall, despite lacking the outfield Daniels and reliever Albert Matthews, the Raccoons had a very good chance here, better than against the Stars six years ago.

So it goes, the Oregon Title Brawl.

1989 WORLD SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) vs. Salem Wolves (88-74)

Game 1 – Kisho Saito (17-5, 2.72 ERA) vs. Jon Robinson (16-12, 2.72 ERA)

Jason Turner was red hot, but the only way to have him pitch twice in the series, if necessary, was to assign him the game 3 start in Salem, and then game 7, like in the CLCS. This meant that Saito and Berry had to start the first two games at home. Wade would be pushed to game 4. Neither Berry nor Wade had sparkled in the CLCS, but Berry was in any case much better rested than Wade. Saito was designated to start the series to have him available for game 5.

The difference between Saito’s and Robinson’s records clearly showed the better offense the Raccoons staff had enjoyed this year, although it hadn’t showed that much in the CLCS.

The Wolves threatened first, with two walks to start the top 2nd, but Saito got back into the groove, struck out the next batter and Quinn and Johnston made nice plays to end the inning on either wing. In the bottom 2nd, Osanai hit a leadoff double, went to third on a groundout and scored on Higgins’ sac fly. 1-0, we are in business.

The Wolves tied the game in the fourth after a leadoff single by Sean Bergeron and an RBI triple hit by Brendon Bailey just past Glenn Johnston in left field. Bailey was however stranded at third base and Saito held on to the tie.

After Saito hit a 2-out double in the bottom 5th, but was left on by Antonio Gonzalez, the Wolves came back in the sixth. A pitch by Saito grazed Ennio Sabre’s uniform and he was on. Bergeron singled just a tad past Gonzalez, two on, nobody out. Sabre was moved to third on a fly out, and then scored on a sac fly, which only was turned into that by a great play by Neil Reece. It had left the bat as a double. Reece however had twisted awkwardly and was forced to leave the game with back pain. Saito came apart now and the Wolves scored another run to lead 3-1.

The Raccoons couldn’t solve the puzzle that was Jon Robinson. They got two on in the bottom 7th, but Reader grounded out in the pitcher’s spot to end that inning. In turn, Cordero struck out two right-handers in the eighth, only to fall to lefty Phil Burnett’s solo homer.

The Raccoons got one man on in both of the last two innings, but never got them past first base.

4-1 Wolves, who lead the series 1-0. Reece 1-2; Osanai 2-4, 2B;

1989 WORLD SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) vs. Salem Wolves (88-74)

Game 2 – Steven Berry (9-8, 3.01 ERA) vs. Terry Murphy (18-13, 3.58 ERA)

Neil Reece was not seriously hurt and was able to play in game 2. But another start like Berry’s in game 4 against Atlanta would already be ambitions-killing.

Berry again was unable to get into favorable counts. The first inning went well, but he walked two in the second. With one out in the third, he walked leadoff man Pancho Pacheco on four pitches, and only got out of the inning because of a pop out to Dadswell and because C Les Harper swung at a 2-2 pitch directed at his shoes.

Dadswell had had an infield hit in the bottom 2nd, but with two down the inning quickly ended. Reader, who was in for a struggling Gonzalez, led off with a single in the bottom 3rd. He was held on and couldn’t attempt to steal, so Berry bunted him to second. He moved to third on a groundout by Higgins, and then youngster Reece singled into left to score him. 1-0 Coons.

That was the signal for Berry to break up for good. Top 4th: Sabre singled, Francisco Marino singled. He walked Bergeron, and then hit Burnett. Tied game, bases loaded, nobody out, Berry was sent to the mines. Lagarde came in and got a double play, second and home, and then retired Murphy. 2-1 Wolves.

Lagarde stalled in the top 5th. Two out, two on, Burnett came in, but it took a great play by Dawson to get out of that jam unscathed. Reece walked to start the bottom 6th, but Dawson double-played the Coons out of there quickly.

Bottom 7th: Quinn with a leadoff single off the glove of SS Mauro Morales. Dadswell popped out, and Johnston grounded to second, but Marino botched the play. Two on, one out. Martin pinchhit for Reader to counter the righty Murphy, but grounded into a fielder’s choice at second. Gonzalez pinch hit for Burnett and flew out to center.

They just could not get anything down in the outfield …

Goodman and Martinez held the Wolves where they were in the eighth and ninth, and they brought closer Joshua Bernard again for the bottom 9th, which was led off by Osanai. First pitch, down the middle, knock, and it didn’t go out, but fell into the gap in right for a double. Quinn struck out. Dadswell went to 1-2, before he sent a flyer into the gap in left center field, but Bergeron caught that one. Osanai went to third.

Glenn Johnston had to save the world and Furball Nation. He was batting .152 in the playoffs, half of what he had put up all year. Time to regress towards a .310 mean. First pitch, contact, line drive INTO CENTER, IT FALLS IN!! Johnston tied the game with the back to the wall! O’Morrissey struck out to go to extra innings.

We sent Carlos Reyes for overtime, and wouldn’t turn to Grant West until the bags were full. Both sides left a runner on in the 10th. Top 11th: with one out, Bergeron singled to right. Burnett came up and singled to right as well. Bergeron made for third, but Quinn sent in a hissing liner that beat Bergeron easily and he was out. Burnett went to second, two outs. Morales was up with Bernard behind him. Would they remove him if we put Morales on intentionally? No, Reyes was told to get Morales, who went on to hit an infield single to Osanai. Victor Rodriguez came out to pinch hit now with runners on the corners. He lined hard into left field, but right into Johnston’s glove.

Bottom 11th: Quinn’s 1-out single gave the Coons a chance. He stole second and moved to third when Dadswell flew out. Johnston with two out again – this time he flew out to Sabre. And we went on.

Pacheco hit a leadoff double in the top 12th. Reyes remained in, struck out the next two guys, before we put Sabre on intentionally. He was batting .355 in October and would not get a chance. This put SS Tony Coztana into the batter’s box. He drew a full count walk, and now we called for Grant West, who faced Bergeron. He lined into short right and a run scored.

The Wolves entered the bottom 12th leading 3-2. Stephen Hall led off with a single to right, and Gonzalez walked. And then it stopped clicking, Higgins lined out, and Reece hit into a game-ending double play.

3-2 Wolves, who lead 2-0 now and can end the series at home. Reece 2-5, BB, RBI; Quinn 2-5; S. Hall (PH) 1-1; Burnett 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K; Goodman 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K;

[Orcin]

It's never good to lose the first two at home, but it's still winnable.

[Westheim]

1989 WORLD SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) @ Salem Wolves (88-74)

Game 3 – Jason Turner (12-5, 2.90 ERA) vs. Dragoljub Djukic (16-11, 3.40 ERA)

Turner Time in Salem. His job description was pretty simple: we need a win at all costs.

Jason Turner had been untouched so far, 3-hitting the opposition over 16 innings in the CLCS. Well, that streak ended very quickly. Parrell singled, Harper walked, Marino singled, the runners went for an extra base, Harper was thrown out at third, but Parrell scored. Marino was then thrown out stealing by Dadswell, but the Wolves led 1-0 already.

Top 2nd. Osanai and Quinn hit line drive singles. Nobody out, Johnston walked. For the love of Fur, score some runs here!! Gonzalez was up, grounded into a double play, and only Osanai scored in the inning.

The top 3rd started with Turner. He hit a low fly ball up the right field line, Sabre launched at it, but missed it and Turner ended up with a double. Higgins singled, Turner held at third. Reece was up and hit a grounder that was poor enough, but not too poor to kill the inning. Turner scored, Higgins was out, but Reece was safe at first, but he was stranded at second base eventually.

The fifth saw threats from both teams. Higgins hit a double in the top of the inning and moved to third on a wild pitch, but was eventually left there after Sean Bergeron made two great plays to retire both Reece and Dawson. Morales hit a 2-out triple in the bottom of the inning, but Djukic was up and was retired easily by Turner.

Top 6th: Osanai singled, Quinn singled. Johnston line drive went into Djukic’ glove. Gonzalez grounded into a double play. They JUST. COULD. NOT. SCORE!!

But the Wolves could. Pacheco led off the bottom 6th with an infield single, Gonzalez couldn’t make the play. Pacheco stole second on a piss poor throw from Dadswell, then scored on an Ed Parrell single. Parrell then stole second on a piss poor throw from Dadswell and then scored on a 2-out double by Ennio Sabre. The Wolves had a lead. Reece hit a sac fly in the top 7th to tie the game once more, scoring Dadswell, but Dawson lined out to Sabre to end the inning.

Turner had been pinch hit for in the sixth and Cordero pitched a quick seventh. Neither side got on in the eighth.

Jeff Martin pinch hit for Cordero to start the top 9th and singled up the middle. He was the go-ahead run. A hit-and-run was called, but Dadswell hit the ball up and was retired easily by Sabre. Martin didn’t get past second base.

Lagarde was tasked with the bottom 9th. The first man he faced was Brendon Bailey, and he singled to left. Lagarde struck out Sabre while always watching the quick Bailey. Lagarde went to 1-2 on Bergeron, before the Wolf dinked a looper into short right. Bailey went to third, still one out. Oscar Riley was up. Lagarde had gotten two strikes on everybody and Riley was not one to lay off a lot of bad stuff. Lagarde pitched to him, and Riley popped up the 1-0 pitch for an easy out, caught by Osanai. Lagarde then retired Morales. Extra innings upon us again.

The Wolves brought closer Bernard in as soon as Reece reached base to start the top 10th. Dawson dutifully grounded into a double play and Osanai grounded out.

West pitched the bottom 10th, then came to bat with one out and Johnston on first in the 11th. He had to bat, he had to. West grounded to the left side, where Morales made a sterling play to get him out at first. Johnston was on second, but Dadswell struck out.

West struck out Harper to start the bottom 11th, and after a Coztana single, struck out Sabre and got Shoji Murakami to ground out to Dawson, and also pitched a clean, but exhausting 12th.

NOW HIT THAT BALL SOMEWHERE IT COUNTS!! Dawson led off the 13th against Kendrick Davis. He was 0-5 on the day. Contact, deep to left, deeeep to left, OUT OF LEFT!!! Dawson broke up the tie with a homer in the 13th! Osanai and Quinn also got on, nobody out, and were left on. We turned to Nate Goodman to save the 4-3 lead.

Goodman had trouble throwing strikes. He got one out, then walked Parrell. Harper singled to right, and they were on the corners with one out. We made an emergency swap and brought in Ken Burnett. Full count to Coztana, he walked him. And Sabre came up. He took Burnett’s fourth pitch into center. Reece caught it, but Parrell tagged and scored the tying run. The Wolves were out of bench players and reliever Davis had to bat now with two down.

He also made contact on the fourth pitch. To the left side, between Dawson and Higgins. Johnston raced in, the excruciatingly slow catcher Harper turned the corner at third base. Johnston threw in, Harper slid past Dadswell as the Coons catcher only received the throw. The Wolves walked off, 5-4, on a reliever, who had never had an at bat in NINE YEARS IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES, hitting a single, scoring the winner of the snail pace race, in the 13th inning of game 3 of the World Series.

WITH TWO OUTS.

At this point, at the latest, it was written. The Raccoons were not destined to win the World Series. Ever.

Higgins 2-6, 2B; Osanai 3-5, BB; Martin (PH) 1-1; Cordero 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K; West 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K;

1989 WORLD SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) @ Salem Wolves (88-74)

Game 4 – Scott Wade (21-6, 3.44 ERA) vs. Alejandro Venegas (16-9, 3.34 ERA)

Ex-Coon alarm. He had put together an amazing season in Salem, winning 16 games with less run support than he had enjoyed in Portland. Well, he could finish us off here.

Venegas walked two in the first inning, but the Coons didn’t score. Johnston was on first base in the second with one out. Vinson was up and hit a soaring ball to deep right that used to fall in in about 19 of 20 cases. This was the 20th case as Sabre just caught it. Wade grounded out to end the inning.

A throwing error by Les Harper on a steal attempt by Higgins in the top 3rd got the Coons in business. Higgins went to third and Reece drove him home for a 1-0 lead. The Raccoons loaded the bases with one out. Gonzalez uncorked a GRAND SLAM to right.

Wade was trying to work quickly afterwards but was not too sharp. The Wolves left two on in the third, before scoring a run in the fifth. There, Bobby Quinn went down with an oblique strain, moving Dawson to the outfield and putting O’Morrissey at third base. O’Morrissey made a nice play in the sixth starting an inning-ending double play.

Wade pitched into the eighth inning, retiring Ed Parrell there, but then left with left-handers up next. Burnett faced Harper and Marino, a single and a walk came out of that. The tying run was in the on-deck circle. Martinez got out of the jam, grounding out Sabre and punching out Bergeron.

The Raccoons left two men on in the ninth, leaving it to Lagarde to hold on to a 4-run lead. He pitched a perfect inning to extend the series.

5-1 Raccoons. Higgins 2-5, 2B; Quinn 2-3; Gonzalez 1-4, HR, 4 RBI; Dadswell (PH) 1-1; Wade 7.1 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, W;

1989 WORLD SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) @ Salem Wolves (88-74)

Game 5 – Kisho Saito vs. Jon Robinson

Something wonderful happened on the morning of the fifth game. Daniel Hall was declared good to play by our staff and his DL time was over. [Since I never got a 25th man on the playoff roster, and the game never removed Hall from it after the CLCS, he is now STILL on the playoff roster! Quite a lot of bugs here, to be honest] With Quinn just having gone down, he was to start in left, with Johnston shifting to right.

And Hall scored the first run in the game, a sac fly bringing in Higgins, who had hit a leadoff double, from third. Dawson added a run and the Coons were up 2-0 in an instant.

A throwing error by Matt Higgins scored a run for the Wolves in the bottom 2nd. Dawson added another run with an RBI groundout in the third, 3-1.

Saito didn’t look like 100% early on, but could 90% suffice? He started to deal better by the fourth inning, requiring a great catch by Johnston in the third to keep the 1 in Salem’s R column.

Hall and Osanai hit doubles in the fifth to add a run, but Gonzalez left two men on then. Robinson was shaking but nobody was willing to topple him off the mound. Johnston and Vinson hit liners to start the sixth, and when Saito was hit by Robinson, the bases were loaded, nobody was out. Higgins hit another liner, and it fell into shallow center, Johnston scored! Reece hit a lining sac fly to Bergeron for another run to score before the inning fizzled out.

Saito was dealing acidic fire (or fiery acid) all the way here, making his way through the innings like a true ace. Bottom 8th, up 6-1. Saito struck out Murakami. Rodriguez hit a long fly ball to deep left, Hall after it, launching, and he caught it!!

Daniel Hall also slammed his face into the grass for the second time in October and left the game with a bum shoulder.

(facepalm)

Saito looked on as Hall was walked off the field, then grabbed a ball tightly and continued dealing. Dawson hit into the umpteenth double play of October in the ninth, but Saito went the distance with a 2-hitter. The Wolves never had a chance against him.

6-1 Raccoons. Higgins 2-5, 2B, RBI; Reece 2-4, RBI; Osanai 2-4, BB, 2 2B, RBI; Dawson 2-4, BB, 2B, 2 RBI; Vinson 2-4, 2B; Saito 9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K, W;

[Westheim]

As before, this post will only contain one game, regardless of whether there is a game 7.

1989 WORLD SERIES
Portland Raccoons (95-67) vs. Salem Wolves (88-74)

Game 6 – Jason Turner vs. Terry Murphy

As we returned to the nice side of Oregon, Daniel Hall’s shoulder was bum, so bum he shouldn’t play, but not bum enough so he wouldn’t be able to. Still, we left him out of the lineup for game 6 and conserved him for an important AB late in the game. Dawson was in left and O’Morrissey at third.

We also decided not to use Berry. Turner would go on short rest, and Wade would do so should there be a game 7. It’s the Big Stage. There is no “But I’m tired …!”. Tired players are sent to the mines. The Wolves did not hurry their starters, but they had Venegas, who had been roughed up, “behind” game 7 and had no reason to hurry anybody. Plus, they came in leading.

The Raccoons left two men on base in the first inning. Turner’s control didn’t look top notch, so a few runs early on wouldn’t hurt anybody. But the Wolves, but who cared about those?

Johnston led off the bottom 2nd with a double. O’Morrissey shot a ball that dropped into right just fair, but Sabre held him to a single and Johnston at first. Vinson stepped in against Murphy. A MASSIVE KNOCK!! AND THAT BALL WAS GONE!!!

3-0 Coons in the second! LET’S ADD SOME MORE!!!

Dawson and Osanai reached base again in the third. Gonzalez grounded to Burnett, who unleashed a wild throw into the seats. Both runners were awarded home, 5-0! Gonzalez was also brought in to score, 6-0! Go get them! Nail them to the ground! Smear the walls with their bloody intestines!!

Unfortunately, Turner was the one who got smeared at random planes in the fifth. A Vinson error got the Wolves rolling and with nobody out they added two singles. Murphy would have been up, but Rodriguez pinch hit for him. Rodriguez grounded through Osanai, scoring two runs with a double, and the game blew up completely here. Three batters later there was one out, four runs were in, and the tying runs on the corners. Turner was yanked for Cordero. Marino lined to left, but O’Morrissey intercepted that rocket and caught the runner from third base far off the bag – DOUBLE PLAY!!

Walking upright was not always easy, but the Coons still held a 6-4 lead here. But the tying runs quickly got back on base in the sixth against Cordero. Martinez couldn’t keep them at bay and Oscar Riley’s pinch hit 2-out single cut the lead in half. 6-5.

While the offense now looked completely lost against the Wolves bullpen, Burnett came in for a phenomenal 2-frame, 4-K, 0-run performance. The bottom 8th was uneventful and there was no PH-opportunity for Daniel Hall either.

Grant West entered the top 9th, facing PH Bailey, then Pacheco and Parrell. The latter two both hit singles and a misguided attempt by Reece to get Pacheco at third led to Parrell moving up to second. Oh, things were going downhill here.

Mound conference. West went to a full count on Harper after that, and while Harper grounded out to Gonzalez, Pacheco scored on the play. Save blown, game tied. Murakami fouled out.

Bottom 9th. O’Morrissey struck out. Vinson singled into short center. West would have been next, but this was the spot for Daniel Hall. People were on their feet as he stepped into the batter’s box. He went to a full count, then fouled out behind home plate.

Two down. Still a miracle ending? Higgins stepped in and singled up the middle. Vinson went to third. Reece was up next, still hitting .341 in the playoffs. He grounded out, extra innings.

Reyes struck out two and got an easy grounder in the top 10th. Dawson led off the bottom 10th, Bernard in his second inning for the Wolves. Dawson grounded to short, Osanai to second, and Dadswell pinch hit for Gonzalez, but struck out.

Bottom 11th. Johnston doubled off Kendrick Davis to get things moving. O’Morrissey was supposed to bunt him over, but his bunt was shamefully terrible, and Harper threw out Johnston at third. The whole park hissed, sniped, and booed young O’Morrissey, as he was safe at first. We emptied our bench by having Martin hit for Reyes with two out. He singled up the middle. Higgins had to come through. He grounded out.

Lagarde came in to pitch the 12th and sat down the Wolves in order. Bottom 12th, Osanai singled with two out. He went to second on a wild pitch by Davis. Stephen Hall then walked, and Johnston struck out.

It had been enough chances wasted by now. In the bottom 13th, Vinson was on first with one out, the bench was empty, Lagarde had to bat. He flew out, Higgins singled, Reece flew out, inning over, two left on AGAIN.

Morales was on third base in the top 14th. Lagarde still in there. Parrell flew to right with two down, and what happened out there will have to be thoroughly analyzed in the coming days, whether Johnston tripped for a moment or whether he just lost eye contact with the ball, in any case it glanced off the top of his glove and the run scored.

Bottom 14th. Dawson, Osanai, Stephen Hall. Pitching was Ramón Viera. Dawson popped out. Osanai flew to deep center, and Bergeron caught the ball.

Stephen Hall to the plate. The Raccoons were one out away from being Oregon’s laughing sack. He flew into short right, and Sabre couldn’t get it. Responsibility shifted to Johnston. He worked a full count, then sent a flyer into left. Bergeron went after it. And caught it. Johnston was the double bloke, and the season was concluded.

7-6 Wolves. Osanai 3-7, 2B; S. Hall (PH) 1-1, BB; Vinson 3-6, HR, 3 RBI; Martin (PH) 1-1; Burnett 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K; Reyes 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K; Lagarde 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, L;

Optimism sucks.

[Orcin]

Oh man. So close. Let me be the first to say that it was a great season, and Coons fans are not disappointed. In fact, we are optimistic about next season.

[Questdog]

Yes, if this was a rebuilding year, then imagine the spectacle of the fully built article!.....