12 August, 2004

Y-D bats alive in East playoff opener rout of Whitecaps

     As you peruse these words the Y-D Red Sox may already be prepping for their next and final series against the victor of the West Division playoffs, either Falmouth or Hyannis. They played the second of the best-of-three series against Brewster yesterday, after The Register deadline. 

     "These guys like each other a lot," Red Sox manager Scott Pickler says. "They're into this till the end. They've done a great job. The chemistry has been very good all year long. They've been a great group all year. They like being around each other." 

     The Brewster Whitecaps have been sliding, and after Tuesday afternoon's 9-1 pounding at Dennis-Yarmouth High School, have dropped nine of their last 11 games. 

     The Red Sox rolled up a quick 9-0 lead after five innings of the first playoff game and Dan McCutchen, 5-1 during the regular season, picked up the win with six innings of solid work. 

     "He wasn't as sharp as he's been in the past," says Pickler. "It was nice I got to rest him so I can bring him back if we need him. He's a pretty tough kid. He competes as well as anybody on the pitching staff." 

     The team likes Red Wilson Field as well. The wind was blowing out, toward left-center, but the Sox blasted home runs to all three fields as they drove Brewster starter Josh Cribb from the game after four frames and battered Adam Gold as well. 

     The Red Sox have won eight of their last 10 games, including the playoff. They wrapped the regular season in first place with a 26-17-1 mark, well ahead of Brewster (23-21) and have the home field advantage if a game three is needed on Thursday. 

     "It's going to be tough tomorrow," Pickler said after the win. "We jumped on them early today. We swung the bats pretty well." 

     They did indeed. 

     Joe Anthonsen and newcomer Bryan Byrne both singled with one out in the first. Will Harris drew a walk and DH Frank Curreri was hit by a pitch to force in a run. All-Star shortstop Ryan Rohlinger slashed a two-run double down the left-field line and Y-D was up 3-0 which would be plenty. 

     "We want to win," says Rohlinger, who had three hits before departing. "We have an extra week and we want to win the whole thing. Everybody wants to get the job done. Coach Pickler has shown us good fundamentals and good technique and now we're swinging the bats at the right time. It's a couple more days and hopefully we'll get the championship." 

     Brewster had threatened in the first, thanks to two walks and a single by Gaby Sanchez (who had three hits on the day). McCutchen struck out Ryan Roberson with the bases full. 

     "I struggled with my change-up in the first, but I got it by the third inning," McCutchen said. "My fastball was working good and I spotted it well. My three walks were all on bad pitches. My better pitches were when I was 0-2 or 1-2 and throwing curve balls in the dirt they couldn't hit. And it helps to have good defense behind you. You've got to love it when your team throws up nine runs." 

     Y-D added another run in the second when Ben Crabtree singled, moved to second on an error, took third on Adam Davis' sacrifice bunt and scored on Anthonsen's fly to center. 

     "After your team puts up big numbers like that you definitely want to go out and throw strikes," McCutchen said. "Make them beat you, don't beat yourself." 

     Nick Moresi, who hit six homers during the year, belted the first Red Sox home run in the fourth, a high shot into the pines in right. 

     Harris doubled to open the fifth and Brewster coach Bob Macaluso yanked Cribb, who'd given up seven hits and fanned four. Curreri greeted Adam Gold with a line drive over the center field fence, good for a 7-0 lead. Rohlinger's third hit of the day was a double to center. Crabtree ripped a long two-run homer to left and Y-D was up 9-0. Gold struck out the last two men of the fifth but the damage was done. 

     McCutcheon left after six. Giving up six hits, walking three, whiffing nine and surrendering no runs. 

     "We brought our bats today," he noted. "And we're planning on doing it tomorrow. The pitching has been great. We've made it to the playoffs and our only intention is to win them." 

     Blake Holler pitched the final three innings, giving up four hits and one run. Brewster's run came on three straight singles to right by Roberson, Mark Wagner and Craig Cooper. 

Odds and ends 

     Y-D doled out their post-season awards and the Michael Frick Pitcher of the Year Award went to reliever Josh Faiola (3-2, 1.14 ERA), Justin Keadle (5-1, 3.44) and McCutchen (5-1, 1.58). 

     The 10th player award went to shortstop Ryan Rohlinger (.258), who displayed great glove work all year. 

     Catcher Ben Crabtree, who played for the Whitecaps last year, was given the Sportsmanship Award. 

     "Ben Crabtree has been very good for us," Pickler said. "He comes to play every day. That's what you look for when you recruit a team because it's a long season. These guys come to play every day." 

     Scott Lonergan pitched one third of an inning for Brewster and left with an injury, so John Cronin finished up for 2 2/3 innings. 

     Cape League batting champ Ryan Patterson of Brewster struck out four times and walked once. Cooper and catcher Mark Wagner had two hits each for Brewster. 

     Curreri was hit by a pitch twice, in addition to homering and walking and he was caught stealing between home and third. So it was an interesting afternoon for the UMass. man.