By Andrew
Struckmeyer
Clark Griffith League Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Beltway Blue Caps started the Jacobs Cup in grand style, with a thrilling upset over the McLean Raiders. Jay Joines delivered a masterful start, allowing the bullpen to only have to pitch three innings. Tuesday afternoon, the Blue Caps ran into a powerful Fairfax Nationals lineup. Starter Taylor Land was unable to duplicate Joines' performance. Land was rocked for eight runs in the first three innings, and the Blue Caps never recovered. The Nationals won easily, 10-4.
The Blue Caps squandered a golden opportunity to grasp momentum in the first inning. Nationals starter J.D. Polcari walked the first two batters he faced. The heart of the lineup was coming to the plate with Shane Brown, followed by Triple Crown-winner Robert Hays. However, Polcari induced a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Brown, and then struck out Hays to end the threat.
The Nationals, the #2 seed in the tournament, came roaring out of an opening round bye. They started the game with six straight singles off of Land. They scored three runs in the inning, and could have put up a crooked number if they didn't have two runners thrown out at home in the inning.
They came right back with five more hits in the second inning, and four runs. The damage could have been much worse, because all of the hits but one were singles. After just two innings, the Blue Caps were facing a seven run deficit.
Land battled through five innings, allowing two more runs. He allowed fifteen hits, and six walks. He threw 117 pitches, but was able to keep the Blue Caps pitching somewhat in line.
"He bit the bullet, so that if we win tomorrow, we'll still have a chance in the tournament," said Blue Caps manager John Nolan.
Polcari really settled into a rhythm for the Nationals. Polcari, who has been the Nationals' best starter all season long, didn't allow a run until the fifth inning. He pitched seven strong innings, allowing only two runs.
"We knew a lot about the hitters beforehand, which helped a lot. I just tried to mix it up, with my curveball, fastball, and changeup," said Polcari. Polcari had the added benefit of being staked to such a big lead, which allowed him to attack Blue Caps hitters.
Nationals manager Billy Emerson decided to go with Polcari for the opening game of the tournament because he had success previously against the Blue Caps. Polcari threw 91 pitches, so he is most likely unavailable for the rest of the tournament. The only possible option would be a relief outing in the championship game.
Daren McLean came on in relief of Land, and held the Nationals to only one run over the final three innings. However, the Blue Caps offense remained silent until the ninth inning.
The Nationals brought on Adam Young to pitch the ninth, and he struggled with his command. After Derek Kline started the inning with an infield single, Young hit Chris Haney and then walked Ryan Baione.
Austin Booker brought home a run when he reached on a fielding error by Alex Guerra. Keith Morrisroe then hit an RBI single. The Blue Caps seemed to have the makings of a rally. However, Matt Kaler grounded into his second double play of the afternoon to end the game.
Kaler replaced Brown in the lineup in the middle of the game. Brown was the designated hitter, due to a bruised rib. The Blue Caps also lost catcher Max Eckert in the sixth inning, when he bruised his elbow when he rolled over a ball. Both players are likely to play tomorrow, although one will probably serve as the designated hitter. The Blue Caps will face an elimination game Wednesday against the Arlington Diamonds.
The Nationals come into the tournament with extra motivation, because they will not be playing in a postseason tournament. Even though they are the #2 seed, the Senators will be playing in the NBC World Series and the Raiders will be playing in the AAABA Tournament. This makes the Jacobs Cup all the more important for them.
"We're playing for the league," said Emerson. "I think it should mean a lot for everybody. The primary focus is winning this tournament."