Mike Kaffee
Hurricanes Baseball Reporter
[email protected]
Miami, in its worst showing of the season, was shut out convincingly 11-0. Spearheading this performance was none other than Alejandro Rosario, who continues to show that he has no business as a starter. Should have been relieved after two innings after the Cardinals batted around scoring 4 times on 6 hits in the 2nd, opening with bat-to-bat HRs. He did have moments, striking out two in the 1st and 5th, and striking out all three batters in the third, but the 4 runs on 6 hits in the second and 2 more on 3 hits in the 4th far exceeded anything positive to report on just another very bad performance on the mound. Alejandro starts because there is no one else. With Karson out of the picture once again, the road to post-season appears to be a write-off for this season. You cannot survive with just one starter and not the strongest selection of pitching from the BP.
With Rosario digging himself into a hole, there was no offense to bail him out. 11 hits, all singles, with BL twice and nothing to show for it. 15 left on base along with striking out 14 times translated into one giant loss.
By the end of the 5th, Rosario having thrown 102, Gino had no choice but to go to the BP. My opinion, rather than use reasonable relievers, he conceded this game trying to maintain a fighting chance to rebound for tomorrow. Elected to go with the bottom of the pitching chart with Gunther Braendel and Alex Walsh just to give them some experience. Had to just Sebastian Perez to bail out Braendel in the 7th after giving up two runs in the 6th on a homer and another two runs in the 7th.
This was definitely a game that they want to put behind them and start fresh tomorrow. Individually, 4 players contributed with multiple numbers: CJ Kayfus 2-4; Yoyo Morales 2-4; Zach Leverson 2-4 and Dominic Pitelli 3-4. The one time you wanted Dominic to get a hit, he strikes out with BL. Lorenzo Carrier did likewise making for a very unproductive day in getting the hits but doing nothing about it.
The BP is going to try to salvage a series win with all men on deck with pitching by committee. This appears to be how it is going to be for the remainder of the season.
Hopefully, Karson might be held back for Tournament play and beyond for without him expect an early departure from post-season play. Recruitment next year, Gino is going to have to look hard at the transport portal emphasizing getting quality pitching as his first priority. Hopefully, we won’t lose too many power ball hitters wanting more playing time and looking elsewhere. This has been a tough year, losing so many injuries, leaving our BP in a state of despair.
That is for the future. We have to do with what we have and a loss, whether 11-0 or 1-0 is still a loss. Tomorrow is a new beginning with first pitch at 1PM.
