Tonight the Everett AquaSox come to Salem-Keizer for the second and final series between these two teams that will be played at Volcanoes Stadium. This series normally has enough excitement surrounding it because the AquaSox are the Mariner’s short season Single A affiliate but tonight there is an extra boost to the excitement as Mike Zunino will make his first appearance, and most likely his last, to Volcanoes stadium over this three game series. For many Volcanoes fans tonight cause some split loyalties as they cheer on the team they love, while also trying to cheer on what may be the future of the Mariners franchise, which is the team that many northwest fans have supported for years. For me I will cheer for both teams but secretly (or maybe not so secretly) I will be hoping to see Zunino just tear the cover off of the ball and start his path to the major league club.
Keys to the Series
- The Volcanoes need to understand that just because the other team scores a run, doesn’t mean that they should drop their heads in shame and that the game is over. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team get more down on themselves even when they are winning then this years Volcanoes team. The team needs to stay strong mentally, which will help eliminate the errors made on fundamental plays and can help limit opposing team’s rallies.
- The AquaSox just need to do what they have been doing, which is pitch really well and hit the ball in timely situations. The AquaSox were already in first place when Zunino joined the team and his addition just makes them that much stronger. With only a few days left in the first half the AquaSox should be able to maintain their 3.5 game lead over the Eugene Emeralds to claim the first playoff spot for the West Division.
- I could give you a John Madden quote here like “the team that scores the most will probably win the game” but I’m not going to do that. What I am going to say is that the AquaSox are the favorite in every game but if the game gets to be high scoring then the Volcanoes are going to have a really hard time keeping up. The Volcanoes need to keep the score low and close or one mistake can turn into a landslide of runs for the AquaSox. A 3-2 ball game gives the Volcanoes hope to win but a 10-7 game favors the AquaSox.
Players to Watch
- Mike Zunino – Really did you think I would put anyone else at the top of this list? He hasn’t hit his first home run and I have to be honest I would love to see that tonight.
Joe Biagini on July 5th against the Vancouver Canadians.
- Victor Sanchez – Sanchez is 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA. Oh and by the way he is still only 17 years old. Want to know another 17 year old that put up pretty good numbers for the AquaSox a few years ago, Felix Hernandez who went 7-2 with a 2.29 ERA in 2003. Am I saying that Sanchez could the next Felix….I wouldn’t bet against this kid achieving that level and given how well he is doing already I would say you can add him to the mix of Hultzen, Walker and Paxton for being the future of the M’s rotation. (Just thinking about that rotation makes me smile.)
- Chuckie Jones – Jones has been pushing too hard to be the hero in every at bat but slowly he is starting to realize he just needs to relax and play the game instead of trying to do to much. With all of his talent Jones could be a player with the potential to move up through the system but he needs to think a little less on the field and just let the game come to him.
- Joe Biagini – Biagini started the year with Augusta but struggled and was sent to Salem-Keizer. Since being sent to the Volcanoes he has been a solid pitcher for the team. He has not recorded a win yet but that is more because the Volcanoes just haven’t gotten him any run support then Biagini not pitching well enough to win.
So where was Stratton on this night? I was trying to get his autograph and he wasn’t sitting on the bullpen bench, unless he changed numbers. Do they hide him away because he’s the only millionaire?
No what happens is because Stratton is a starter he has responsibilities to chart pitches on the days he is not pitching. If your at Volcanoes stadium and you look about 8 rows up directly behind home plate you will see a few starting pitchers from the opposing team and in the row behind them is the starting pitchers that aren’t pitching that day for the Volcanoes. At the major league level they hire people to do that but at the minor league level they have pitchers do that. It helps them learn the different hitters they will face later on.
Ok. That’s interesting. I’ll have to look for them next time.