Dominant pitching performances have been unusually hard to find this summer. But at least some big arms are starting to show off.
Anthony Ranaudo made Brewster the place to be last night and delivered a solid performance in his debut. The Red Sox draftee struck out three in four innings, while sticking to a pitch count. Ranaudo is likely the top arm on the Cape right now, but if he’s on pitch counts and not staying long, he’s not going to have the eye-popping results.
Two guys who probably will deliver have eye-popping results squared off in Chatham last night.
Falmouth’s Mark Pope (Georgia Tech), who struck out 11 in his first start — the best pitching performance of the summer — took on Logan Verrett (Baylor), who made his first start for Chatham. They were both pretty impressive. Verrett went seven shutout innings, striking out nine, walking one and allowing just three hits. Pope was also strong for Falmouth. He only struck out five but he didn’t allow a run in six innings of work. He hasn’t allowed a run yet this year and he’s tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 16.
Verrett figured to be Chatham’s ace this summer, and he certainly was on this night. In a landscape where a lot of top sophomore pitchers are being advised to take a summer off, Verrett is on the Cape and ready to go. He struck out 97 this spring for Baylor.
He didn’t factor in the decision on Sunday, but if he keeps pitching like this, he’s going to get some wins. The way Chatham’s playing, he’s bound to. The score was 0-0 last night when Verrett left the game. After Falmouth took a 1-0 lead in the eighth, Chatham rallied to tie the game and win it in the ninth. Dan Paolini (Siena) knocked in the tying run before pinch-hitter Kevin Vance (UConn) hit a three-run walk-off homer to give Chatham the victory.
The Anglers are now 5-1-1, the best record in the league.
Elsewhere
What to Watch
Just one game on the schedule tonight as Falmouth visits Cotuit. Steven Gruver (Oklahoma State), who has struck out 11 in a start and a relief appearance, makes his second start for Falmouth. Matt Murray (Georgia Southern), who went six shutout innings in his debut, goes for Cotuit.