I wrote yesterday about Y-D’s late arrivals, a talent influx that shaped up as a big factor for the playoffs. The influx hadn’t yet translated to success, though. The Red Sox never had that expected hot streak.
But last night, on the first night of the playoffs, the Red Sox found some success.
Stanford star Mark Appel, who had made only two starts since arriving from Team USA in late July, got the ball for game one and showed everybody that Y-D might have the league’s best postseason ace.
Appel went eight shutout innings in game one against Orleans, allowing five hits and striking out 10. It’s just the kind of performance you’d expect for a guy who touches 97 miles per hour and may be the best pitching prospect in the league. But considering his arrival time and Y-D’s general struggles — the Sox went 1-4 in their last five — it almost seems made up that he would come out and do this in game one of the playoffs.
But he did it.
Appel scattered the five hits he allowed and, after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the second, he never allowed more than one baserunner in any inning. In the process, he delivered not just a great playoff start, but really one of the great starts of the summer. Starting pitching has been a little lackluster this year, without a lot of guys going deep into games with big strikeout numbers. Appel broke the mold at the perfect time for the Red Sox.
As for the offense, Y-D had enough. John Brebbia (Elon) pitched a solid eight innings for Orleans but Y-D got to him for four runs. Cody Keefer (UCLA) knocked in two runs and James Ramsey (Florida State) also had an RBI. Tyler Hanover (LSU) went 4-for-4.
While the win is certainly impressive for Y-D, it doesn’t guarantee a thing going forward, of course. Orleans hasn’t lost two in a row since July 19.
And Appel won’t be pitching tomorrow.
Elsewhere
What to Watch
Game: The Cape Cod Times says Joey DeNato will start today, but the league site has Brian Johnson as Y-D’s probable starter. Either way, Orleans has some work to do to extend the series.
Player: If Johnson gets the start, he’s got the ability to do something like what Appel did last night.