With one swing of the bat Wednesday night, Bobby Dalbec got the Orleans Firebirds right back on track.
After a stunning 1-0 loss to Chatham in game two of their playoff series Tuesday, Dalbec made sure there was no shut-out Wednesday, smacking a three-run home run in the first inning and sending the Firebirds on their way to a 10-1 win and a spot in the East Division finals.
Dalbec added another home run later in the game – finishing with six RBI – Jeremy Martinez also went deep and Corbin Burnes (St. Mary’s) gave up one run in 6.2 strong innings as the Firebirds stayed alive.
Chatham had gotten a terrific pitching performance Tuesday in sending the Firebirds to just their second shutout all season, but lightning did not strike twice. Bryan Reynolds (Vanderbilt) led off the bottom of the first with a single, Martinez walked and Dalbec smashed the home run. Orleans never trailed and led 7-0 before Chatham got on the board.
Dalbec continued what has been a remarkable season. The slugger from Arizona led the league in home runs with 12 in the regular season. Last night’s showing makes 14. And he has played in just 30 games, thanks to a stint with Team USA in the middle of the summer.
Dalbec is hitting a home run every 7.4 at-bats this summer. For a reference point, the Major League career leader in that category, Mark McGwire, hit a home run every 10.61 at-bats.
And, as RFF commenter Orville from Orleans has noted, Dalbec also hit five home runs for Orleans last year, giving him a career total of 19. That’s believed to be a Cape League wood-bat career record. Single-season wood-bat home run kings Dave Staton and Tyler Horan hit 16. Horan added two in the playoffs in 2012.
All that aside, Dalbec’s slugging ways aren’t the only thing that makes Orleans dangerous. Martinez went 2-for-3 with a homer, while leadoff man Reynolds went 4-for-4 and scored four runs.
Burnes also delivered. The righty had a few hiccups midway through the season but was on his game Wednesday, striking out four and allowing one run on four hits. Jared Carkuff (Austin Peay) finished off the win with 2.1 scoreless innings.
Orleans moves on to the East finals, where it will match up with defending champ Y-D.
What to Watch
The division finals get underway tonight, with Hyannis hosting Bourne at 6 p.m. and Orleans welcoming Y-D at 7 p.m.