Pippins Preview: June 26 at Port Angeles
After Tuesday’s series opener in Port Angeles was cancelled due to rain, the Pippins re-start their series with the Lefties with a pair of 7-inning games in a Wednesday doubleheader. First pitch for Game 1 is set for 5:05 PM PT at Civic Field, with the Pippins set to start left-hander Mark Finkelnburg opposite Port Angeles righty Frankie Scalzo. No starters have been announced for Game 2. Live coverage with Miles Klotz begins at 4:50 PM at pippinsbaseball.com/live.
SERIES OPENER IN PORT ANGELES WASHED OUT: Due to heavy rains that doused Civic Field and the Port Angeles area on Tuesday night, the series opener between the Pippins and the Port Angeles Lefties was cancelled after the teams were unable to complete the 5 innings necessary for a game to be official. When the game was initially put into a rain delay, just past 8 PM pacific time, the Pippins were leading Port Angeles, 9-0, with one out in the top of the fifth inning. None of the stats from the game will be counted, and the game will be rescheduled for a doubleheader today. A pair of 7-inning games will begin at 5:05 PM.
FOR THE PIPPINS: Left-hander Mark Finkelnburg is set to make his fourth start of the summer in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader. The 6-foot-8, 205-pound left-hander from Loyola Marymount has made 3 starts on the season, not yet earning a decision while posting a 3.08 ERA. In 11.2 innings on the summer, the native of Portland, Oregon, has struck out 10 batters and walked 7, while opponents have hit .277 off of the him.
FOR THE LEFTIES: Right-hander Frankie Scalzo will make his sixth appearance of the summer for the Lefties, and his fourth start. In 17 innings of work this summer, the Vista, California, native has posted a 2-1 record and 2.11 ERA, while striking out 14 and walking 5. Opponents hit .266 off the 6-foot-3, 185-pound, rising junior at Grand Canyon University.
A LOOK AT THE LEFTIES: After jumping out to a 4-2 start, winning series against Portland and Bellingham, the Lefties have slowed down considerably over the last two weeks. Port Angeles has lost their last four consecutive series, including a home sweep at the hands of Wenatchee last week. The Lefties, who sit 5th in the WCL North Division with a 7-11 record, one game ahead of the Pippins, rank near the top of the league in many offensive categories, including runs scored (115, 3rd) and home runs (13, t-2nd). On the flipside, their pitching staff ranks near the bottom in many categories, including team ERA (5.42, 9th) and walks allowed (79, 4th).
TRYING TO STOP THE BLEEDING: With Monday’s loss, the Pippins have dropped four straight, their second four game losing streak of the season, as well as their longest home losing streak of the season. In addition, the Pippins have lost four consecutive road games, with their last win away from home coming on the season’s second day in Ridgefield. The Pippins’ last four-game losing streak came in 2018, when they were swept on the road by Portland and lost the opening of a 3-game series at home to Kelowna in June.
A LOT OF DUDES: Nick Israel made his debut for the Pippins on Monday with an 0-for-4 performance, in turn becoming the 37th different player to appear in a Pippins uniform so far this season through 18 games. A litany of injures has led to larger-than-expected roster turnover early in the season.
ODDS & ENDS: The Pippins committed 3 errors on Monday, their 7th consecutive game with multiple errors…the Pippins, having lost four straight at home, will now play 9 of their next 12 away from Yakima County Stadium to close out the first half of the WCL season.
By Miles Klotz
June 26, 2019