Another difficult night for the Dust Devils.
The third inning in particular, when an error by outfielder Chad Lembeck and a wild pitch by Brad McAtee helped lead to two Boise runs in a 4-2 Hawks win.
That makes seven losses in a row for the Dusties, tying the second-longest losing streak in club history. The longest losing skein was nine in 2004.
Its amazing how the little things can add up, though.
When Salem-Keizer came through in late June and the Dust Devils took 3-of-5 games, the Volcanoes committed 13 errors in the five-game series.
I asked S-K manager Tom Trebelhorn about those errors and he gave them an even stronger perspective.
Errors in all forms: mental and physical have a cumulative effect. And its not just errors late in the game that hurt you.
Lets say your team commits an error in the second inning. No runs score. No big deal, right?
Wrong.
Even one error early in the game can affect the game innings later. Heres why: For one thing, it adds to the pitch count. If a pitcher is scheduled to throw 70 pitches, one batter could account for as many as 10 pitches.
That one error early in the game could mean the difference between leaving a starter in and having to bring in a new pitcher.
Or theres this scenario: One error means bringing another batter to the plate, which could mean the difference between facing a No. 9 hitter batting .190 or a leadoff hitter with a .400 on-base percentage. Which would you rather face?
One of the main reasons for the Dust Devils current streak has been the cumulative effect of errors, wild pitches, passed balls, etc...
So far, Tri-City has committed 43 errors 33 by the infield through 31 games.
If Tri-City cant cut down on these errors, theyll seal their own fate in what could be a long season.
But things could be getting a little better with the addition of 2B Erik Wetzel and 3B Ryan Peisel.
Between Patrick Rose, Chris Vasami and the Dust Devils had committed 12 errors at third base through the first 23 games. But Peisel a 12th-rounder out of Georgia has not committed any errors at third in his first seven starts.
Tri-City has made 10 errors at second through 31 games. But Wetzel a 13th-rounder out of Fresno State will add some stability there. He committed just 13 errors in 413 chances and helped turn 59 double plays in 76 games for the NCAA champion Bulldogs in 2007.
And lets hope Jordan Pacheco can keep improving behind the plate. So far he hasnt proven very effective in blocking pitches in the dirt, or even catching balls outside the zone.
But Pacheco is a good worker, and he has gained the favor of the pitching and coaching staff with his positive attitude. But his head was hanging Friday night after three wild pitches (two of which could have been scored passed balls).
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On paper, Dust Devils have NWL title wrapped up
On paper, Dust Devils have NWL title wrapped up
PASCO -- If you look at the Northwest League website, you'll see that the Tri-City Dust Devils have vastly superior numbers to the Vancouver Canadians.
The Dust Devils swept the first half and second half East Division titles, and then went on to sweep Boise in the best-of-3 NWL divisional playoffs.
The Canadians didn't win either half in the West and backed into the playoffs after losing five of their last six regular season games.
Dust Devils drop Game 1 of NWL finals
Dust Devils drop Game 1 of NWL finals
PASCO -- The Tri-City Dust Devils hopped on a bus for Vancouver, British Columbia, late Friday night after their 6-3 Game 1 loss to the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League Championship Series at Gesa Stadium.
Along with their bats, gloves and spikes, the Dust Devils hoped to carry a win across the border. Instead, they might need to pack a miracle or two, as they need to win both games at Nat Bailey Stadium to earn their first NWL championship.
"We've got to go up there and win two," said Tri-City manager Fred Ocasio. "They came in and beat us at home, but we're capable of doing the same thing."
LIVE BLOG: NWL division series, Dust Devils at Boise Hawks, Game 1
LIVE BLOG: NWL division series, Dust Devils at Boise Hawks, Game 1
Getting an early start on today's NWL Divisional Series blog between the Tri-City Dust Devils and Boise Hawks.
Hitched a ride to Boise with Dust Devils radio play-by-play man Jason Schwartz at 10 a.m. this morning. Our other passenger was Erik Mertens, best known as Erik the Peanut Guy. It was a fun trip with two great guys, and we all had a lot to talk about.
Erik and Jason had a good discussion about their favorite team logos and team colors — both are long-time aficionados. They were going back and forth with thoughts about improving the Dust Devils logo. I'll tell you, these two might have missed a calling as graphic artists.
LIVE BLOG: NWL championship series, Dust Devils vs. Vancouver Canadians, Game 1
LIVE BLOG: NWL championship series, Dust Devils vs. Vancouver Canadians, Game 1
Here it is, Dust Devils and Canadians face off for the whole shebang over the next few days.
I walked up to the press box and Rob Fai, Vancouver's play-by-play man, said there were 35 grateful Canadians players and coaches for the story I wrote in today's paper. I guess it fired them up pretty good with the headline "Devils have NWL title wrapped up".
Rob said they had it plastered all over the locker room, and they're definitely not lacking motivation to take Game 1 on the road. If they can do that, the Dust Devils would have their work cut out for them in Vancouver.
LIVE BLOG: Dust Devils vs. Spokane Indians, Game 2
LIVE BLOG: Dust Devils vs. Spokane Indians, Game 2
Another beautiful day at Gesa Stadium, and here I am getting paid to watch baseball. Rough life, I know.
Actually, it wasn't so beautiful earlier this afternoon, though. I was out in Richland doing some feature interviews for our upcoming football preview (which comes out Friday, Sept. 2), and there was a wicked windstorm that kicked up from the south.
The wind was still gusting as I headed out to Chiawana's practice in Pasco. No dirt to kick up, really, since they've got field turf on their practice field. But the wind was blowing my notebook pages all over the place.
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