Haddock Field wrote:

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Sloppy game on both sides in Portland today.

Masterson was not particularly sharp, but was still getting the ground balls. 91 pitches/50 strikes, 0/4 K/BB, 13/3/5 G/L/F. His defense obviously didn't help him out, either. Daeges came up short on bloop single in the first and misplayed a liner for an error in third (originally scored as a single, but changed mid-game).

The Dogs took advantage of 10 walks by the Bay Sox, who threw 183 pitches with only 93 strikes. Daeges crushed the ball today, but only came away with a LD-DP and a SF to show for it. There was strong wind blowing in from right field across left, which made anything hit too high an adventure and also kept flies by Daeges and Pinckney in the park..

I don't have much to add to this of substance but I'll give my impressions.

Masterson clearly didn't have a very good day. I was at a bad angle for most of the game but I think he was having difficultly locating his slider all day. As a result, he didn't get many swings and misses on his stuff all day long. His command seemed to be about where it was in his ML start, perhaps a little worse. I moved down to right behind home plate for his last 2/3's of an inning and was more impressed. His sinker had good life and tail but not as much sink as I've seen at other times. The scout's gun on him in that final frame was 88-92. I didn't think his final pitch was ball 4.

Rhodes was actually fairly impressive. The few looks I got at the scout's gun were a couple ticks higher than the stadium gun. If so, he was throwing mid 90's and getting a lot of swings and misses. I got kicked out of the seats and moved back to the poor angle so I didn't get a good read on his off-speed pitch but neither did the Bowie hitters. He looked like a guy who should get a look in the majors some day.

Jones: As we know he wasn't throwing gas but he has a very good breaking ball and above average command. I was encouraged. Hitters looked uncomfortable against him.

The Portland line-up was less exciting. I didn't see many future big leaguer regulars. Some of these guys I've seen a number of times but some this was my first so take it fwiw. The defense was particularly bad with the exception of 3/4 up-the-middle fielders. Hall made a good read on a well hit ball deep to left center. He looks like he could man the position. Wagner looked to have a very athletic build. He had no problem behind the plate as he looked very nimble. Didn't get to see him try and throw-out a runner but his practice throws were nothing special. Good accuracy but not much juice. Just as easily could have been throwing 85% in practice though. He swung at a couple pitches well out of the zone but was overall the best positional prospect for me. He looked at strike three another time and just stood there smiling when the Ump called him out. I don't think he agreed. Ryan Khory made an error on what should have been an easy DP. He was unimpressive. Suarez displayed major league range at SS and fairly smooth mechanics. He also put on some good at bats and drove a ball to the gap. At his age you figure he is what he is but I thought he could cut it as a utility player. Picnkney has pull power but he will not stick at third. Daegas is a pretty big dude and the bat is legit but he was also awful in the field. His report is probably spot on. Bates' swing looked about the same. Maybe not quite as long as I remember but not exactly short. Corso has a plan at the plate and he made some good contact. He looked really solid all day on both sides of the ball until he faced a guy throwing mid 90's where he suddenly looked over-matched. I wouldn't read too far into but it was night and day. Every time I see him I forget to look for the mythical hitch. Maybe that's why he was over-matched!!!!11!! (sarcasm)

I think that's about it...