ORLEANS — The Firebirds used a 5-run 6th inning and strong pitching from starter Isaiah Magdaleno and 6 relievers to best the Brewster Whitecaps 8-3 Sunday night at a fog-shrouded Eldredge Park. It was the Whitecaps’ first loss in 6 games.
Brewster entered the game with the league’s best record at 14-8-1 and had a promising start when left fielder Adam Magpoc led off the game with a home run that just cleared the right field fence. That, however, would turn out to be the only run that Magdaleno allowed as he pitched four innings, giving up only one other hit and striking out 5.
“He was super-efficient,” said Kelly Nicholson, the long-time manager of the Firebirds, of the right-hander from the University of Hawaii, who needed only 46 pitches to record 12 outs. “He had a really good changeup,” said a pleased Nicholson.
This was Magdaleno’s first start after three relief appearances. “It’s different starting and getting comfortable, but I settled in and felt good,” said the California native. “Everything was working.”
In fact, everything pretty much worked to perfection for Magdaleno after the first batter, as he then faced the minimum number of hitters over his stint. The only blemish was a single in the third by the pesky Magpoc, who was quickly erased trying to steal second on a major-league throw by catcher Cashel Dugger. That play gave fans an idea of why Dugger was named a starter on the East squad for this Saturday’s Cape League All-Star Game alongside shortstop Elijah Ickes and outfielder Robbie Lavey.
The first half of the game was a pitcher’s duel, as Magdaleno’s counterpart, James DeCremer, matched him pitch for pitch. DeCremer surrendered only 2 hits and one run through 5 innings while striking out 7.
The Birds entered their half of the 6th trailing 2-1 after Brewster scored the go-ahead run in the top of the inning off Orleans’s fourth pitcher of the night, Jake Bean. Bean, making his first appearance of the season, gave up a double to first baseman Collin Priest, who scored one out later on the seemingly invincible Magpoc’s third hit of the night.
But after being held to only 2 hits in 5 innings by DeCremer, the Firebirds exploded for 5 consecutive hits to chase Brewster reliever Brady Louck after only one third of an inning.
Anthony Potestio, who earlier in the game ended a hitless streak that had reached 14, at bats stroked a double to get things started. Luke Nixon, Ickes, and Lavey followed with singles before Ryan Kucherak came to the plate to pinch hit for third baseman Jonathan Mendez. Kucherak had failed to record a hit in his first 16 at bats this season but ended that streak authoritatively with an Aaron Judge-like blast to the deepest part of center field that almost left the park before falling for a double. A wild pitch and a throwing error resulted in 2 more runs for a total of 5 in the inning and a 6-2 Firebirds lead.
The Birds got a pair of insurance runs in the 7th, one on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Kucherak, who belted 18 home runs for Northwestern this spring.
At that point, Nicholson was deep into a planned effort to give his bullpen some work. “Everybody needed to throw,” he said. “It was a true Johnny Wholestaff game tonight.”
He squeezed in 6 pitchers over 5 innings after Magdaleno’s starting effort. His relief corps rewarded their manager’s trust as they allowed only 4 hits and 2 runs. Most impressively, the Firebirds’ pitchers gave up no bases on balls for the first time this season.
Bean (1-0) was credited with the win. Louck (0-1) took the loss.
Though Brewster’s 5-game winning streak coming into the contest garnered a lot of attention, the Firebirds have been quietly compiling impressive results of their own. With this win, they are 4-1-2 in their last 7 games, one of the best records in the league over that span. Orleans (11-11-2), held the final playoff spot by one point over Chatham going into Tuesday night’s game at Harwich.
“Brewster is a good team, but so are we,” said Nicholson. “This is a good group, and they are fun to be around. They love to compete, and you can’t ask for anything more.”
The 34th annual Cape League All-Star Game will be held this Saturday at the home of the Dennis-Yarmouth Red Sox, Red Wilson Field. The game starts at 4:05 p.m. with gates opening at 11:45 a.m. A home run hitting contest is slated for 2:30 p.m. Orleans will be represented by position players Anthony Potestio, Elijah Ickes, Robbie Lavey, and Cashel Dugger as well as pitchers Steele Murdock, Ethan Foley, and Cole Tryba.
