A defeat for Quebec would have thrown a cold shower on the 2,962 spectators gathered at Victoria Park, but the three withdrawals in a row recorded against the Tri-City ValleyCats were far from warming Scalabrini’s heart.
The match started badly, from the 2nd round, with errors from Juremi Profar and Kyle Crowl, and the crowd favorites needed all their little change to create the tie at the end of the 10th. The home troops were so frustrated that home plate official Tom West ejected Justin Gideon and hitting coach Lachlan Fontaine after their late-game tantrums.
Justin Gideon was ejected in the 10th inning. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
“It was horrible at the start, it wasn’t a good match overall,” lamented Scalabrini. Let’s be honest, we’re lucky to have won. Guys [Sam Ryan, Frank Moscatiello, Ryan Sandberg et Tyler Bryant] have thrown some fun, it’s positive, but it’s complicated these days. Defensively, we are messy day after day and offensively we find ways to make it not work.
“It’s not pleasant to watch.”
— Patrick Scalabrini
A disappointing show
Manager Patrick Scalabrini wants to be patient, but he has clearly been dissatisfied for several days. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
The big boss of the Quebec diamond promised to sleep on it, but he does not hide the fact that he can’t wait to see his players “clean” the slate.
Scalabrini says he is downright disappointed with the quality of play offered since the start of the week. “I don’t like the spectacle we are offering our supporters,” he simply said. The Capitals, we play better than that usually. It bothers me.”
He wants to be patient
No question of sounding the alarm at the moment. The manager of the two-time defending champions will continue to “think,” offering days off and evaluating the options he has at hand. “I’m not ready to make changes,” he vowed.
“I want to give myself time.”
— Patrick Scalabrini
Among the good news, there is the work of the Quebec rotation. Friday, Sam Ryan, Frank Moscatiello, Ryan Sandberg and Tyler Bryant gave satisfaction to their manager, especially Bryant, who threw balls of fire at the end of the game.
Capitals reliever Frank Moscatiello. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
“It’s nice to see a young guy we don’t know doing 99 miles per hour here,” smiled Scalabrini. He has an electric arm. For Frank [Moscatiello], it was a good comeback after the end of his last match. Ryan [Sandberg] is still very good, it’s just a shame that he didn’t have a victory under his belt…”
Quebec will count on Ryo Kohigashi for Saturday’s meeting (7:05 p.m.).
