Orleans Firebirds

West Wins Rain-Shortened All-Star Game

July 23, 2009

By Tyler Maland

Boston, Mass. - It was only fitting that the 2009 Cape League’s most consistent performer – the rain – made the biggest impact in Thursday night’s All-Star game at Fenway Park. In a season plagued by rainouts (44 of them so far), the Western Division won the Under Armour Cape League All-Star game 3-0 in four and a half innings before a steady mist turned to heavy rain and sent away fans, coaches and players before anyone had really gotten their fill of baseball.

Orleans Firebirds Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) and Gary Brown (CS Fullerton) started for the Eastern squad, Rasmussen as the pitcher and Brown as the center fielder and leadoff hitter. Alex Hassan (Duke) and Elliot Glynn (Connecticut) got in the game as reserves, and Casey Gaynor (Rutgers) rounded out the Orleans representatives but was one of nine pitchers who did not play.

Even for the starters, however, it may be the other things – signing autographs in front of the Red Sox dugout, hitting a home-run over the Green Monster in batting practice, seeing their names on the big screen over center field – that prove most memorable.

Rasmussen was honored as the East’s starting pitcher, but gave up two runs, one earned, in one inning. The game started inauspiciously with an error at third base, and the West’s second hitter Zach Cox (Cotuit/Arkansas) followed with an RBI triple to dead center before scoring on a ground-out.

Brown was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, and Hassan came in as a substitute and walked in his only at-bat. Glynn pitched a solid fourth inning for the East, giving up a double before retiring three straight batters to get out of the inning.

It was Cox that was most impressive on this short night. He finished 2-for-2 with one run and two RBI, adding an RBI single in his second at-bat to tack on the West’s third run. Cox was named MVP of the Western Division team.

Chris Sale (Y-D/Florida Gulf Coast) earned MVP honors for the East, throwing just six pitches for a perfect third inning.

Brandon Workman (Wareham/Texas) started for the West and earned the win.

Connor Powers (Harwich Mariners/Mississippi St.) won the home run hitting contest that preceded the game, hitting three blasts in the first round and two in the second and final round to defeat Cameron Rupp (Cotuit/Texas).

After a short break, Orleans will start its final push for the playoffs at home Friday night at 7:00 pm against Wareham – barring, of course, another rainout.

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Home Firebirds News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	West Wins Rain-Shortened All-Star Game July 23, 2009 By Tyler Maland Boston, Mass. - It was only fitting that the 2009 Cape League’s most consistent performer – the rain – made the biggest impact in Thursday night’s All-Star game at Fenway Park. In a season plagued by rainouts (44 of them so far), the Western Division won the Under Armour Cape League All-Star game 3-0 in four and a half innings before a steady mist turned to heavy rain and sent away fans, coaches and players before anyone had really gotten their fill of baseball. Orleans Firebirds Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) and Gary Brown (CS Fullerton) started for the Eastern squad, Rasmussen as the pitcher and Brown as the center fielder and leadoff hitter. Alex Hassan (Duke) and Elliot Glynn (Connecticut) got in the game as reserves, and Casey Gaynor (Rutgers) rounded out the Orleans representatives but was one of nine pitchers who did not play. Even for the starters, however, it may be the other things – signing autographs in front of the Red Sox dugout, hitting a home-run over the Green Monster in batting practice, seeing their names on the big screen over center field – that prove most memorable. Rasmussen was honored as the East’s starting pitcher, but gave up two runs, one earned, in one inning. The game started inauspiciously with an error at third base, and the West’s second hitter Zach Cox (Cotuit/Arkansas) followed with an RBI triple to dead center before scoring on a ground-out. Brown was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, and Hassan came in as a substitute and walked in his only at-bat. Glynn pitched a solid fourth inning for the East, giving up a double before retiring three straight batters to get out of the inning. It was Cox that was most impressive on this short night. He finished 2-for-2 with one run and two RBI, adding an RBI single in his second at-bat to tack on the West’s third run. Cox was named MVP of the Western Division team. Chris Sale (Y-D/Florida Gulf Coast) earned MVP honors for the East, throwing just six pitches for a perfect third inning. Brandon Workman (Wareham/Texas) started for the West and earned the win. Connor Powers (Harwich Mariners/Mississippi St.) won the home run hitting contest that preceded the game, hitting three blasts in the first round and two in the second and final round to defeat Cameron Rupp (Cotuit/Texas). After a short break, Orleans will start its final push for the playoffs at home Friday night at 7:00 pm against Wareham – barring, of course, another rainout.