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Alden Carrithers extended his on-base streak to 23 games

Red Sox Shut Out Orleans For Just Second Time This Season

Cardinals can't capitalize on opportunity to gain ground in standings

July 26, 2007

By: Brett Brecheisen - Orleans Cardinals Intern

Orleans, Massachusetts – It’s never good when the game-winning hit comes on the second pitch of the game, but it was just one of those nights for the Orleans Cardinals.  2B Grant Green (USC) led off the game with a home run and that was the only run the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox would need as they defeated Orleans, 3-0.

Other than the lead-off home run, Cardinals starting RHP Michael Schwimer (Virginia) pitched brilliantly.  The right-hander had struggled in his last two starts but came out on firing on all cylinders tonight.  He pitched six innings allowing just that one run and did not walk a batter.  He also struck out four Red Sox hitters.

“I felt real good today. I’ve been working on a changeup all week and I was able to throw it today.  I was able to mix a lot of pitches and kept them off balance and that’s why I succeeded,” Schwimer said. “I had the best control I’ve had all summer.  I got into just one three-ball count the whole game and I was able to come back from it.  I was able to hit my spots a lot and you’re going to get results when you do that,” he added.

Schwimer could not find any run support, however, as Orleans was shut out for just the second time this season.  The Cardinals had many opportunities early in the game, but left seven runners on base in just the first five innings as they failed to pick up a timely hit.

“They pitched well.  You have to get a big hit every once in awhile and try to play with a lead and score first and we didn’t do that tonight.  You’re not going to win any games without scoring a run,” Manager Kelly Nicholson said.

There was not a lot of positive that happened for the Cardinals offensively tonight.  Orleans struck out 12 times and went down looking for five of them.

“We’re just trying to put it in play with two strikes.  Ideally we want to stay out of two strike counts because it’s tough hitting with two strikes.  We need to be aggressive early in the count and try to hit fastballs.  Y-D is a good example of that.  They are very aggressive early in counts and lead the league in hitting,” Nicholson said. 

It wasn’t a completely terrible night offensively as 2B Alden Carrithers (UCLA) reached base for his 23^rd consecutive game.  The streak ties the 23 game streak that Hyannis’ Shane Peterson set earlier in the season, and if Carrithers reaches base tomorrow night he will have the longest on-base streak in the CCBL this season.

“I think Alden has a very good eye and a great feel for the strike zone.  He really makes pitchers work and he fouls off a lot of pitches.  He really works counts and is a tough, tough out.  He makes contact and doesn’t strike out.  He seems to always put the ball in play,” Coach Nicholson said.

The loss puts a lot of extra meaning on the Cardinals game tomorrow night with Chatham.  The Cardinals now reside in fourth place, just one point behind Brewster and five behind Chatham with eight games to play.  Luckily for the Cards, they will face Chatham twice and Brewster once in those final three games but are under a lot of pressure as they need to win all three games to have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.

“Tomorrow night is obviously big.  It’s a four point swing and kind of a must win for us against Chatham,” Nicholson said.

To make things even more difficult, the Cardinals will have to face LHP Tommy Milone (USC) tomorrow night.  Milone has started three of the four games in which the A’s and Cardinals have met and has posted a 2-0 record and a 1.40 ERA in those starts.  Even Coach Nicholson has struggled to find a way to score runs against the Trojan southpaw.

“I don’t know how to hit Tommy Milone.  I hope we can find an answer tomorrow night because we haven’t found one for three games.  He’s a left-hander that throws strikes and good changeups. He keeps the ball down and has kept our hitters off balance,” he said.

The Cardinals will look to change their fortunes against Chatham tomorrow night as Orleans will seek their first win against the Athletics this season.  Receiving the ball for Orleans is LHP Craig Bennigson (California).  Bennigson has not faced Chatham this season but has not lost a decision all season and is second on the team in strikeouts.  The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm at Eldredge Park.  A large crowd is expected to be on hand so show up early and cheer on your Cardinals!

W – Trevor Holder (Georgia), 3-1

L – Michael Schwimer (Virginia), 2-2

SV – Matt Wickswat (Santa Clara), 1