You win some, you lose some. And when it comes to the technical details, hopefully things will even themselves out.
The Humboldt Midget AAA Dodgers ran their record to a solid 8-2 last week, even though they ended up losing two points via a pitch count violation. They also gained one point by the very same means.
Dodgers pitcher Keenan Lucas showed sensational stuff June 1 against the visiting Saskatoon Cubs, striking out 10 and walking just one while scattering four hits through seven innings in a 2-0 Humboldt victory.
The problem was that Lucas was pitching on less than four days rest, and he'd exceeded the league's magic pitch count number in his previous outing.
In order to reduce the risk of injury, the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League (SPBL) has a rule wherein pitchers who throw more than 86 pitches in a game must not pitch again before they've had four days of rest.
The end result: Humboldt forfeited its win.
The same thing happened to the Moose Jaw Cardinals the previous week, and they forfeited a 12-12 tie against Humboldt. So Humboldt lost two points, but gained one back.
Dodgers manager Roger Gerwing noted the Dodgers were in a tight spot after using all four of their remaining pitchers in their doubleheader against Moose Jaw. They also hadn't been keeping track of Lucas' pitches in his last game, when he went five innings.
Gerwing said he and Dodgers coach Mike Suchan discussed whether or not to go with Lucas on Wednesday.
"We thought we were OK," Gerwing said. "It turns out we weren't."
"I feel really bad for the kid because he pitched a great game," he added. "But in truth, we're still glad we threw him, because that was the best he's pitched for us in the last two years. His first outing he wasn't nearly as sharp, and he struggled with his control. This game his control was exceptional, he went the distance, and now he's got his confidence back. From that standpoint, it was definitely worth it."
Gerwing noted that Lucas' stats for the game will still be recognized by the SPBL.
"Keenan pitched a great game for us," Dodger Karsten Hoehn added in response to his teammate's performance. "His control was awesome. The defence was there too, and we're swinging the bat really well right now - doing all the things it takes to win. But everything else seems pretty easy when you've got great pitching."
Two more wins
The Dodgers hosted the Regina Angels for a doubleheader on Sunday, June 4, and came away with two more wins. Their 8-2 record now puts them in sole possession of second place in the SPBL standings, two points behind the undefeated Regina Mets, who are 8-0-2.
Craig McWillie pitched a solid six innings for the Dodgers in game one of the June 4 doubleheader against the Angels, while Dean Jaeb earned the save in relief as the Dodgers won 4-1.
Game two was a much tighter affair, as Humboldt's bats were pretty quiet for much of the day. Jordan Gerwing pounded out his league-leading fourth triple of the season in the sixth inning to bring home what turned out to be the winning run in a 2-0 Humboldt decision.
With the bats not doing very much otherwise, Gerwing and Suchan opted for a little trickery in order to get some insurance later in the same inning. With runners on first and third with one out, they had runner Eric Bollefer take a huge lead off first base, prompting a throw from the pitcher. While the Angels were busy catching Bollefer in a rundown, Jason Fleischhacker trotted home from third to make it 2-0.
Humboldt has a bit of a layoff for the next week before playing a trio of road games, in Saskatoon (June 14 against the Giants) and Regina (a June 19 doubleheader against the Regina Athletics).
The Dodgers' next home action is Sunday, June 26, when they play a doubleheader against the Regina Wolfpack. Game times are 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
