With a 4-2 win over the New York Boulders on Thursday night at Canac Stadium, the Quebec Capitales not only secured their qualification for the Frontier Baseball League playoffs, but also regained the lead in the East Section.
An unexpected loss by the New Jersey Jackals (57-34) to the poor Empire State Grays (18-74) earlier in the day on Thursday helped shake up the rankings. The Capitals (58-34) now have their fate in their hands as they host the final three games of the regular season against the Ottawa Titans Friday through Sunday.
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Meanwhile, it’s the Boulders (52-40), fresh off a sweep by Quebec, who will look to do damage to the Jackals in a four-game series, including a doubleheader on Friday. At the same time, the New York team will try to qualify for the elimination game between the second and third places in the division on September 5th.
By finishing atop the Eastern Section, the Capitals, reigning Frontier League champions, would avoid this one-night stand and advance directly to the Frontier League semifinals. This is a significant advantage, especially given the use of pitchers during the playoffs.
Effective palliatives
In Thursday night’s game, coach Patrick Scalabrini’s team benefited from five good innings from their star player Steven Fuentes on the mound, while Elliot Carney, Kenny Pierson, Austin Marozas and Frank Moscatiello all shined in relief.
Offensively, former New York Yankees player Greg Bird excelled with two hits and increased his batting average to .296 since joining the Capitals. Outfielder Justin Gideon scored two runs thanks to a sacrifice fly in the first inning and then a double in the eighth inning while batting for the home team.
Easy chance for Glaude
The Quebec team trailed 2-1 after seven innings, but managed a three-point lead in the eighth inning. The opportunist David Glaude from Quebec is the one who was successful in the singles and gave the Capitals the lead again.
Perfect to start the ninth inning, Moscatiello saved the ball while recording two strikeouts.