Rogers, Valdes Jr. spur Team New Blue to comeback win

Ontario Blue Jays outfielder Jorge Valdes Jr. (Milton, Ont.) had two hits, a run, an RBI and an outfield assist for Team New Blue in their 6-5 win over Team Red at the Canadian Futures Showcase on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays Academy.

September 21, 2023

By Zulfi Sheikh

Centennial Sports Journalism

TORONTO – Mark Rogers pitched three scoreless innings and Jorge Valdes Jr. singled in the eventual winning run as Team New Blue rallied to pick up a 6-5 victory against Team Red at the Rogers Centre on Thursday afternoon.

After finding themselves in a 4-0 hole through the first three innings of the Canadian Futures Showcase game, Rogers (Cambridge, Ont.) came in for struggling starting pitcher Ryan Press (Toronto, Ont.), who tossed three innings, giving up four earned on five walks and two strikeouts.

“The mindset was clear,” said Rogers post-game. “I was trying to help my boys. We got out to a tough start, but the mindset was pretty open and clear.

“It was a fresh start for me, and I think that [performance] carried over into our win today.”

The left-hander stayed in the rest of the way for Team New Blue despite being scheduled for only two innings. That added workload was something Rogers described as a “huge opportunity,” as he helped his squad pick up its second victory of the tournament.

While Rogers handled his business on the mound, it was players like Valdes Jr. who got to work at the plate for New Blue. The left fielder finished the game with two hits, an RBI, and a run scored.

Team New Blue catcher Matt Macdonald (Kamloops, B.C.) applies the tag at home plate on a throw from Jorge Valdes Jr. (Milton, Ont.). This play kept the deficit at four as Team New Blue would rally to eventually win the game 6-5. Photo: Carter Smith

The 18-year-old Valdes Jr. also had one of the defensive highlights of the day, picking up a ball that dropped into left field and zipping it home in time for New Red’s Jamie Mercer (Oakville, Ont.) to be tagged out by Matt MacDonald (Kamloops, B.C.) to end the second inning.

“My type of game is being a good defender,” said Valdes Jr. after the win. “Anything to help my team on defence … getting good throws from the outfield is definitely something I take pride in.

“I’m confident in my arm and I know I can rely on it.”

Team New Blue’s other runs came courtesy of Anthony Clavet (Quebec, Que.), Nathan Flewelling (Innisfail, Alta.), Eric Machej (Okotoks, Alta.), and Keenan Parker (St. Albert, Alta.) who scored twice.

On the other side, Team Red’s Dante Smith (Ajax, Ont.) took Player of the Game honours as the centre fielder. He scored a run, recorded a hit, and drove in an RBI. His shining moment came in the bottom of the fifth when he made a leaping grab towards the outfield wall of a well-hit ball from Machej.

Team Red starter Russell Kwinter (Toronto) put forth an efficient outing as he pitched two innings and gave up one hit and collected a strikeout in Team Red’s second loss of the week.