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Matt LaPorta dominates in Durham, NC

I finally got to see Matt LaPorta first-hand, and he put on quite the show.

Matt LaPorta is currently playing for Team USA, who is about to head to Beijing, China to play in the final Olympic games for the sport of baseball. Team USA made a stop in North Carolina where USA baseball’s headquarters is located for a series against Team Canada, in an Olympic tune-up. I managed to make the final game of the series on Monday Night, and I wasn’t disappointed in the team, or in Matt LaPorta, who put the final touches on a dominant series for the future-Indians-star.

I nearly missed the fireworks.

I walked into the stadium just before second inning started, coming in through an outfield entrance. Before I could make it to the right field foul pole, LaPorta was announced as the next batter. I stopped to watch the sluggers first at-bat of the game, figuring that by the time I made it closer, his at-bat would be over. I was lucky I stayed put.

LaPorta took what I believe was an 0-2 pitch and launched it over the ‘blue monster’ in left field (pictured above). Yes, the famous bull is located there, moved over from its former perch in right field to its current left field spot. No, LaPorta didn’t hit the freakin’ bull, but the home run was something to behold. I couldn’t tell if it cleared the Bull from where I was standing, but it was a massive blast.

LaPorta would ground out in the third. He would get on in the fifth inning on a throwing error by the third baseman, and move over to second base on the play. He would eventually score on a single. He would drive in a run later in the inning, with a single to left field. It was a nine-run inning, and it was ugly for Team Canada. LaPorta would reach on another error in the seventh inning, and score after a double and a wild pitch. That would be the last inning, as Team USA mercy-ruled the Canadians, 17-5.

LaPorta certainly made an impression, and I was lucky enough to see him on base four out of his five at-bats. Still, I can’t shake that mammoth blast that he hit in the second inning. I’m not sure of the distance, but I would be curious to find out how long that home run was.

LaPorta had a good overall four-game series, going 5 for 16 overall, with a double and three home runs, to go with six runs and five RBI. He looked smooth in right field, and I really don’t see the issues in the outfield that many do. He did give up a single on a hit that I thought he could get too, but other than that, he looked as natural as most. Of course, one-game is a small sample size, and it was in right field, not the left the Indians are projecting him as. With all that said, I can’t wait to see this kid wearing an Indians’ uniform.

I got to see Nick Weglarz as well, who was playing for Team Canada. Weglarz went 1 for 2 with a walk, but hit a double into the gap in right-center in the fourth inning. He was thrown out at third on fielder’s choice that cost Canada, as the next player it a single down the line. I’ve seen him play before, but forgot how god-awful big he is. LaPorta is big too, but Weglarz seems to be a lot bigger than LaPorta. Weglarz DH-ed for the Canadians on Monday, and that seems to be his future. I can’t imagine a kid that big is going to project as an outfielder.

Jeff Stevens didn’t pitch last night, but his news of note is that he got the loss in the Americans only loss of the four-game series. A friend of mine was at the entire series, and said that Stevens looked good in his other outing. He also had his camera at all four games. I should have pictures later in the week.

Most of you know I was a Matt LaPorta believe before this game. Well, he certainly did nothing to change that opinion on Monday night.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 at 9:16 pm and is filed under James Pete, Jeff Stevens, Team Canada, Matt LaPorta, Cleveland Indians, Team USA, Tribe report. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.