Mother Nature made it difficult for either starting pitcher to establish much rhythm yesterday at Merchantsauto.com Stadium.
Nonetheless, Portland starter and Litchfield native Kyle Jackson said he opted to find the silver lining in an afternoon dominated by storm clouds.
"My fastball was working. I kept it down," Jackson said after yesterday's rubber match against the Fisher Cats was suspended by rain in the fourth inning. "My curveball, the ones I threw, were really good. I got a couple outs with it. Cutter, slider was really good."
In his latest hardball homecoming, Jackson tossed 3? 2/3 innings. The Sea Dogs trailed, 4-1, when the contest was suspended after a 90-minute rain delay. His unofficial pitching line included three hits, four runs (four earned), three walks and four strikeouts.
While that line was hardly overwhelming, the slender 6-foot 3-inch righty said he was largely pleased with his concentration given the conditions. The wet weather presented yet another challenge for Jackson, attempting to turn the career corner against the Fisher Cats.
Prior to the first pitch, Jackson struggled in 35?2?3 career innings against New Hampshire. In that span, the Fishers collected 48 hits (seven home runs) and scored 30 runs (27 earned) against Jackson, whose career record and ERA against the Fishers are 1-3 and 6.81, respectively.
In those 35-plus frames, the 25-year-old fanned 22 Fishers. But he also walked 20.
And walks hurt the former Alvirne High of Hudson hurler in his third start of the season. Scott Campbell and Jacob Butler turned two of Jackson's four free passes into runs.
Yet Jackson, a 32nd-round selection in 2001, recognized hitters were attacking his first-pitch fastball in the second inning. He made the necessary adjustment in the third, and threw his cut fastball and curve on the first pitch. The result was a 1-2-3 inning.
"There's not much (pressure to perform in Manchester)," Jackson said. "I just go out there and "¦ just try to get the outs, keep the ball down (in the strike zone). I know the job I need to do. It's to throw strikes."
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UP NEXT: The Fisher Cats begin a four-game set tonight at New Britain. Probable starters for the series opener are New Hampshire right-hander Scott Richmond (4-8, 5.23 ERA) and Rock Cats lefty Kyle Aselton (3-1, 4.78). First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.
