NEWS PHOTOS JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Mavericks pitcher Cesar Rodriguez unleashes a pitch in the ninth inning and celebrates an inning-ending strikeout in the 10th of the Mavs’ 5-4 extra innings win Friday at Athletic Park over the Weyburn Beavers.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Cesar Rodriguez isn’t shy to let out a big yell, or bump his fists after an inning-ending strikeout.
The Medicine Hat Mavericks reliever tries to keep his passion level as low as he can, not letting himself get too worked up in moments but admits sometimes he has to let it out.
“I always try to keep passion at a low, even if it’s a tough situation, if we’re losing by a lot, that’s just our situation,” Rodriguez said.
He unleashed his passion and showcased why he’s been a relied upon arm in the Mavs’ bullpen, in the 5-4 10th inning win Friday over the Weyburn Beavers.
Starter Braedon Davis worked five innings to start the game, allowing four runs on six hits. Rodriguez worked the last five innings of the game, allowing just two hits and two walks, striking out a pair for the win.
He held Weyburn at bay after they led 4-3 through five innings, allowing the Mavs the opportunity to come back.
Rodriguez unleashed a thunderous shout in the 10th inning, striking out the final batter of the frame, Ian Heck, who drew a walk in the eighth inning off Rodriguez. While he was celebrating getting out of the 10th inning, he says he also wanted to beat the batter who overcame him.
“He got away from me the last time and I wanted to make sure it didn’t happen, especially with how we were in extra innings,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to make sure that I could get that final out and help us get back in the dugout and win the ballgame. Thankfully, I was able to do that.”
The Mavs won the game in the bottom of that frame, on a laser of an RBI double from Evan Morrison. It was the hometown kid’s first walkoff hit of his career, a memorable knock he says would not have been possible without Rodriguez’s effort.
“Talk about a guy who comes in in tough spots and performs, I don’t have words to explain him,” Morrison said. “He’s the true MVP of that game, truly. The walk-off doesn’t come unless he shuts the door for five innings, he comes in and he just gets the job done. He gets the boys hyped out there when he gets it done, everybody loves it.”
Rodriguez has been utilized early and often out of the Mavs’ bullpen, racking up 21.2 innings in 43 games, the most of any Mavs pitcher without a game started. He’s been utilized to eat innings while keeping the Mavs in the game, and also in a shutdown role with a lead. He’s recorded 23 strikeouts and has a 2-1 record out of the bullpen with a 6.23 era.
Head coach Kevin Mitchell says they’ve had multiple guys step up and find success in multi inning appearances but he says Rodriguez has become a relied upon arm in the bigger moments the game has to offer.
“Cesar specifically has pitched in some really big spots for us and come through when we really needed him to,” Mitchell said. “It speaks to his ability as a pitcher, his maturity, he seems to love it and seems to love those moments.”
Rodriguez says when he enters a game, whether the Mavs are trailing, ahead or tied, his only focus is giving them a chance to win. Whether it’s been a one-inning appearance or multiple frames, he’s enjoying his high leverage role and the responsibilities it provides.
“It shows they have the confidence in me to be put me in this tough situation,” Rodriguez said. “No matter what it is, they have the confidence in me to go out there and compete and give us a chance to win a ballgame every day.”
Rodriguez, a product of Houtson, Tex., says he’s enjoyed Medicine Hat more and more as the summer has flown by and has appreciated the community’s impact.
“Especially with the fact that the community is behind our team right here,” Rodriguez said. “My billet family has been fantastic, they take care of me really well and they’re always coming out to ballgames. What more can I ask?”
Rodriguez and the Mavs were in action Tuesday night, hosting the Regina Red Sox at Athletic Park. That game was not complete by press time, visit medicinehatnews.com/sports for a full game story.
The Mavs host the Red Sox again Wednesday, before they hit the road for two games at Weyburn and a Saturday night road contest against the Brooks Bombers.
