Luis Severino walked onto Hadlock Field as one of the hottest starting pitchers in the minor leagues, and ranked as the New York Yankees’ No. 1 prospect. He is only 21.
Mike McCarthy is one of the old men on the Portland Sea Dogs at 27. A 14th-round draft pick in 2011, McCarthy is used as both a starter and reliever. He is not a ranked prospect.
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WHO: Trenton Thunder (Brady Lail 0-1) at Portland Sea Dogs (William Cuevas 1-1)
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
So naturally, with all the hype lopsidedly lavished on one pitcher, it was the other who shined Friday night.
McCarthy allowed no runs and four hits over six innings as Portland topped the Trenton Thunder, 10-3.
The Sea Dogs got to Severino (1-1) for six runs, three earned, on eight hits over five-plus innings. It was his worst start since pitching in Class A last May.
Severino features a 95 mph fastball, superb change-up and slider. He struck out six but enough Sea Dogs got on, including Blake Tekotte, who tripled and scored in the second, then doubled in a run in the fourth.
“He definitely has good stuff,” Tekotte said. “We put some good swings on him and took advantage of some of his mistakes. Just how baseball is sometimes.”
McCarthy’s fastball is between 88 and 90 mph but not so easy to hit. Plus he mixes in a slider and change-up.
“He was throwing strikes with multiple pitches,” catcher Michael Brenly said. “He had to keep them off balance, because they’re a pretty potent lineup.
“He has the ability to cut his fastball, take a little off it and it is not straight. That’s tough on the batter.”
McCarthy (2-1) has only started one-third of his time in the minors. He was used in relief most of spring training, until late March. McCarthy gave up eight earned runs his first start but rebounded with two straight scoreless outings – both against Trenton and its prospect-rich lineup.
Friday was his longest outing since last May and he finished strong with two strikeouts in the sixth – against top prospects Aaron Judge and Greg Bird.
“Felt good, just like at Trenton,” McCarthy said. “Pounding everything for strikes.”
And McCarthy said it didn’t matter that he was opposing a touted starter.
“You get caught up in that and you lose your focus,” he said. “When you go out there, you’re just competing the best you can.”
Portland chased Severino in the sixth, with the first four batters reaching (two singles, a walk and an error).
Carlos Asuaje of Portland had three RBI on two singles. Oscar Tejeda doubled in two runs.
NOTES: The announced paid attendance was 4,674. … Infielder Reed Gragnani was a late scratch because of illness. … Keury De La Cruz, who hasn’t played in a week, said he injured his leg and expects to be back soon. … New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler will appear Monday at Hadlock Field with the Lombardi Trophy. Fans will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with the trophy during the game.
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