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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2019)
A8 THE ASTORIAN • THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 CONTACT US FOLLOW US Gary Henley | Sports Reporter ghenley@dailyastorian.com facebook.com/ DailyAstorianSports Taylor quietly the best player of Seahawks training camp so far By GREGG BELL News Tribune R ENTON, Wash. — A nickel for Jamar Tay- lor’s thoughts? The veteran is absolutely not shy about saying his standout play in offseason practices and now in this Seahawks training camp will ulti- mately speak for itself, whether as an experienced cornerback Seattle lacks or the new fi fth, nickel defensive back it needs. “The tape doesn’t lie, and I know that I con- sistently make plays, every day,” the 28-year-old Taylor said following his latest impressive prac- tice Tuesday. “We’ve got great coaches, great teammates that are allowing me to pick up the play- book, and it’s allowing me to play fast.” Seattle is searching for a replace- ment for Justin Coleman, its effec- tive nickel back the last two sea- sons, who signed with Detroit for a whopping $9 million per year this spring. The self-assured Taylor has been one of the quiet standouts of camp. Almost daily, he has been intercepting passes and knocking down throws from quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Geno Smith and Paxton Lynch to starting receivers. In the seventh practice of camp this month, during a drill of wide receivers versus defen- sive backs near the goal line, Taylor stayed chest to chest with Tyler Lockett as the Seahawks’ top wide out faked inside, then faked outside and tried to cut inside of Taylor. When Smith’s pass arrived, Taylor was right there to bat it from Lockett at the goal line. A few reps later, Taylor was against Lockett again. Lockett ran a fade route trying to separate from Taylor toward the back left of the end zone. Taylor refused to be left behind. He knocked away that pass from Smith, too. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” coaches and players yelled at Taylor. That’s what he’s talkin’ about, too. So far, though, Taylor’s not mov- ing much up the depth chart. Not yet, anyway. The Seahawks have yet to play their second of four preseason games. That comes Sunday night at Minnesota. Taylor fi gures to play most of the game. He thinks he’s earned that. “I mean, I wouldn’t say it’s not frustrating. Being a com- petitor, it is,” Taylor said of his See Taylor, Page A7 JAMAR TAYLOR Acereros Baseball Former Astoria High School pitcher Conor Harber now wears No. 71 for Acereros del Norte of the Mexican League. Astoria’s Harber now pitching in Mexico The Astorian Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico, is the latest stop in the professional baseball career of Conor Harber. The Astoria High School graduate, released by the Biloxi Shuckers last spring, has landed south of the border, where he pitches for Acereros del Norte, a Triple A minor league baseball team in the Mexican League. Listed as a 6-foot-2, 205-pound pitcher for Acereros, Harber will turn 26 in December. Currently managed by Pat Listach, the Acereros del Norte team has two pitching coaches, includ- ing former Los Angeles Dodger/Oakland Athletic Dave Stewart. After competing in col- lege at Western Nevada College (2013-14) and the University of Ore- gon (2015), Harber was drafted in the 16th round of the 2015 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He broke into the pro- fessional ranks with the Helena (Montana) Brew- ers of the Pioneer League, then went on to pitch for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2016 (single A, full season), the Carolina Mudcats in 2017-18 (sin- gle A, advanced), and the Biloxi Shuckers in 2018 (double A), before being released by the Shuckers on March 24 of this year. Harber signed with Acereros on July 13, and picked up a victory six days later, allowing three hits with fi ve strikeouts in fi ve innings pitched in a 12-2 win over Sultanes de Monterrey. Harber took the loss Sunday, as the Toros de Tijuana defeated Acere- ros 5-0. #8 — Cornerback The Astorian The many hats worn by Astoria’s Conor Harber, since graduating from high school. www.clatsopcc.edu/CEL Mariners reliever Wisler carving out role as their trusted opener By LAUREN SMITH News Tribune SEATTLE — After nearly three months of trial, some success, and a lot of error, the Seattle Mariners may have fi nally found their opener. Right-hander Matt Wis- ler — one of eight reliev- ers the Mariners have audi- tioned for the fi rst-inning job this season — has had arguably the most success starting games in front of bulk pitchers Wade LeB- lanc and Tommy Milone. Through four appear- ances and six innings as the opener, Wisler has yet to allow a walk or a run. He’s given up just two hits AP Photo/Ted S. Warren Matt Wisler throws against the San Diego Padres. while striking out fi ve, and has twice worked multiple innings. “He’s embraced it,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “I think some of the guys realize, ‘Hey, that could be my niche,’ if you’re not afraid of it. And, considering it’s an approach the Mariners will continue to use — LeBlanc and Milone have a com- bined 3.85 ERA pitching behind openers compared to a 7.04 ERA as starters — it has helped Wisler carve out a sustainable role. “The big advantage for him is he’s started to many games throughout his career, so he doesn’t get too hyped up,” Servais said. “It’s a different role,” Wisler said. “But, at this point in my career (any watch to pitch) in the big leagues is good with me.” See Wisler, Page A7 Join CMH as CCC presents the 6 th Annual Conference on Extraordinary Living Saturday, Sept 7th 8:30 am to 1:30 pm Clatsop Community College in Columbia Hall 1651 Lexington Ave, Astoria You are invited to help Maintain the Grange • Morning coffee and goodies • Free lunch • Free blood pressure checks provided by Clatsop Care This year’s Conference on Extraordinary Living (CEL) for people ages 50+ will feature a keynote address titled “Around Oregon: Trains” followed by three breakout sessions with four informative presentations in each breakout. Breakout topics include Natural Healthcare, Tai Chi, Exploring the Internet, Paint Party, ENCORE sampler, and more! • Two shuttles from Seaside (departing from Suzanne Elise and the Bob Chisholm Community Center at 8 am) For more information or to pre-register, visit clatsopcc.edu/cel or call 503-338-2411 Sunday, August 18 th • 3 PM to 8 PM 90525 Logan Rd., Astoria, Oregon Vegetarian Dinner, Pie Auction, Contra Dance Dinner Prepared by The Blue Scorcher Bakery and Café Pies auctioned by Merrianne Meyers Contra Dance called by Dave Ambrose with music by Gina & Hobi Kytr Tickets at the door, kids eat free, dinner begins at 3 pm Suggested dinner price $10 • The Netel Grange is an alcohol and smoke free venue Clatsop Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. ADA accessible. For the complete Non-Discrimination and Accommodations statements, please visit https://www.clatsopcc.edu/ada. Clatsop Community College es una institución de igualdad de oportunidades y de discriminación positiva. Para las declaraciones completas de No- discriminacion y de Ayuda a las personas discapacitadas, por favor visite https://www.clatsopcc.edu/ada.
