HEARD AROUND THE LEAGUE

ELIMS WIN SIXTH STRAIGHT, TIED FOR THIRD

Frostbite Falls---Two weeks ago, the three-time world champion Frostbite franchise was vying for the best record in BARB. Now, in the throes of a season-high losing streak, the host Squirrels could only squirm in horror as the visiting Eliminators vaulted back into the ultra-competitive East race by taking both halves of a doubleheader, setting up the possibility of a four-game sweep at Frostbite’s expense. Worcester and Frostbite Falls finished the one-sided day with identical records (34-28), tied for third in the East and (not coincidentally) for the best overall mark in the league.

PERENNIAL CONTENDERS STRUGGLING

What prompted this collapse? In a word, a devastating run of injuries. While the Squirrels have gotten Brad Hawpe back, and expect Carlos Pena to return to action soon, the biggest bullet in their gun (superstar slugger Albert Pujols) would be out for at least ten more games, along with 3B Hank Blalock, C Victor Martinez, setup man Pat Neshek and starter Brad Penny. It has led to an offense which, over the last two weeks, has averaged just 3.3 runs per game with a .683 OPS (on-base plus slugging), both figures 11^th in the league. Compare that to May 17^th, when the Squirrels led all of BARB with a team OPS of .802 and 5.7 runs per game.

The only team faring worse? Last year’s defending world champion, the Yuma Firebirds. Despite a narrow lead in the West, they have managed to hit just .219 and score less than three runs per game over the last two weeks, and there are even some whispers that GM Chris Melkonian may pack it in and have a fire sale if his club’s bats don’t heat up very soon!

Yuma has also been hurt by injuries (RHP Carlos Zambrano, 3B Ryan Zimmerman, DH Travis Hafner, RHP Rafael Soriano), but there is also a bit of a mystery in the performance of players like 2B Brian Roberts and CF Nick Markakis. The malaise is so bad that a rival GM even went so far as to predict that his club would not only dethrone the world champs, but that they were poised to dominate the Western Division for years to come!

VETERAN CLUBS GET RELIEF HELP

Office of the League Commissioner----The Brooklyn Moabs, who have been patching together their staff much of the season, finally caught a break as they were able to activate both LHP Mike Gonzalez and RHP Joel Zumaya, a pair of relievers that project to average better a strikeout an inning with sub-3.00 ERA’s if they can pitch to their potential prior to injury.

Also getting a boost: the S-Mart Boom Sticks, who have been quietly sticking around in the weak Central Division but now have added both RHP Fernando Rodney and Jason Isringhausen, a pair of valuable arms to boost their bullpen depth. Insiders speculated that the Boom Sticks might feel free to now dangle a bullpen arm and see what they can get for them down the stretch.

WORCESTER 13, FROSTBITE FALLS 5

WP: Jesse Litsch (4-1, 3.88)
LP: Ben Sheets (1-6, 4.75)

Grady Sizemore and Hanley Ramirez each had three hits, and (getting the odd start at 2B) Derek Jeter continued to sizzle, scoring three runs to lead the Eliminators suddenly-hot lineup. Over the last 15 games, no club has scored more runs that Matt Caskey’s crew, as the Worsters have scored 6.7 runs per game while leading the league in HR, SB and BB.

Meanwhile, an incredibly unlucky Ben Sheets fell to 1-6 even though BARB hitters haven’t exactly hit him hard. But it seems that with Sheets this season, every ball just finds a hole. His batting average against with balls put in play is .299, well above the league average.

DARWIN 8, BROOKLYN 5

WP: Zack Grienke (7-2, 4.05)
LP: Ubaldo Jiminez (3-2, 5.04)
SV: Gregg (4)

A stretched-out (but fully-rested) Zack Grienke went seven innings for the first time this year, and the Finches bullpen held off a late rally as the visitors improved to 39-23, tops in the league. They did this despite a season-high 5 RBI for Chase Utley, who hit a pair of HR (#10 and #11) to pace the Moabs attack.

LAS VEGAS 4, BLACK MESA 3

WP: A.J. Burnett (8-3, 3.63)
LP: Justin Verlander (4-8, 4.69)
SV: Rivera (13)

The Anomalies Achilles heel at shortstop finally hurt them in a big way with Rafael Furcal sidelined, as fill-in Ian Kinsler kicked a pair of grounders, leading to four unearned runs for starter Justin Verlander and a tough-luck loss to the Luchadores, who only managed five hits---but one of them was Matt Holliday’s 16^th HR of the season, with two men aboard.

OAKEYLAND 5, YUMA 4

WP: Jeff Francis (6-4, 3.84)
LP: Carlos Zambrano (5-3, 4.24)
SV: Speir (2)

In a case of insult to injury, the slumping Firebirds first lost starter Carlos Zambrano to a shoulder strain in the middle of the game, then failed to score in the top of the ninth after loading the bases against starter Francis and reliever Aaron Fultz: Nick Markakis was picked off third by an alert Ivan Rodriguez, and pinch-hitter Josh Bard then rapped into a game-ending double play! Owch.

CASSELTON 4, S-MART 3 (10 innings)

WP: Bobby Jenks (2-2, 2.30)
LP: Juan Cruz (2-3, 7.83)
SV: Hoffman (1)

Trevor Hoffman finally collected his first save of the year after Bobby Jenks blew only his second such opportunity of the season, as Brandon Phillips singled with two out in the tenth to cap the Horned Toads late-inning comeback. Trailing 3-1 entering the ninth, the Toads got late life when Jermaine Dye homered off J.C. Romero to force extra innings.