We Got Wood - 46.25 - Marquez and Engeitado Winning in Relief

[7teen]

Portland's shift in pitching philosophy for the 2046 seasons had several early season hiccups but things have started smoothing itself out over the long haul. Sitting close to .500, the team is in the midst of its best season ever and benefitting from that are two Lumberjacks relievers. Luis Marquez and Faical Engeitado have used the new pitching strategy to their advantage and are both on the verge and in a race to set the franchise's single season win record this season which stands at 13.

Entering the final sim of August, Marquez sits atop the team wins total with 11. He's a combined 11-1 on the season over 73 games this year. He did make 1 start earlier in the season that lasted 1 inning and resulted in a no decision. Keeping pace is the lefty Engeitado who is also at double digit wins on the season and is a perfect 10-0 on the year thanks in large part to collecting 3 wins in the team's latest sim. Both successes and solid records are in large part to the change in focus on the rotation this season.

"We've used our starting pitchers differently this season" commented manager Pedro Medina, "which has allowed Faical and Luis to really benefit. "We've limited our usage of starting pitchers, and in some cases, have kept them from even making it to the 5th inning to record the win. This has allowed individuals like Faical and Luis to enter games and vulture a few wins. It has also caused for increase bullpen usage this season, something we wanted to see this year as well. I think it's helped our situation in 2046 and that is evidenced by our current situation in the standings."

The franchise record for games appeared in my a Lumberjacks pitcher entering the season was 62 by Vincente Venalde. Scotts Joe previously held it at 61. No one else in the franchise's short history had cleared 52 games pitched. However this season has seen a huge shift in that. Five relievers have already eclipsed Venalde's mark of 62 and all 5 are already over 70 games pitched in this season. Engeitado currently leads the 2046 team in games pitched with 78 appearances. The club also has approximately 6 relievers who could surpass 100 innings this season, Engeitado and Marquez included.

But for now, the duo and fans alike eye the single season wins record. Gusby Pinkerton, back in 2044 as a rookie, set the single season wins mark for the franchise at 13 as a starting pitcher. Both Marquez and Engeitado have a chance as the club still has 32 games left on the schedule.

"I'm wanting it bad" said Faical after the last game. "Is there another player in the history of the league that can say they own the single season franchise records in Wins as a pitcher AND Triples as a hitter?" he concluded jokingly.