July 2, 2063 — Flames on the Field, Smoke in the Air
The Johannesburg Gold returned home from a grueling road trip with a five-game lead in the AfSAmOc, a lead more fragile than a Johannesburg popsicle in summer.
Their six-game week began with fireworks, and not the good kind. Monday’s 10-inning loss to Jerusalem featured rookie Emilio Cordero blasting two home runs in vain, while the Hebrew Hammers’ George McCoy and Jeff Sawyers had their way with Gold pitching. Fortunately, Tuesday brought a brief reprieve as Adam MacDonald, showing flashes of what would become a dominant week, powered the Gold to a 7-2 victory.
But that glimmer dimmed quickly. Despite another multi-hit game from MacDonald, the Gold dropped Wednesday’s rubber match 7-4, watching a two-run first-inning lead dissolve under Jose Castro’s steady hand and a bases-loaded walk that epitomized the team's lack of late-inning composure.
Thursday, Kiminobu Seki spun six strong innings, only to watch the bullpen collapse like a Johannesburg umbrella in a Highveld thunderstorm. A hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded—yes, you read that right—plated the decisive run in a 6-5 loss to Sydney.
Things only got worse Friday as Sydney dropped a five-run fifth on Johannesburg, capped by Wattas Hondo’s three-run blast. Gold starter Aaron Bridges never stood a chance.
But Saturday saw the Gold right the ship, thanks (again) to MacDonald, who went 3-for-4 with a homer and a double, and James Belinda, who added a blast of his own. Jeff Bannon earned his eighth win with quiet efficiency. Sunday offered the Gold a much-needed breather and a quiet day to regroup, reset, and maybe ice a few bruises.
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A handful of players turned up the temperature in June, posting scorching stats and helping keep the team atop the division. Others, however, might prefer we skip this recap altogether. Here’s who’s hot—and who’s not—as the second half looms:
Blazing:
- Kiminobu Seki - The veteran right-hander didn’t get rewarded with a win last Thursday, but his June numbers speak for themselves: a perfect 4-0 record, 1.91 ERA, and 0.99 WHIP. He’s a near-lock to represent the Gold at the All-Star Game.
- Max Dawe - In June, Dawe played like the ace his salary suggests he is, going 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA. His 1.17 WHIP shows he’s limiting damage and keeping the Gold in games.
- Adam MacDonald - The entertaining outfielder's All-Star campaign practically wrote itself: 8 home runs, a .340 average, .432 on-base percentage, and six stolen bases for good measure. He currently ranks second in division WAR behind only Cairo's Blair Peyton.
- Callum Montgomerie - The slugging first baseman quietly mashed 7 home runs and posted a 151 OPS+ in June, providing the kind of thump that gives this lineup depth beyond the usual stars.
- Essam bin Eisa - Johannesburg’s shortstop went on a 20-game hit streak en route to a .419 average for the month. The only thing hotter than his bat might be the ink on the team’s long-term plans for him.
- Fareed bin Sa'eed - There’s no sugar-coating a .625 OPS. Thankfully, bin Sa’eed might be the best defensive center fielder in the league, or this slump would be far more painful.
- Juan Garza - Despite a 2-1 record, Garza’s 6.43 ERA and 1.50 WHIP made for some rough viewing. Too many hard-hit balls and not enough strikeouts are making him look like the weak link in an otherwise solid rotation.
- Husam bin Shareef - The Rule 5 flyer hasn’t exactly paid off. With a 6.64 ERA and inconsistent command, the rookie reliever may not survive the second-half roster shuffle if the Gold make a push toward October.
Here’s something to chew on between innings: sources close to The Gold Standard have confirmed that GM Graham Luna did not return home with the team on May 23rd after a series in Sao Paulo. Instead, he reportedly took a private jet bound for the United States. A consulting gig with a BBA club? A clandestine interview with a soon-to-be-cleaning-out-his-desk GM? No one knows, and Luna isn’t talking.
The timing is especially curious. BBA involvement in the GBC has ramped up lately, with former Edmonton (now Austin Shredders) GM Mike Neugebauer taking over the Moscow Thunder Bears and Yellow Springs’ own Rob McMonigal assuming a remote front office role in Athens. That’s in addition to known BBA dual-role holders like David Burcicki (Charm City/Jerusalem) and Sean Marko (Phoenix/Tokyo).
GBC insiders are whispering. Is Luna next? Or could any shady dealings ruffle the feathers of Johannesburg ownership and cause second-half turmoil?
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Next Week: All-Star announcements, midseason minor league team recaps, and more fire (hopefully not of the bullpen variety).
—JvW
