LOCKING & LOADING
Several teams made trades over the All-Star weekend, drawing a line in the sand of those who are rebuilding and those who are all in...
Omaha has decided to the the pedal to the floor, trading for C Hank Brewer and SS JJ McQuade . Omaha still has salary cap room for 2037... but with multiple major arbitration worth several million, 2038 projected salary with the current roster is almost $130 Million. Omaha has several decisions to make regards to possible extensions and who may be a Hawk for next year, but in the meantime, the team is ready to rock and roll towards a playoff run. The Hawks have closed the gap to only 1 game behind slumping Twin Cities for the Heartland Division lead.
VANCOUVER YOUNG PITCHERS DEALING
Vancouver is riding a recent surge that's seen them win 8 out of the last ten. Powering the streak are pitchers, Juan Guerro and Joey Zamora, who have combined for 4 team wins in 4 games, with only 2 earned runs (1 ea) in 31 total innings. The Mounties have climbed from 10 games out of the last Wild Card Spot to 5 games behind.
AVIATORS EYEING PLAYOFFS IN JUST 3RD SEASON IN THE BBA
Fan excitement is at an all time high in Wichita as the Aviators are currently holding on the 2nd Wild Spot in the Johnson League at just past the halfway through the season. Unlike the other two divisions in the Johnson which appear to be boats races for the Division Leaders, the Sun Belt is much tighter between 1st (Phoenix) and the 3rd Place Aviators at 8 games back. There's plenty of the time left for the underachieving Mexico City Aztecs to turn it around and make a play for a Wild Spot as well.
Young Pitcher Kidanu Cherono is having his best season after playing for this third team in three years. With the Manager keeping his starters on strict pitch counts, the part time starter is leading the team in innings pitched and in wins with nine.
Outside of DH Ed Curry, Wichita lacks a true power threat and relies on patience at the plate (OBP 3rd JL) to wear opposing pitchers out and to produce runs. The team will definitely welcome back old man Brian Clough from the DL in a couple of weeks. The 43 year old is having another fine year (.436 OPB) in his 22nd season... of which he's played 21 under the Genius GM Stu Hopkins. Out of sheer will, mostly no power numbers or a notable base running game, Clough has somehow racked up a 72.9 career WAR. Not bad for Just a Guy who shows up and puts in the work everyday.
PERFECT GAME RUINS 4 HIT COMPLETE GAME
Edwin Gilliam
Calgary Rookie, Ed Glliam, entered BBA history in only his 10th BBA start by throwing a perfect game against the Hawaii Tropics, in Hawaii for a crowd of almost 19,000 fans.
It was only the 7th Perfect Game in BBA history, and the first since Enrique Gomez did it on May 9, 2024 while playing for the the Omaha Barnstormers.
Giliam needed a total of 111 pitches to finish the game and had 8 strikeouts.
Amazingly, Ed spoiled a fantastic game by Hawaii's Juan Trujillo, who also gave up no earned runs. (9 Innings - 4 Hits - 1 Unearned Run)
Tragically, the only run to scored in the game, was Calgary's Dan Leonard in the top of the first inning. After leading off the game, Leonard reached on an error by none other the pitcher, Juan Trujillo himself. Leonard later scored the unearned run on a single by Susumu Kakanishu. Little did anyone know that would be deciding run in an excellent dual between to the two young pitchers.
