Red Robins Bobbing 2024-4 (Opening Woes)

[Fat Nige]

Touted by most as most as favourites for the JL Atlantic Division things didn't start as anticipated for Brooklyn in 2024. Opening day was a disappointing 3-5 loss at Omaha who snapped a 0-0 tie with four in the seventh and it got worse as the Barnstormers went on to sweep the series with two more 2-run wins. Robins travelled on to Huntsville and took the series opener 11-1 but had to settle for a 2-2 series draw after Budding was tagged with his second loss of the season as Phantoms shut out Robins 4-0 allowing only four Brooklyn hits. Finally there was a crumb of joy as the team returned home to host Valencia and win their first series taking the first two of the three game set.

Orlando Medrano tied the Robins regular season record for hits after going 5-5 with a walk too in Brooklyn's 11-1 win at Huntsville. He scored three times that day and currently leads the team with eight runs scored just ahead of Jose Escarceja who has six runs to his name. All three of the Robins' outfielders hit two out of the park but disappointingly only tallied 10 RBI for the 10 games between them. Brian Whitten, Rob Childers and Albert Shoemaker also each hit two homers as Robins hit 14 in the opening ten games to tie Yellow Springs for the most in the JL. Robins also had their running shoes on as they attempted 15 stolen bases and were successful 10 times.

The biggest surprise was the poor form of Joey Budding, tagged with the loss in both his first two starts in 2024, his control was sadly lacking as he walked eight batters while only striking out five. Mark Totten picked up an early spot start at Huntsville and got tattooed for five runs in 5.2 innings as well as the loss. In his four relief outings he has only surrendered four hits and one run. Jose Garcia in his five relief appearances has limited opponents to hitting just .182 off him but two of his four hits surrendered vanished over the fences and contributed most of the three runs given up. Would be closer Jose Castro also watched two leave the stadium which helped rack up his 10.13 ERA in just three appearances and 2,2 innings pitched but he safely converted all three save opportunities.