Phantoms Phanatics Week in Review: Aug. 25-31
What fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both wind and tide.
Henry VI, Part 3, King Edward IV to Warwick
How perfect.
The week after Huntsville’s front office has a collective brain hemorrhage and decides, “Hell yes, we can make the playoffs. Let’s trade some prospects, shore up that bullpen and go for it,” the Phantoms go 0-6.
That’s zero wins, six losses. The hitting stunk. The starters stunk. That shored up bullpen? Stunk.
Shakespeare was born too early to be a BBA fan, but he still had the situation nailed: it’s useless to think Huntsville can resist the winds and tides sweeping it towards ignominy.
And if the Bard isn’t your style, we’ll turn to the world of science for the best advice we can offer to the "brain trust" running the Phantoms:
It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
Carl Sagan
Batter of the Week
Rocky Wattson, 2B: 22 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI (.409 AVG, .958 OPS)
Pitcher of the Week
Oh please. Have you been paying attention?
News and Notes
OF Raúl Gasco returns from a week on the IL nursing an abdominal strain ... Given Gasco’s return, and Huntsville’s total collapse last week, CF Jim Lorenzen was returned to AAA Carolina for its final week of regular season games, which will decide who wins the GL East Coast Division (more on that later) … So, how’d they do, those terrific relievers that Huntsville spent so much to acquire? Pavel Bure: 2 G, 3 IP, 3 HA, 3R, 1 HR allowed, 9.00 ERA; Luis Gonzáles: 4 G, 6 IP, 5 HA, 5 ER, 3 HR allowed, 7.50 ERA. Awesome.
JL Southeast Division Standings
As of the morning of Sept. 1, 2039
Team | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | RD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Orleans | 79 | 58 | .577 | - | +110 |
Jacksonville | 71 | 66 | .518 | 8.0 | +34 |
Nashville | 66 | 67 | .496 | 11.0 | -12 |
Huntsville | 65 | 71 | .478 | 13.5 | -74 |
Louisville | 63 | 72 | .467 | 15.0 | -20 |
As of the morning of Sept. 1, 2039
Down on the Farm
AAA Carolina went 3-3 on the week to slip 0.5 games behind Gotham in the race for the GL East Coast Division title. The Flight’s record now is 74-56 … Oft-injured but not untalented SP Vito Reyes has pitched well in the stretch run: 2 G, 1-1, 0.69 ERA in 13.0 innings pitched. That included 6 innings of 3-hit, shutout ball on Aug. 29 that contributed to a 7-3 win over the Milwaukee Choppers … The baseball scheduling gods have smiled upon Rupert Horn Memorial League fans: Carolina and Gotham will finish the season with a 3-game tilt at New York that could well decide the title … AA Beloit clinched a winning season for itself by going 4-2 last week, to run its record to 66-64. With one game remaining on the schedule, the Blue Sox are in third place in the DNL Mid-Central Division, 12 games behind Duluth and eliminated from wild card contention … 2B Tomás Durán is closing out his season in productive style. Over his last 7 games, he’s gone 7 for 20, a .350 BA with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs … Single-A Grand Junction went 4-2 last week, bringing its record to 58-72. The Gold Sox are in third place in the PL West Central Division, 8.5 games behind Pahrump … RP Raúl Jaramillo is closing out his season with a hot stretch. Over his last 10 games, he’s thrown 18.2 innings with a 0.48 ERA, 4 saves, and 21 Ks … Short Season A-affiliate San Pedro de Macoris went 1-2 last week in an abbreviated schedule, bringing its season record to 27-33. The Green Sox are in fourth place, 9.5 games behind SL2 Big Islands Division leader Santo Domingo … SP Jaime De Jesús has been pitching well of late. In his last 2 starts, he’s thrown 14.0 innings with a 1.93 ERA and 5 Ks … Rookie League Team Monclova went 5-2 last week to bring its record to 30-32 on the season. The Aqua Sox are in fifth place in the HL Mexican-American Division, 10 games behind first place Ogden … LF Hao Hang has been swinging a hot bat. In his last 7 games, he’s 8-23, good for a .333 BA with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs. Hang’s 16 homers this year put him just one off the league pace. His 42 RBIs, likewise, are just 1 off the league lead.