Off Topic
Club Falls to Stars
Close to History
He turned in a sparkling performance, striking out eight men and walking only two in seven innings. Unfortunately for him, the bats went silent and the bullpen gave up the ghost. The team lost 3-2.
“That’s how it goes,” he said after the game. “Sometimes you deserve a win and don’t get it, other times you stink the joint up and the rest of the guys save your behind. Today was a team loss. I gave up a run I couldn’t afford to give up. That’s on me.”
Brewington Spins Out of Control
Nine manager Sam Brewington, perhaps as an old catcher, is a bit of a throwback, and he went on a long tirade when asked in the post-game presser about whether, since the win is now considered just another senseless counting stat, there should be value placed on this kind of milestone.
“In a world where veteran Luis Gracia recently tallied his 250th victory, I don’t understand how the Win seems to get such an ugly rap,” he said, obviously frustrated. “Count me as one of the guys who still sees its mystique, though. I mean, of course there’s an offensive component involved, but a guy who can go out there and win twenty games is a big deal, and a guy who can threaten to do it year-in and year-out is a guy you’ve got to pay attention to. But it’s gotten to the point anymore that some guys almost get a demerit because they win too much—like they suck just because the play on a team that can hit a little bit. It’s a badge of courage to the guys, too. You can feel the team stand up and pay attention when Carlos goes out there. Everyone knows who they’re watching.”
“You think the guys play different behind Carlos than, say, behind Tomas (Ramirez) or Dave (Lee)?” the reported asked next.
“What kind of a shit question is that?” Brewington replied. “You know better than that. This game is about something more than numbers. This game is about human beings doing things that make life worth living. Or maybe you don’t know better. I don’t know. If you don’t, your mother and daddy should have raised you better.”
With that Brewington left the podium.
Next Start in Des Moines
Valle is scheduled to start again Sunday in Des Moines. After a solid start, the Kernels are slumping. “They’re always a dangerous team, though,” Valle said. “We’ll all need to be ready for them.”
