Valencia Star Report: 69-67 (.507) # 5

[leejay56]

The Stars who were in a free fall downwards finally made a little comback here in August and now trail Vancouver Mounties by one game and are tied with California...After a 10 game lead was wiped away by the end of July after the Stars went 8-18 the Stars have only 4 more weeks to make a come back and try to win the Pacific divsion this year...

Over the next few weeks the Stars face Greenville Moonshiners [ 62-74 ], a tough Baltimore Monarchs [ 80-56] and Madison Wolves [ 92-44 ] team, then off to face Chicago Black Sox [54-82]...So they play two first place teams which is going to be tough and a real challenge for Valencia....

Over the last month the Stars have made a few moves to help them especially on the offensive side....When outfielder Gary Barr went down with a injury, 25 year old Jonathan Armas got his chance... Armas has come on strong especially in August when he hit .365 smashed 6 homers and drove in 17 runs...Armas just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for August with his great month...Overall his batting average has gone up to .323 9 homers 29 rbi's....Armas 9 homers puts him on the top 5 and has only 167 at bats...He would be on the pace to hit 30 plus homers....The Stars needed some xtra punch in the line up...

Still the Stars wanted some more power in there lineup and signed free agent Michael Malkowski..Malkowski now 38 played for Omaha and Valencia for many years with the same owner...The Stars saw that last year Malkowski hit 21 homers and there could be no player that hits that many this season for the Stars....Malkowski in his first 9 games with the Stars hit .281 hit 2 homers and drove in 9 runs....So the Stars are hoping he can pull out a good September and help them to a divsion title...

The last person signed was 27 year old Catcher James McCormick... McCormick a career minor leaguer always found a way to get on base in his years in the minors...He had a career .350 obp which was much better than they were getting....So far McCormick is hitting .260 and is handling the pitchers just fine....

[recte44]

Return of "The Carp"!

[scottsdale_joe]

good luck in the dog fight