August 3, 2043
With their once former and now current GM Matt Rectenwald back in charge of the Las Vegas Hustlers, a strange thing happened over the last week of action. They won. A lot.
Let's temper the enthusiasm. They played Phoenix and Wichita, yes. But they also beat Charm City in two one run victories, a theme for the Hustlers this sim. Besides a turnover of some of the roster, the most notable immediate change was to let the starting pitchers pitch deeper into games. And they did. In fact, the only game a Hustler starter didn't go at least five quality innings was the only game they lost this sim.
at LV 4, Phoenix 3
Gerald Abbott 7 IP GS: 62
Tom Rudge- pinch hit, walk-off double in bottom of ninth
Shawn Huber (W, 7-4) two innings of 1 hit, 3 K ball.
at Las Vegas 3, Wichita 2
Antonio Gonzalez 6 IP GS: 53 (first start since June)
Jimmy Greenwood (H,7) and Huber (SV, 17) with three perfect innings of relief
Wichita 6, at Las Vegas 3
Kellen Scherer 4.1 IP GS: 40
*only loss of the sim*
Dean Rackham not great in long relief, either
at Las Vegas 4, Wichita 1
Johnny Hale 6 IP GS: 59
Hale outstanding. only 3 hits, 2 BB, 8 K's.
Greenwood (H,8) and Huber (SV, 18) with three innings of one hit ball in relief (sense a pattern?)
Francisco Otero hits in three straight games. Breaking out of slump?
Las Vegas 3, at Charm City 2
Abbott 5.1 IP GS: 56
Comeback win. Manoell Whanon with a 2 run homer in top of ninth to give Vegas the lead.
Overcame strong performance by CCJ F. Rafael (7.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K).
Huber (W, 8-4) with two innings of scoreless relief.
Las Vegas 2, at Charm City 1
Gonzalez 6.1 IP GS: 51
More late inning heroics. Matt Normore RBI double in top of ninth gives Hustlers the 2-1 lead. Normore was 4-5 with 2 doubles in the game.
Greenwood (0.2 IP, 2 hits) was charged with the BS (2).
Huber (W, 9-4) continues to be leaned on with two clean innings .
Four of six games were 1-run affairs and Hustlers won all four. A great sign. And kudos to Huber who was involved in the outcome of all four of these games, with three wins and a save. Overall he pitched in five games, 10 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K, 3 wins and 2 saves. WOW. He is having arguably the best season of his career. 1.53 ERA would be his personal best, as would his 0.72 WHIP. With 9 wins, has a great opportunity to set a personal best there as well.