WHIV 2050.4- DOWN GOES ASHFORD!!!

[recte44]

PHOENIX TALONS @ LAS VEGAS HUSTLERS
08/24/2050

BOTTOM OF THE 5TH
Las Vegas Hustlers batting - Pitching for Phoenix Talons : RHP Aki Kondo
Batting: RHB Abu Wamukota 0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: SINGLE (Groundball, 4M, EV 102.5 MPH)
Batting: LHB Jim Ashford 0-0: Ball
1-0: Ball
2-0: Hit by Pitch
Abu Wamukota to second
Pitching: RHP Rusty Turner
Pinch Runner at 1st Ramón Gabriel

Jim Ashford's season came to an end with no one out and Abu Wamukota at first base in the fifth inning against Phoenix's Aki Kondo August 24th in Las Vegas.

The pitch came inside and hit Ashford in the elbow, and it was clear immediately that Ashford's injury was not one he could shrug off. The crowd, sensing their chances for a fourth straight title were shrinking more and more as every second ticked away with Las Vegas training staff attending to Ashford, who writhed in pain. Kondo, whose smirk after hitting Ashford in the elbow enraged Hustlers fans, was pulled from the game and Turner began to warm up as Ashford was pulled from the game, with Gabriel taking his spot at first base.

The result of the game (the Hustlers won 5-3) was irrelevant. Hustlers nation anxiously awaited word on Ashford's status for the rest of the season. It came about an hour after the game. Ashford broke a bone in his elbow, and would be out for the season.

"It's disappointing," said a glum Ashford when reached for comment the next day. "I was having my best season and now this. Injuries are part of the game, but that pitch was a bit suspect. Was Kondo throwing at me? No one but him can say for sure, and his mouth was shut behind that smirk."

No team could simply "replace" a player like Jim Ashford. The Hustlers do have options, though. The injury means that young Scotty Beemeup will get the bulk of the playing time in left field, and will be counted on to provide some power. The veteran Gabriel is likely to play mainly against left-handed pitching, and the Hustlers hope they can get by without their best middle of the order hitter.

Early returns, however, have not been great. Las Vegas is just 6-6 in the twelve games since Ashford was lost. "We gotta step up," said Beemeup. "We gotta get after it."

Ashford mentioned one more thing. "Looks like we play Phoenix September 23-25th. That should be interesting," Ashford said with his own smirk.