WHIV 2052.3- Hustlers Survive (Even Thrive?) Absence of Ata and Rudge

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WHIV 2052.3- Hustlers Survive (Even Thrive?) Absence of Ata and Rudge

Post by recte44 » Tue Oct 18, 2022 6:03 pm

Hustlers Survive (Even Thrive?) Absence of Ata and Rudge
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Kidane Ata
07/05/2052 Injured (fractured foot),out for 4 weeks.

Tom Rudge
07/17/2052 Injured (sprained ankle),out for 3 weeks.
Even casual BBA fans know the value of Ata and Rudge to the Las Vegas Hustlers. Manager Edward Allen stated it this way: "Without Kidane and Tom, we aren't THE Las Vegas Hustlers. We're just the Las Vegas Hustlers."

Allen and the Hustlers had to make it through most of July without either of the star outfielders. "Honestly, we can withstand the loss of one of these guys for a two, three week stretch but to lose both of them becomes a challenge that we weren't sure how we'd get through," said Allen.

When Ata was lost, the Hustlers moved Rudge to center field, moved Scotty Beemeup to right field, and inserted rookie left fielder Jin-soo Chong into the lineup. Chong had made the club out of Spring Training, but after struggling initially without regular playing time was sent back to Milwaukee (AAA) before returning the last week of May. With full time play, the results for Chong were stunning: .358/.424/.617/1.041 with 4 homers, 14 RBI, 18 runs. He's now seized the leadoff spot, in 94 at-bats at the #1 spot his slash line is: .340/.417/.596/1.012.

When Rudge got hurt the Hustlers shocking lack of center field depth was front and center. Two rookies, Jorge Pereira and Joo-il Paek, were called up and forced into action. Neither one of them did much offensively or defensively, but they didn't kill the club as Las Vegas finished the month of July with a 16-10 record, and have now started August with a 4-1 record. Ata came back on August 2nd, and Rudge should be back this week as well.

"Now I just need to worry about how I'm going to keep Chong in the lineup," said a visibly cheery Allen.

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