2045.04 - Shark Bites - September 7

[Lane]

ROUGH STRETCH CONTINUES

After closing August with a 4-7 stretch, including an embarrassing three game sweep at the hands of the San Fernando Bears, the Surfers have started September with a 1-5 record. A 17th inning home run by Al Garrett against the Yellow Springs Nine was the only thing that kept them from being 0-fer the first week of September.

The rest of the schedule is completely within the Frick League Pacific:

2 @ SAC
3 vs SFB
3 @ POR
2 @ VAN
4 vs HAW
4 @ SEA
3 @ VAL

As you can see, it's a mixed bag here. Seven home games, 14 away. On the season, the Surfers have fared well against Portland and Valencia, but have had trouble with the rest of their division foes. The big series is clearly the four game set with Hawaii though.

At the moment, the Tropics hold a 3.5 game lead in the FLP. They will play essentially the same schedule at LBC over the final weeks of the season. It's very likely that the head to head series will be the deciding factor in the division race. Hawaii leads the season series, 7 games to 3.

Costello Luis Costello has just 2 hits in 34 AB since returning from the Injured List. The Surfers will need his bat to wake up, as they are slated to face left handed starters in their next four consecutive games. Fellow lefty-killer Mark Simpson has also cooled off since the beginning of September. The Surfers need these two to hit, as the team's performance against LH starters is going to be key this week.