Red Light District 2025.9 - Subpar Month But Still in First

[Lane]

September Review

A 13-14 record in September may not have been exactly what the Amsterdam fans wanted to see, but at this point in the season, the standings matter most. The Neptunes currently hold a 4 game lead over the Eagles of Brussels and look like a near lock for the postseason with only 4 games remaining to be played. It has been a tight race with Brussels for most of the season, and the Eagles have done it with the bats, leading the conference in Runs Scored and nearly every other offensive category. Meanwhile, Amsterdam is leading in nearly every defensive category and has allowed the fewest earned runs in the conference.

September Highlights

Not much competition for this one. To set the scene: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 24 September, 2025, 7:05 EST with 23.449 fans in attendance. The Neptunes took the field with confidence behind starter Bob Latrobe, making his 407th major league start (MBBA + EBA) trusting that they would receive another superb start from the 36 year old. It is doubtful though, that they anticipated what unfolded over the next 9 innings of baseball. In what may have been his best start of the year, Latrobe retired the first 10 Brauers that he faced until a 3-2 walk to RFDean Zuydam. After retiring the side in order in the 5th, Latrobe surrendered another walk in the top of the 6th. To this point in the game, Munchen had hit only lazy fly balls and easy ground balls. Latrobe must have felt confident pitching in front of the team that leads the EBA in defensive efficiency. It was only in the 8th inning that the Brauers were any sort of threat, with back to back lineouts to center and right. With Latrobe no doubt tiring, he nonetheless insisted that manager Stephen Lane leave him in the game. This was not a difficult decision for Lane, to allow the 14 year veteran who's accolades include 2 Frick League All-Star selections and 3 EBA All-Star selections the chance to pitch his first no-hitter.

It's a good thing that no one in the Amsterdam dugout has a heart condition, as Latrobe showed his fatigue as the second pitch of the inning got away from him and hit 2B Bill Morris on the left hip. Up next was 3B David Gonzalez who, despite a reputation for not giving 100%, put up a good fight here in an attempt to break up the no-hitter. After working the count to 2-1, Gonzalez fouled off 3 consecutive pitches before hitting a ground ball to the dreaded 5.5 hole. Luckily, manning the hot corner for Amsterdam was 23 year old Manny Silva, owner of a 9 defensive rating and a 10 grade arm. Silva quickly moved to the ball, scooped it up and made a quick toss to 2B Freddy Henry who was in as a defensive sub due to his 10 rating at they keystone. Henry received the throw and made a smooth turn and toss to 1B Tony Ortiz to complete the double play. Now just 1 out away from the no-hitter, Latrobe faced switch hitting RF Wilfred Sullivan. Despite his .212 AVG and .264 OBP, Sullivan was hitting in the leadoff spot for Munchen. He took the first pitch for a ball before hitting an easy ground ball to third, where Manny Silva was waiting. Silva picked it up, and threw across the diamond to Ortiz, giving Bob Latrobe the no-hitter. His final line, 9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K with 88 strikes on 128 pitches, and a 94 game score.

Batter of the Month

DH Edgardo Jaso 110 AB, 10 HR, 10 2B, 30 RBI, .345 AVG, .682 SLG

Pitcher of the Month
SP Bob Latrobe 4 GS, 2 W, 28 IP, 3.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 22 K, 4 BB. And a NO HITTER

October Preview

Amsterdam looks to lock up the division by winning at least one of the final 4 games of the season. Their first chance will be in Rome as they look to take the rubber game of the 3 game set against the Raiders. If they are unable to win that game, they have 3 chances in London to win 1 from the Bishops. Stay tuned for what is sure to be an exciting finish and hopefully a successful playoff run from your Amsterdam Neptunes!