The Push for .500 Continues (Hoppy Endings, 2053 Sim 16) [PP:2053.09]

[neugey]

Edmonton Owner Jim Leonard has been in a sour mood lately. His summer vacation plans to take a Caribbean cruise were interrupted by tropical storms. He's hoping to eventually take his long-awaited vacation sometime in August, and some of the Jackrabbits can't wait to be rid of him.

"He's been hovering a lot lately," said an anonymous member of the Jackrabbits staff. "Nagging us a lot and putting pressure on his to get to .500. We indeed have that as our goal, and we've been playing a little better to get closer. But it'd be a little easier if he'd just finally buzz off and leave us to it."

Mike Bauer has been very slow to make moves this year and has been trusting his major league team, which has been mostly healthy. "We've had good health this year," stated Bauer. "The bullpen and our defense seem to be our strengths. The offense just needs to generate more extra-base hits to help us improve. The ability is there."

The team has finally lost patience with demoted closer Joel Ottoboni, who has hit the wall this year with a 6.34 ERA and 1.96 WHIP. He's currently designated for assignment, and according to a source will be soon cut if he refuses a demotion to the minors. Taking his place is 23-year old Barney Smith, who the team hopes has shown enough refinement at AA to make the jump to the majors in his second attempt.

In another move, Edmonton is elevating former San Fernando starter Peter Roop from AAA to the major league rotation. Roop has been pitching well in 2053 and earned a AAA All-Star selection with a 3.04 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10 wins. He will take the place of lefty Claudio Garcia, who is being optioned to AAA because of dubious control (3.9 walks per 9 innings in 2053).

As of this writing the Jackrabbits sit at 44-52 and they'll need Roop and Smith to make solid contributions if they really hope to close in on .500.

[CTBrewCrew]

Roop did his part….he got you a PG