June 2, 2064 — Charm City Finds Groove
By Calvin “Cal” Booker | The Baltimore Sun
Two months into the 2064 campaign, Charm City’s season has been no short of storylines. April opened with Hector Silva’s historic no-hitter, steady offense, and a 4-1 start. Then came the grind: extra-inning marathons, bullpen headaches, and fits of inconsistency. May brought some answers with Dave Ackerman’s MVP-level thunder, Allen Davidson’s steadiness, and a bullpen reshuffled under Miguel Reyes. Still, the Jimmies couldn’t shake the win-one, lose-one rhythm.
That is, until this past homestand. Charm City reeled off nine straight victories—six of them at OLD BAY Park—before finally falling on June 1. The streak was as dominant as it was refreshing: over that stretch, the Jimmies outscored opponents 5.4 to 1.9 per game, powered by timely hitting and continued strong pitching. It was a reminder of what this club can be when all gears turn in sync.
May 26 – Silva Shines in Complete Game
Charm City 8 – Mexico City 1
The Jimmies didn’t waste time, hanging five runs in the first inning off Mexico City starter Luis Nieves. Arturo Perez launched a three-run homer, Emilio Reyes added a two-run shot, and the Aztecs were buried before they could blink. From there, Hector Silva did the rest. The veteran lefty struck out 12 without walking a batter, scattering four singles in a complete-game performance that silenced any doubts about his early-season form.
“Silva gave us everything he had,” said manager Craig Bass. “That’s the ace we know.”
May 27 – Romero Steps In, Steps Up
Charm City 3 – Mexico City 2
With Ackerman getting a breather at second base, Mario Romero seized his chance in a spot start. Romero went a perfect 3-for-3, including a sharp RBI single in the seventh that broke a 1-1 tie. Jorge Nava was sharp, giving up just one run over seven innings, and the bullpen held on despite a shaky eighth.
“We’ll put this win in our pocket and go after the next one,” Romero said. For a utility man, it was a moment in the spotlight.
May 29 – Mellon Holds, Ackerman Adds Insurance
Charm City 7 – Mexico City 4
Mexico City briefly took the lead in the fourth, but Charm City answered with a three-run fifth keyed by Ramon Rodriguez’s RBI single and a sac fly from Lucio Guevara. John Mellon gave up four runs in 6.1 innings but managed to limit the damage with eight strikeouts. In the eighth, Ackerman blasted his 17th homer of the season, a no-doubter to left that padded the lead and put the game out of reach.
May 30 – Reyes Delivers in the Eighth
Charm City 4 – Boise 3
The Spuds thought they had stolen one. After taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth, Boise carried momentum into the stretch run. But center fielder Emilio Reyes flipped the script in the bottom half, lining a two-run single into right-center to swing the game back to Charm City. Steady reliever Seung-jin Cho earned the win with a scoreless frame, and Reyes notched his 11th save, his third in three games.
“A great team win and something real positive we can build on,” said Reyes, who continues to cement himself as a clutch bat in the lineup.
May 31 – Silva, Again
Charm City 3 – Boise 1
On the heels of his complete game, Silva looked untouchable again, firing eight innings of four-hit ball with seven strikeouts. Ramon Rodriguez and Guevara sparked the offense with three hits apiece, while Matt Bamber plated the go-ahead run on a sharp single through the right side. The only scare came late, when Ackerman left in the eighth after feeling a twinge in his throwing arm on a routine play.
June 1 – Streak Snapped by Boise
Boise 7 – Charm City 2
The winning streak ended at nine. Spuds right-hander Mahad Einan silenced Charm City over seven innings, while Tsutomu Yamauchi delivered the knockout blow with a two-run homer in the sixth. Boise tacked on late runs against the bullpen to make it comfortable. Mu'tasim Esam hit his third homer for the Jimmies, and Ackerman, returning from the previous night's injury and starting at designated hitter, reached base twice, but the offense never really clicked.
Prior to the game, Silva was named Johnson League Pitcher of the Month for May (5-1, 2.68 ERA, 44 strikeouts in 43.2 IP). That, at least, kept the home crowd buzzing even in defeat.
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Ask Cal
Brian T., Baltimore, MD: “Cal, are you concerned about Ackerman’s durability? He’s playing like an MVP, but that arm scare had me spooked.”
It’s a fair concern. Ackerman’s style—power at the plate and relentless aggression on the basepaths—puts a lot of stress on his body. The Jimmies are already spotting him DH days, and if they’re smart, they’ll continue managing his workload. For now, no long-term red flags, but keep an eye on it.
Lisa R., Richmond, VA: “What’s gotten into Silva? Early struggles had me worried, but now he looks dominant.”
Silva admitted a few weeks back he wasn’t 100 percent, but his last three outings look vintage. Command is sharper, the strikeouts are back, and he’s feeding off the home crowd. May’s Pitcher of the Month nod was deserved and a reminder that even aces have to battle through stretches.
Derek S., Albany, NY: “Is Lederer going to make a splash before the deadline, or is this roster set?”
Extensions and depth moves are more likely than a blockbuster. Rumors about Allen Davidson’s future were snuffed out with a three-year, $21M extension, and for now, Lederer’s focus seems to be letting this core prove itself. If the Jimmies are still chasing Montreal or Cobble Hill come July, that calculus may change.
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Final Word
The Jimmies’ nine-game run was their best stretch of baseball this season: clutch bats, dominant pitching, and a bullpen that finally feels in order. Even after the streak ended, Charm City looks like a team capable of holding its own in the Atlantic chase.
Stay tuned for a full recap of the 2064 draft class and keep an eye out as All-Star voting opens.
Up next: the homestand wraps with Boise, then four games against Austin before hitting the road for Rosenblatt.
