Two of the biggest surprises this season for the River Monsters have been António García and Henry Wemp. Not that we didn't have confidence in them, but the level they have pitched at has been off the charts. The two pitchers are tied for Frick lead in K/9, one and three in FIP as well as being two and three in WAR. It's almost like they are having a friendly competition. One that should put both players in the conversation for Frick League Nebraska as we head into the final stretch of season.
Speaking of stretch, things got scary in the 5th inning of last weeks game with Des Moines. After striking out Miguel Salazar, Ricardo Magana grounded out weakly to Raúl Gallehos at first base. Wemp covered the bag and stretched for the ball with his left arm. He immediately flinched and grabbed his left shoulder. Manager Gerald Brandt and team trainer Ernesto Ramírez were quick to run onto the field. And even quicker to take the 24 year old righty out.
Wemp did not look happy at all. Upon entering the dugout he flipped over the Gatorade cooler and threw sunflower seeds onto the field before heading into clubhouse. Minutes later he came back into the dugout and got into a heated argument with Brandt. Luckily, our friend Jomboy was able to read his lips. Here is what he said.
After the game, cooler heads prevailed. Brandt said that it was a precautionary measure. Mentioning that they talked it over as an organization and Wemp will have his start pushed back a day next time through. He then gave us the tired old line about how it's a long season and that Twin Cities is preparing to play 25 games more than anyone else. Wemp on the other hand, provided a much juicier quote...
"I'm not going to let them coddle me and put me on the IL like they do everyone else that has a ticky tack injury. I want to win. I'm tired of pitch counts, skipping starts and phantom IL stints. I want to be on that mound and win."
The dog days hit everyone folks. Even if you are leading the BBA in wins, your clubhouse is ecstatic and you're raking in money hand over fist, tensions still get high with the ego's of professional athletes being cooped up in a small clubhouse with 26 other alpha males for six months.
