Tuber Times 2058.28: Sim #12 Recap - ROC,ATC

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Tuber Times
24 June 2058
Boise, Idaho
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by Tony Toney

Boise Spuds 43 34 -2 DIV - WC L10: 6-4 Strk: W4

The Spuds posted a very welcome 5-1 in Sim #12. They pulled back up to within 2 of the division-leading Las Vegas Hustlers and sit in the last wildcard spot. Boise is navigating the first trip thru the Atlantic Division and has already faced the top 5 teams. The Spuds are leaning on their pitching staff and have been all season. They are 2nd in runs allowed while 8th in runs scored. A little bit more production from the lineup would be welcomed. This was evident in Sim #12 as pitching was superb in only allowing more than 4 runs once and that with one pitcher allowing 4 runs in one inning.

v Rockville 4-3 W
v Rockville 2-5 L
v Rockville 2-0 W
This 4-game series began with a 4-6 loss in the opener so Boise was hard pressed to salvage at least a split. First up, Spuds "1b" SP Jeremy Nickerson had what was technically a quality start but just a bit below his standards allowing 2 HR in 6.0 innings. But he spread 3 runs out which allowed the offense to keep track and the duo of newly-acquired RP Ash Davenport and Samir Qasim held the Pikemen scoreless to see out the win. Boise 3B Mahine 'Dragnet' Karetu was 3-for-4 with a RBI. If the Spuds could win the 3rd game a series victory would be on the table, but it wasn't to be. Another recent acquisition, Matt McCartney was outstanding going 7 innings allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. But Boise RP Ed Noble dropped the baton in the 8th as two walks and two doubles powered a 4-run Rockville 8th. The Pikemen's 1B Numan Abu al Khayr drove in 3 of the squads 5 runs and SP Aaron Bridges came close to matching Boise's McCartney in allowing just 1 run in 6.0 innings of work. Now, in the finale, Boise was playing for the split. The Spuds "1b" SP Doug Eckhoff tossed a stellar 6.0 shutout innings allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk. Newcomer Tom Bennett held the Pikemen scoreless in the middle innings and newly-promoted CL Mario Santos recorded his first ML save.

@ Atlantic City 7-4 W
@ Atlantic City 6-2 W
@ Atlantic City 4-2 W
Next up was a trip to the right coast to face the Gamblers. After splitting the previous series with Rockville, Boise was looking to at least take 3-of-4 on the road. SP Marvin 'Groucho' Winston didn't get the Spuds off to a good start allowing 4 runs in 6.1 innings, but the offense picked him up with the squad jumping all over Gamblers SP Sandy Anderton for 6 runs in the 2nd inning. LF Roosevelt Davis and RF Héctor Holloway contributed 2 RBI apiece with 2 HRs between them. The 2nd contest got off to a bad start as Boise SP Mario Reyes allowed 2 runs in the 1st inning. But he recovered and held Atlantic City scoreless from that point. RP Anthony Annear went 2.2 innings allowing no hits or runs to record the save. LF Davis had another productive game going 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI. The 3rd affair looked to be a pitchers' duel thru 5 innings as Boise's Nickerson allowed only 1 run and Gamblers SP Eddie Armstrong shut down the Spuds. But Boise got to Armstrong in the 6th scoring 3 runs on 5 singles. The Spuds DH Alfonso Rúbio contributed his 16th dinger of the season and CF Lou Bayou posting his 32nd stolen base. The young closer Santos finished off the Gamblers in the 9th on 8 pitches to earn his 3rd save of the Sim and the season.