Atlantic Times Y2K.1 - Cramer Makes Debut

[braveheart]

Despite valiant efforts, the key offseason signing for the Atlantic City Gamblers was injured starter Jim Cramer. Cramer, formerly of the Buffalo Bisons tore his rotator cuff in May of 1999. He would become a free agent this past offseason and inked a 3 year deal with the Gamblers. Basically, the Gamblers were taking a gamble that Cramer would be able to bounce back from the injury.

Pitching mainly in the MBBA Altantic (started career in Birmingham, went to Montreal, then Buffalo), the 32 year old had entered the year with a career record of 105-96. Not great, but we will take it.

His first start did not resemble a man with a 4.19 career ERA. Cramer lasted all of 2 innings, yielding 5 runs on 6 hits with 2 Ks. Not the start the Gamblers were hoping for, but Atlantic City did pull out the 8-6 win. His second start on May 26th. Much better. 8 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs, only one earned run, and his first victory in over a year. Whats even more impressive is that Cramer shut down a powerful Seattle offense and might fill a void the Gamblers have so desperatly needed - a second starter to pitch after Jim Brochtrup.

Now only 1 game out of the MBBA Atlantic lead, the Gamblers hope the 1-2 punch of Brochtrup-Cramer will return them to the postseason.