The Philadelphia Flash only sent one representative to this year's midsummer classic, and by the time SP Donovan Leiter got to contribute, the game was all but won. Leiter would get a chance to record the final 2 outs of the 8th inning with the score already 15-7 in favor of the National League. Most of the damage by the senior circuit had been done in the 4th inning, when they exploded for 11 runs, highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Washington D.C.'s RF Johnny Costello that earned him MVP honors.The Flash organization was disappointed to only send one player to the All-Star game, but they will be the first to say no one else had the eye-popping numbers required to earn the honor. Bench coach Lawrence McIntyre said, "[CF Brady] Pickett's had a good year, but platoon players never get the nod. Maybe [SP Benny] Aybar, but the NL is dripping with talented pitchers."
The general consensus around the clubhouse is that the Flash sending only one player to the All-Star game while holding the National League's 4th best record is exactly the reason the Flash have managed such success. SS Richard Takada, an all-star a year ago, said, "We didn't send a lot of guys because no one guy is the reason we're winning. Everyone is making contributions. It's a very fun brand of baseball." Though RP Duke Monroe did not agree, "How Raffy didn't get in is beyond me.", referring to RP Rafael Perez who took Duke Monroe's closer job earlier this year. Perez is 23-years-old but has gone 11-for-16 in save opportunities with a 1.76 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP, and was at one time in the running to earn an all-star roster spot. He has yet to give up a home run this season.
More than anything, the all-star break is a chance to pause, ponder, and party. The Flash players all love the time off, and are excited to jump back into the heated division race with a 4-game set against the Buffalo Hot Wings awaiting them to kick off the 2nd half of the schedule.
No comments:
Post a Comment