Well, it's been a while since I've had a chance to file a report on the Bombers plight this season.

The last happenings I reported on was after a 1-2 vs Las Vegas, and then a 2-1 series win against Jacksonville.  And then things went down hill in a hurry!

We saw a 0-3 vs Maple, 1-2 vs SF, 2-1 vs Nottingham, 0-3 vs NY, 0-3 vs Dallas, 1-2 vs Ann Arbor and 1-2 vs NJ.  All told South Carolina went a disgusting 5-16, and ownership is peeved.

Here's some news and notes to ponder:
GM Gary Altman has taken a Charlestown Chief's and Reggie Dunlap approach and put a bounty on Eric Swann for the upcoming 2 game set.  This is in retaliation of the brawl that took place on May 27th when Roberto Martinez threw at Orlando Bustamante in the 1st inning.  This happened to be the 2nd brawl the Bombers were involved in in 4 days.  The other being with New Jersey.  Comments after the Maple brawl by GM Altman from the Bomber clubhouse at Maple, "We're not going to be anybody's punching bag.  Just becase we're in last place doesn't mean this club doesn't have heart and we will protect ourselves and each other."

Maple travels to South Carolina on June 18th (the next sim).  Reportedly, but uncofirmed, the league has issued warnings to both Maple and South Carolina.

Ed Bell's season and possibly career is over.  Ed Bell, after contract negotiations for an extension came to an impasse was being shopped around.  In a showcase event in Dallas, Bell partially tore his UCL and now needs Tommy John surgery.  He's expected back in 9 months which will put it at the end of next years spring training, when he's 39.  Bell was quoted as being disappointed and will not go out this way.  South Carolina is still interested in bringing him back, as he was one of a few bright spots on an otherwise dismal pitching staff.

Speaking of the pitching staff, GM Altman now has some pretty big shoes to fill with Bell's absence.  The Bombers rank mostly 11th or 12th in almost every pitching category in the TML and this is unacceptable.  One pitching coach has been fired and other changes could be in the works as well.  Tom Tart, owner of a 9.00 ERA in ABL has been recalled.  Also Victor Enriquez (1-4, 9.35 ERA).  Carlton Benson who was stellar in the bullpen was moved into the rotation to try and shore that up.  That experiment failed miserably so, back to the bullpen he goes.
South Carolina revamped their bullpen as well claiming Bob Robinson, Marvin White off the waiver wire, which is an INSTANT improvement over what was in place on the back end of the pen.  Robinson has been assigned the closers spot and 22 year old rookie, Mark Thompson (1-0, 5 Saves, 3.12 ERA) has been moved to the primary setup position.  Manager Tom Ritchie says that this isn't a demotion in as much as Robinson comes to the Bombers with 4 saves and a 1.86 ERA.

The hitting for the Bombers isn't that bad, and improvement is being made.  The Bombers are 4th in HR's hitting category which shows that they can score runs.  However they're lacking in AVG and OB, which based on those HR's could increase run production.  Steady improvement is being made, but it's slow coming.

To assist with getting better offense, the Bombers called up Mike Murtagh from AAA.  Murtagh was hitting .397, 4 HR and 9 RBI in 58 AB's, showcasing an OB of .485.

The second callup is Mark Buchanan.  This 22 year old rookie will be making his ABL Debut at home, against Maple.  Buchanan started in AA and finished up there with a .300 avg, 1 HR, 8 RBI in 60 AB's compiling a .416 OB to earn his first promotion.  Tom Ritchie has him batting 4th and in RF. No pressure for this kid!

Then in 32 games at AAA to show it was no such fluke, he hit .277, 8 HR's, 19 RBI's and a .347 OB in 112 AB's to punch his ticket to South Carolina.

The third impact hitter brought to the Bomber lineup, who was drafted in the 114th round, 2721 Overall, 28 year old 1B Mark Larson.  Larson started the season in AAA and in 91 AB hit 6 HR's and hit .264 with a .343 OB. 
In the 17 games that Larson has played in ABL he's hit .270, with a .313 OB, and 2 HR's in 63 AB's.  While the production from Larson isn't all star quality, it is very serviceable, and we're pleased to have him on the squad.

Next blog update for the Bombers will be next week as I'll be traveling.

Hopefully I'll go 21-0 or something and get back to 500  :-D

Gary