Down the Home Stretch

The Bombers find themselves in rarefied air at this juncture in the season.   South Carolina is no longer chasing the rest of the TML for a playoff position because they find themselves holding the top Wild Card spot!

Yeah, well, it is JUST a 1 game lead, but as GM Altman said, "better to be a game up than a game down".

But just because the team is playing well at this point, Altman decided to do a little tinkering with the roster to gear up for the post season.

A couple of injuries occurred right at the roster deadline, and being that the races for the post season are so tight, Altman was forced to put Cecil Gibbons (SP) and Roy O'Quinn (OF) on the DL.  Needing a SP to replace Gibbons, Dave Nicholson was put back on the 40 man roster and promoted and will get a start vs. SF.  He's pitched well of late, going 8+ innings in his last 4 starts and we're hoping that kind of production continues.  Nicholson being added back on the 40 man roster gives the big club another chance to see him before deciding what to do with him in the off season.  His contract expires at the end of the season.

The next move was to purchase the contract of 24 year old OF'er Dave Lewis.  He had an awesome debut against division leader New Jersey going 4 for 11, with a HR and double.  He has a .417 OB and a .727 Slug.  At AAA this season he hit 29 HR's, 116 RBI's and a .311 AVG and .932 OPS.  At 4* / 4/5* he's nearly full developed and we're thinking that his energetic enthusiasm carries the club to the playoffs - preferably as the Billy Martin Division winner.

The last move made was a shocker for the bear writers covering the team.  1B Fernando Guzman was optioned to AAA on 8/29 and rookie Adrian Ortiz was called up and immediately inserted into the lineup.  Ortiz in 12 AB's has 1 HR, a 333 AVG and a modest .667 Slug.

Finally,Stephen Jackson finished off his REHAB assignment at AAA Bronx and to make room for him, the Bombers designated for assignment team veteran Orlando Bustamante.  Anonymous sources within the Bomber organization have said this was a numbers game and plan on bring Bustamante back to the team when he clears waivers, and be added back to the 40 man roster.

Tonight's games sees the conclusion of the SC - NJ series, then SF for 3 and GEO for 3.
With Jacksonville, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Eureka all within striking distance, we're going to need to get hot and hope these kids can play up to snuff.