| Feature News |
Rockets Out-Pitch Pork Chops
Quebec City draws a disappointing 5-5 tie with Rakeville
By Aviator McShadeless / Rakeville Times
Pedro Martinez said it best after Rakeville’s 5-5 draw versus Quebec City last week. “It is good to be arrogant when you can back it up. I like to be arrogant, and so does our pitchers. It is good to be the Piglets’ daddies.”
The comments were in response to Quebec City owner Pat Renaud’s comments at some sketchy bar after the EHCC Winter Meetings in January, when he claimed to have the best pitching staff in baseball.
“For months we stewed,” said Javier Vazquez, a longtime Rocket ace. “The Piglets have done a lot to build a decent rotation, but to suddenly claim that they were the best. It was absurd.”The highly touted rotation, featuring Jason Schmidt, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Jake Peavy, compared favorably on paper prior to the season and has performed well, but just didn’t have enough to knock Rakeville off their throne.
Rakeville posted an incredible 2.25 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, while the bullpen took care of saves handily. Quebec was able to take wins and strikeouts in the final days. Team manager Troy O’Leary was excited about the victory.
“These are good days I figure,” he said. “It is nice to stay in the dugout, and let my pitchers pitch. When they pitch good, my shoes stay clean. That is really the focus.
Team pitching coach, Justin Fuller, translated.
“Our pitchers have been anticipating this matchup for months. Word got around the clubhouse quickly, and people got upset. We have been the best for four years, and it is a title we hold in high regard.”
Ten Rockets pitchers are in the Top 50 this season and Rakeville’s pitching staff has won every matchup this season, except in the blowout against Bridgewater.
“Looks like we are pretty good on paper too,” said A.J. Burnett. “Fortunately, we are good on the field too.”
Aviator McShadeless is a reporter for the Rakeville Times. For the first time in 24 years, he turned down beer and baseball to take a nap. Friends and family fear the worst.
