[mikev]

Crusaders Surge Back Into Race!

The last 10 days have been exciting for Crusader fans, as they saw their team go 9-1 and roar back into the MBBA Pacific division and Wild Card races.

California made up 6 games on first place Los Angeles to narrow the Quakes lead to 5 games, and climbed into a tie with Birmingham for second place in the Wild Card, 2 games behind Green Bay.

The sim finished with a victory in the second of two against LA (zomg sweep!1!), splitting a two gamer with Vancouver, and then ripping off consecutive sweeps of Long Beach and Manhattan.

Young Aussie starter Matt Albury, called up to replace injured starter Henry McHaney, tossed a couple of fantastic games in his first big league starts. The first, a 9-2 W at Vancouver, was a 6.2 inning 1 run effort, with 6 strikeouts and only 1 walk to go with 8 hits. Five days later he followed that up in an 8-2 W over Manhattan, pitching into the 9th and allowing 1 ER and 5 hits, walking 3 to go with 7 strikeouts.

"I'm just trying to go out there and make good pitches, throw strikes" said the 22 year old righty. "When I found out I was being brought up, I was excited to be able to get in and be a part of a pennant race. I talked a little bit with Lou (Nelson, Crusaders pitcher) and Griz (Hayagawa) and they just told me to trust Carlos and throw strikes. That's what I did and it worked out well, I just hope I can keep throwing the ball like I have been the last couple weeks."

Albury figures to be a big part of the last 6-7 weeks of the season, and if he can continue to perform at the level he's been at recently the kid's future looks bright.

The Next Crusade

8/22 - @ Chicago
8/23 - @ Chicago
8/24 - @ Chicago

8/26 - @ Las Vegas
8/27 - @ Las Vegas

8/29 - v. Valencia
8/30 - v. Valencia
8/31 - v. Valencia