The Spokane Pirates did something today they haven't
been able to do all season. They extended a win streak to
three games. The Pirates have been on a steady course all
season long staying near to .500. They have not had a losing
streak of more than two games, nor a win streak of three. Until
today. The Pirates took two games from the cellar dwelling
Sacramento Knights. The three wins over Sacramento also
represent the first "sweep" of the season for the Pirates.
Which may be just what they needed to break out of the
holding pattern they have been in all season.
They will need all the help they can get, as tomorrow
they begin a home stand with offensive powerhouse
Larimar.
I was granted an exclusive interview with Jeremey
Stephens, here is what he had to say:
Reporter(R): We are all kind of mystified. In the beginning of
the season you stated that your team was a contender this
year. That you were playing for the present. Then you make
a deal that leaves a rather large offensive hole in your line-up,
in exchange you get an injured player who will not be able to
contribute until next year. What made you decide to give up
on this year?
Jeremey(J):I don't see it as giving up. Not at all. I will admit that
I made it a bit tougher on ourselves. But we may be able to play
yet. What I had to look at was the big picture. We will be
roughly the same team next year as this year. Only better.
Jamy Wright is getting better with each appearance, and
we have worked considerably to improve our pitching. But
the package was not complete. When we learned that we could
make a deal for Maddux, possibly the best pitcher currently in
the game, we had to investigate. Surely our offense will suffer
with the loss of Eric Davis. I know it was Sheffield we traded
for Maddux, but as far as I am concerned we never had Sheffield.
When we brought him in he knew that it was just a temporary stop,
and we immediately began looking to trade him for a pitcher.
So, getting back to my original point, our offense will be hurt. But
will our be pitching be improved enough to make up for it?
You tell me. We lost Eric Davis, Rick Aguilera, and Aaron Sele.
We gained Greg Maddux and Derek Bell. I havent thought too
much of Sele or Aggie since we got them. So in my opinion our
Pitching improvement definitely makes up for the loss in hitting.
The other thing this allows us to do is re-distribute power within
our team. We were VERY power heavy, but lacking in pitching.
Well, we are just as powerful, just a more rounded team.
