After giving up 2 runs in the ninth inning and botching what could have
been his second save of the year, Jose Mesa has been placed in middle
relief. Bill Simas will replace Mesa as the Montreal closer, who leads
the team in holds.
Mesa is having a career year in almost every department. Opponents are
batting just .196 against Mesa, and has a 2-1 record with a 2.97 ERA. He
has yet to give up a home run this year in 15 innings.
But, he has struggled at almost every save opportunity, and manager Gary
Carter has decided that this is the last straw.
"We haven't lost our confidence in him. He'll get as many opportunities
to pitch... if not more," said the skipper. "We think Jose needs a
change of scenery."
Can Royals Compete With Outlaws?
* The Royals score on average 4.58 runs per game. The Outlaws get 4.76
runs per game.
* Both teams are even on defense, with 20 errors apiece.
* Deadwood's team ERA: 3.72. Montreal's team ERA: 3.58.
McCoy Notes
* As promised, the Deadwood Outlaws have surged ahead of the rest of the
teams in the McCoy division. The Montreal Royals, at 30-27, are 5 1/2
games out of first place. The Hartford Whalers continue to struggle with
their young staff. They have dropped 5 in a row and have fallen to 9 1/2
games behind the Outlaws.
* It's not very hard to explain the success of the Outlaws: Travis
Fryman has done it all for his team this season. Fryman is leading the
team in RBIs and home runs. At short, he has commited only one error
this season.
* Masato Yoshii, the Japanese rookie, has been the most flamboyant
pitcher on the mound for the Hartford Whalers but has been short on luck
when it comes to wins. He leads Whalers starters in ERA, but has a 2-6
record.
* The Royals, along with the Tucson Border Patrol, are the only teams to
have 3 players in the top 10 leaders in batting average. Royals Rusty
Greer, Rondell White and Mike Lansing are hitting .361, .336 and .330
respectively. Todd Hollandsworth, Bobby Higginson and Ray Durham are
hitting .356, .348 and .327 for the BPs.
* Pete Schourek continues to have an outstanding year. Yesterday, he
tied Royals pitcher Kirk Rueter for 8 wins on the season. Both are
second in wins behind Kevin Appier, who has 10.
