The Border Patrol are in Medina now, fresh from a series victory
against division rival New Diggens. Tijuana took 2 out of 3 games at
New Diggens, but sufferred a much larger tragedy than if they had been
swept. Team leader and cleanup hitter Bob Higginson injured his heel.
The dreaded bruised heel has the slugger at only about 70%. "This
thing is killing me. I can barely limp down to first base with. It's
probably best if I sit out for a while, until it at least feels a
little better." Higginson was placed on the DL immediately following
todays game against Medina, despite going 2-5 with a home run in the
game.
Also injured in the game 2 of the New Diggens series was pitcher Lance
Ternasky. The veteran reliever is also laid up with a bruised heel,
sparking comment from members of the Border Patrol front office.
"This is the second road series we've had where we've had multiple
players injured in one game." said Owner/GM Scott Watterson. "It
makes you think, doesn't it? The injuries have been progressively
more serious too, so I'd hate to think we've got another broken neck
like Davis's on the way." Ternasky was also placed on the disabled
list today.
Special agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully of the FBI have been called
in to investigate the pattern injuries. "I'm pretty convinced we've
got something outside of our normal realm of experience here" said
Mulder. "This injury pattern is quite unusual. TWO bruised heels in
one game? It's got to be a conspiracy, reaching to the highest levels
of our government. Indeed, high-ranking officials from the Canadian
government have to be in on it."
Several of the injuries to the Border Patrol players occurred while on
the road at Mississagua and Galena.
"Another possibility to consider is that the league opponents are
frightened that the Border Patrol will control the division too
easily" said Scully. "They could have sent some special operatives
out to wreak havoc for Tijuana."
Indeed that seems to have worked. The Border Patrol offense has been
asleep at the switch for most of the season. The pitching has also
been erratic. "We've really been struggling, but we were just
starting to play better when this had to happen" said Todd
Hollandsworth. "When we saw Higgs and Lance go down in the same game,
we really kind of got together and decided enough was enough." In the
next game, the Border Patrol shut out the Frogs 12-0, and continued
with the hot bats and good pitching to beat the Mustangs 7-1 today.
"Our young guys are really helping us out on the pitching" said
Watterson. "Jaret and Jeff had two great outings in a row, and that's
critical, considering we've got RJ and the two Andy's up now against
Medina." D'Amico has been the most effective starting pitcher for the
Border patrol thus far this season, posting a sterling 3.06 ERA after
5 starts. "We're looking forward to the next series against New
Diggens in a few days, though. We want revenge for Higgs."
When asked if retaliation was in order, pitcher Randy Johnson said, "I
think this team realizes that the important thing is the standings.
Putting up a couple of wins against a team like the Frogs is the best
revenge."
Agenst Mulder and Scully have recommended that the Border Patrol beef
up security during their road games. In addition, they will be
personally performing background checks on the ball-boys, and other
staff provided by the home teams. "I've been getting pretty good at
these background checks. We should be able to get security clearances
fairly quickly" said Mulder.
News and Notes:
Left fielder Darren "Dutch" Daulton has been called up
to take Ternasky's place on the 25 man roster. Bill Brandon has been
called up in place of Bob Higginson.
"Calling a guy a bust, or an all-star for that matter, after 3 starts
is pretty goofy. Talk to me after half a season." -- Randy Johnson
