Week in Review, June 12-18

The Trois-Rivieres Aigles get a two-week break from the Can-Am League rivals, and began a stretch against American Association clubs and the traveling Shikoku Island All-Star team. The Aigles lost the first two of these series, dropping three of four to Amarillo and two of three to Laredo, but a Thursday night victory over Grand Prairie to open their three-game series moved the club to 3-4 in the week.

Entering last Friday’s game, Amarillo had already won the first game of the series 11-6. In the second game, Trois-Rivieres jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, only to see the Thunderheads score six unanswered runs on their way to a 6-3 victory. Craig Hertler had two hits, a run and an RBI for the visiting team.

The third game of the series saw the Aigles score 10 runs on 11 hits, in a seven-run victory. All of their 10 runs came in two innings, scoring four in the first and six in the fifth. Steve Brown went 1-2 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. He also clubbed his second home run and walked once. Jon Smith plated two with two hits. Matthew Rusch won his second game of the season.

In the final game of the series, Amarillo jumped out to an 8-0 lead before Trois-Rivieres scored two in the top of the ninth to end the shutout. Brown’s two-run double was the only real highlight.

The Trois-Rivieres Aigles moved on to Laredo where they downed the Lemurs 8-2 in the first game of the three-game set. Ryan Bollinger pitched six solid innings to move his record to 4-0, and Brown and Smith both had three hits in the game.

The Lemurs would take the last two games of the series. Laredo allowed just one run over the final two contests, winning 3-0 and 6-1. Kevin Thomas pitched well in the shutout loss, allowing just three runs while striking out nine over six innings.

On Thursday the Aigles opened a three-game set in Grand Prairie. Rusch delivered another outstanding start, winning his third game of the season while allowing just one run in seven innings of work. He also struck out eight. Brown was 3-4 with 2 RBI and Hertler went 3-5 and scored two runs.

June 12 – Amarillo 6, Trois-Rivieres 3
June 13 – Trois-Rivieres 10, Amarillo 3
June 14 – Amarillo 8, Trois-Rivieres 2
June 15 – Trois-Rivieres 8, Laredo 2
June 16 – Laredo 3, Trois-Rivieres 0
June 17 – Laredo 3, Trois-Rivieres 1
June 18 – Trois-Rivieres 6, Grand Prairie 1

Record: 11-12, Four games out of first (4th place)

Who’s Hot:

Matt Rusch won both of his starts during the week. He also made one relief appearance in Trois-Rivieres Aigles other win this past week. In 14 innings he allowed just 10 hits and 4 runs. He walked 5 and struck out 16, and is now 3-2.

Steve Brown went 0-4 to start the week, then went 11-21, giving him an 11-25 week (.440) with 3 runs and 8 RBI.

Transactions

On June 12, Jon Smith was activated from the disabled list. LHP Jeff Lorick was placed on the disabled list.

By Robert Pannier