Freakin' Bellevue Freakin' Franchise

(Submitted by Duke Street Owner Jeff B)

DUKE STREET, MINNESOTA (AP) -- From June 6 (the day after the Bullpen Massacre of 2009) until the All-Star Break, the Duke Street Kings went 18-6, including a 7 game winning streak that began on 6/28. A dismal 24-33 start left them outside the potential playoff field at the break, but that hot streak took them out of the cellar into second place, and above .500 for the first time since early April.

But they barely made a dent in the Games Back column, as the team they trailed, Bellevue Freakin' Franchise, posted a 16-11 record over the same stretch. So when the teams met to kick off the Kings' second half, it was a welcome chance to pick up 2 games against their bitter rivals.

Alas, the All-Star break proved to be a momentum-killer. With a chance to run the winning streak to 8, a 2 run lead evaporated in the 8th inning of Game 82, leading to a heartbreaking 5-4, 11-inning defeat. The second game wasn't as close, as a 7-run first inning - starter Rich Harden managed to record only 1 measly out - put the King's in an insurmountable hole.

The division deficit now sits at 10.5, not 8.5, with the wild card 10 games away.

There's still plenty of baseball left, including 9 games against freakin' Freakin' Franchise. But one can't help but wonder if the Kings are the victims of regicide, and if there's anything beleaguered manager Jeff Burns can do to shake things up again.