3 Great Opening Sim Performances

Reggie Jackson, Springfield Isotopes
Springfield's right fielder, Reggie Jackson, tried to put the team on his shoulders by driving in all 6 of his teams runs thanks to home runs in both the 7th and 8th innings.  Kevin Appier, the Brews starter, was cruising when Jackson connected with his first shot on a 1-2 fastball that was quickly deposited down the right field line.

One inning later, Appier was in in serious trouble, and faced Jackson once again after loading the bases on a single, double, an walk.  The first pitch of the at-bat, and 123rd overall was crushed well over the the right center field wall

But the damage had already been done, the Brews lineup chased Roger Clemens by the 4th, scoring 8 against the Rocket and the Isotopes bullpen.

Barry Bonds, Critical Failures
On Opening Day, the Failures outlasted the Highlanders 6-1 in an exciting extra inning game that was much closer than the score would indicate.  Barry Bonds, the Failures left fielder, started the season off hot collecting 11 total bases in the victory.  The #3 overall draft pick homered in the 4th, doubled in the 6th, singled in the 8th, and broke the game open in the top of the 10th.

Tied at 1-1 heading into extra innings, Derek Jeter and Jesse Burkett roped back to back singles off of Randy Johnson, who was still in the game despite a pitch count in the 130s.   With a rested pen, manager Casey Stengel stuck with the Big Unit and it burned him to the tune of a 3-run bomb and game winning home run.


Joe Wood, Lakeview Zeros
The best pitching performance of the sim came from Smokin' Joe Wood who propelled his Zero's to 3-0 thanks to a 4-hit, 10-k shutout.  The Inglorious Batters never had a chance and only had two runners advanced into scoring position on the night.  Joey Votto struck out 3-times but did gather a single as well.  Wood's final line:  9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K, 132 pitches.