Aurora Storialis - The Borealis Blog

[Borealis]

It Shoulda Been Easier
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

October 5, 2037: Aurora, Colorado – The record will show that on July 1st, Aurora began play 21-games over .500, and two months later the Desert Hills was a dead heat. Only a 16-11 September that included sweeps of Fargo and Tempe - and taking 3 of 4 from Kzoo, kept Aurora in the race. The record will also show that Tempe was 11-16 - the 5-game deficit they would finish 2037 with, after a smoking July and August in which they were 38-17 - the same 21-game swing, in reverse, that Aurora experienced.

Aurora tried to give the division to Tempe - just 3-y over the final 10-games, losing 3 of 4 to pathetic Bakersfield and being swept by Reno, but even a final stretch at 6-4 could save the Tempe season.

And so, Aurora finished a 2037 season that should have been easier, finishing at 92-70, and earning the 2nd seed in the Sovereign League - hosting Duluth in the Division Series, who had to hold on and win the final series of the season against the Badgers to win the Great Lakes by a single game with an 89-73 mark.

Despite the ragged season, the club posted a .277 average - good enough for second in the SL. Despite an OBP of .338 - 3rd best in the SL, the Borealis finished 6th in runs - thanks to an old refrain: 89 HR, worst in the SL. Yuma was next at 105 - that's how bad it was for Aurora; 34 of the 89 came off the bat of Claudio Hernandez, who posted his best season for Aurora. The club did finish with the fewest K and most SB.

Most surprising of all, the Borealis were 18-25 in 1-run games, and 5-7 in extra innings - something a little power would have helped with.

Angel Silva narrowly lead the team with a .303 average (4th in the SL) - just nudging past Raul Munoz at .302 (5th in the SL). 'Otter' scored 113 runs (4th in the SL), had 42-2B (5th in the SL) and stole 78-bases (2nd only to Juan Velasquez' 105). G-Rod had 45-2B (5th). Claudio Hernandez' 34-homers was 5th in the SL and he drove in 101 runs.

The pitching staff was as enigmatic as the hitters - the 3rd best ERA (3.57), 2nd fewest runs allowed and homers allowed and 4th best OAVG (.244) - and yet, the club struggled. The opening day rotation was adequate: Clark (10-8, 3.49),Batista (13-14, 3.83) and Cluett (13-13, 4.03) were on again - off again most of the year. Rookie Victorio Guerra was 11-0 at the All-Star Break, and finished 13-7 with a 3.43 ERA. Ramon Gonzales missed 40% of his season with nagging injuries and rehab starts, but he was reliable down the stretch to finish 5-4 with a 3.39 ERA. Hector Gutierrez illustrated the bullpen's misfortunes all by himself: 40 saves (to lead the SL) - and just 1 blown save, yet a 3-7 record.

Aurora made two moves of note down the stretch, picking up Barry Rodriguez from San Juan (3-2, 4.22 ERA, 3 HRA and a WHIP of 1.56 - with the Borealis) and Lorenzo Castanieda (.267 average in 50 games - after hitting .311 for New Orleans) - and neither made enough of an impact to warrant their acquisition.

Of Note
Aurora's catching situation became an effective platoon - Pedro de la Cruz getting the bulk of RH AB, while Lan-quing Qing the bulk of LH AB - and combined they hit .269, with 10 HR and 82 RBI. Masamichi Daikawa made his debut, had some struggles - particularly with getting some pop behind his swing, but he finished with a .285 average.

Down on the Farm
Both Thornton and Gatineau continued their long running stretch of poor seasons, while the lower levels enjoyed great success. Although SLRC lost their division on the last day to Rosarito (on a 14-inning 3-2 loss), they did make the post-season, losing in the Wild Card game, 3-2 to Mexicali... Mokuleia won their division by 6-games over Ewa Beach, beat Kauai 3-1, and were up 3-0 to Lanai City - only to lose the next four to the eventual Surf and Snow champs - including two 1-run losses and a two-run loss... Montserrat won their second straight division title - this time by 8-games over Aruba with the 2nd best record in the IBC - a wire to wire win, then they beat Aruba, Asmara and Aukland to take the IBC championship for the first time.

The Mystique were led by Josh Whiskin and his 42 HR and 87 RBI and the break-out season of Vicente Carvajal, who hit .295. 3rd round pick Toshimichi Ohayashi was 10-2 with a 2.43 ERA, while last years top pitching picks Leo Gerber (6-2, 2.56) and Dad-hyun Pak (11-0, 2.11) rounded out an outstanding rotation that will be worth following over the next few seasons as they make their way up the chain to Aurora. Closer Lance 'Crane' Marshland had 19 saves and a 0.99 ERA out of the 'pen.

3B Gijsbert 'van Gogh' Verboven led the way for the Oceanic with a .285 average and 18 HR with 75 RBI, while another trio of pitchers (Jung-hyun Yi (15-2, 1.81), George Anderson (13-2, 2.40) and Marcos Segura (11-0, 2.86) were dominant on the mound. Closer Arthur 'Dingo' Massingham has 36 saves and a 1.70 ERA out of the 'pen.

Whats on Tap
While Toyama and The Evils Evas knock each other around in the wild card round, the Borealis prepare for the Duluth Warriors. Duluth is much like Aurora offensively - few strikeouts and lots of stolen bases - but that's where comparisons really end, as they were 8th in HR: 147 on the year. Pitching-wise, the advantage goes to the Borealis - the Warriors starters posted a 4.61 ERA - 15th in the SL, so the Borealis better make hay early in the games as Duluth's bullpen had a 4th best 3.22 ERA. Aurora won 5 of 7 games this year against Duluth.

[Borealis]

Aurora Finally Pass Divisional Test
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

October 22, 2037: Aurora, Colorado – The last three times the Borealis had made the playoffs they failed to get out of the Divisional round - falling to a member of the Great Lakes division - Fargo, and then Kalamazoo twice in a row - including last years inglorious sweep at the hands of the Badgers. Fate had to finally break Aurora's way, right?

In 2037, it was Aurora's turn to get past the Divisional round and a member of the Great Lakes.

Aurora did it by taking advantage of the home field to win three, 1-run games at Northern Lights, and winning one road game (to take a firm 3-0 lead in the series), dispatching the Duluth Warriors 4-2 in a series that saw 3B David Simmons earn MVP honors for his 8-18 in five games with a 1.222 OPS.

The opener pitted Rene Padilla for Duluth against Brian Clark, and after surrendering 3-hits over the first three-innings, Clark found trouble in the 4th inning against the heart of the Warriors line-up. After David Trujillo led the inning off with a single, Antonio Herrera snuck one over the wall for a homer run, spotting the Warriors to an early lead. but they weren't done - Jose Rivera followed the homer with a single - stole second, went to 3rd on an infield out - and scored on Al MacPherson's 2-out RBI single. Duluth looked like they'd extend that lead in the 5th, as a lead-off double by Velasquez was followed by a 1-out single by Trujillo - but it was hit too hard for even the speedy Velasquez to score. This time 'Slug' was able to get Herrera on strikes and Rivera on a bouncer to second to end the threat.

Aurora began to chip away in the bottom of the first - David Simmons had a lead off double, but Gabe Rodriguez' grounder to the hole couldn't find the outfield - with Simmons forced to stop at third. Padilla got de la Cruz to strike out - but Angel Silva was able to get a fly ball deep enough for the plodding Simmons to score - making it 3-1. Duluth continued to put the pressure on Clark in the 6th - Bartolo Mora and MacPherson both singling with one out to chase 'Slug' - and in came the starter left out of the mix - Henry Cluett. 'Professor Plum' battled Dominic Culpepper - striking him out to end the inning, and he would pitch two more scoreless frames that would give the Borealis the chance to get back in the game.

And back in the game they did in the 7th. G-Rod led off the inning with a single off reliever Marty Bernard - his lone batter, and then with one out, 'Otter' singled off Sang-hyun Pak - putting the tying runs on base for Jose Aleman - and Aurora's young shortstop wasted no time - hitting one up into the arcade in right, a 3-run homer, giving Aurora a 4-3 lead. 'Machete' would close it out in the 9th for the save, and Aurora would have the come-from-behind victory to take the early lead in the series.

Game two was a roller coaster, one in which the Borealis took an early lead - gave it up, and were forced to come from behind once more. Rookie Victorio Guerra was on the mound for Aurora, and he made quick work of the Warriors in the first, while Cooper Harris would find himself behind before the crowd settled. Silva tripled on Cooper's 2nd pitch of the game, and scored on an Aleman sac fly on his first pitch - Aurora was on the board. The lead was short lived as the Warriors would parlay a lead off walk and four consecutive singles and a groundout into three runs in the second - taking a 3-1 lead. Not to be outdone, Castanieda and Ortega led the bottom of the 2nd off with singles - 'Stocky' rounding it to third, where he scored on a FC, followed by Pedro de la Cruz' RBI double - tying the game at 3.

The game stayed tied until the fourth, when Jose Castillo singled with 2-out and MacPherson tripled of 'Lanza' to drive in the run giving Duluth a 4-3 lead. It looked like Duluth would add on to that lead as Kichida came on in relief and walked Raul Garcia on a full count pitch. When Bartolo Mora beat out a sac bunt, things looked dicey for 'Werewolf' - especially after he struck out 'Gorilla' and then threw a 2-2 pitch to Castillo to the backstop. Aurora's young reliever righted himself, struck out Castillo and then struck out MacPherson to end the threat. Barry Rodriguez came in and he'd pitch the final three innings - the only blemish being a pair of errors by Ortega and Munoz.

Meanwhile Cooper Harris would coast - allowing only three more baserunners through the 7th - a HBP, a walk, and a single - and it was Chris Acevez who come into the 9th to protect the 4-3 lead. And he failed to do so. Ruben Ortega, Acevez first batter, worked the count full - then blasted a shot for a game tying solo homer leading off the 9th. David Simmons followed that up with a single on the next pitch - and then G-Rod walked. Pedro de la Cruz hit what looked like a double play ball - but Henry Davis was slow getting the ball out of his glove on the turn, giving Pedro the chance to beat out the throw back to first. That brought up Silva with the infield in - and he hit it right to Davis, who threw Simmons out at home; Silva beating the relay to first - leaving it up to Aleman - and for the second game in a row, it was Aurora's shortstop with the winner - a lined single that brought home de la Cruz for 2nd; a 2-run, 9th inning rally that gave Aurora a 5-4 win, and a 2-0 series lead as the teams head north to Minnesota.

Armando Batista and Manuel Gonzales were on the mound for their respective teams - and neither was very effective - though Batista did his best Houdini imitation to get the game into the 8th with the lead. Aurora had a chance right off the bat, as Arundale led the game off with a double - but he was quickly erased trying to steal third. The second inning was a different story for the Borealis. 'Matchbox', swinging for the fences, fouled off six-pitches before singling to start the inning, and then 'Otter' worked a walk, putting two on with no outs for Lan-quing Qing, Aurora's back-up/LHP platoon catcher - who on the year, in 82-games, hit just 3 HR - but make that four as he lined the first pitch over the fence for an unlikely 3-run homer - giving the Borealis a 3-0 lead with a shot at a 3-0 lead in the series.

Bautista dodged his first bullet in the 2nd allowing a double and single, while in the third 'Stocky' singled, stole second, moved to third on a fly ball and scored on a Claudio Hernandez single. Duluth had a 2-out single and steal in the 3rd, amounting to nothing, and in the 4th a single by Herrera - who got picked off and a walk to Rivera - who was thrown out stealing, before in the 5th three singles by Duluth led to a run, before a double play off Davis' bat ended the threat of a bigger inning. Aurora would get that run back in the 6th, as Silva singled and stole second and Daikawa would single him in - keeping the deficit for Duluth at 3, with a 4-1 score.

Bautista persevered. MacPherson single and Culpepper double allowed for a run in the 7th, and he allowed a similar combo in the 8th before he was finally lifted for Yellel Twia. 'Hyena' did allow a run - on a groundout to end the threat, and in the bottom of the 9th Gutierrez also allowed a double and a single - but they were surrounded by strikeouts - as 'Machete' otherwise struck out the side for the save - giving Aurora a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 lead in the series.

Ramon Gonzales was on the hill, tasked with the clincher that would repay the Great Lakes for last years sweep at the hands of Kzoo, and Ramon pitched well - it was unfortunate that his teammates did not respond. Errors by Ruben Ortega and David Simmons lead to a pair of single runs that augmented Bartolo Mora's solo homer in a 3-0 win by Duluth, holding off the Borealis for at least one more day. Gonzales held Duluth to 5 H and 2 BB - and 'Chattahoochee' Fujii added 2.2 hitless innings in relief - but Aurora couldn't take advantage of 5 H and 5 BB as they left 19 batters on base.

Then game 5 came along and things got a little scary.

Brian Clark took the ball in game 5 and after Aurora spotted him to a 3-0 lead (Castanieda RBI single in the 1st and David Simmons RBI triple and a sac fly in the 4th), the stuff hit the fan. Clark would end up allowing 12-hits and 4-runs, and in relief Kichida would go an inning and allow three more as Duluth scored 7-runs over the 5th, 6th and 7th innings. Four times Aurora had a runner in scoring position (beyond the two innings they scored in) - and all four times they failed to deliver the key hit - outdoing the previous games 19 LOB with another 20, as they lost 7-3 and Duluth packed their bags down just 3-2 and all the momentum in the world - and after their failures the last three playoff series, the Borealis had to be shaking their heads.

Michel Provost had a choice to make - and he was not an option. Stick with the rookie Guerra, or go with Henry Cluett, who had 3.2 scoreless innings in relief - including 1.1 in game 5. That last piece was the deciding factor, and so it was 'Lanza' on the mound for game 6.

And the rookie responded with an effort reminiscent to his early season starts. Guerra would pitch 8-strong innings, allowing just 4-hits, walking none and allowing 2-runs - one of which was unearned thanks to another error by Simmons. Things looked promising in the 6th as Rene Padilla walked Angel Silva to lead off the inning. Jose Aleman and Raul Munoz followed with infield singles to load the bases, with no outs, for 'Matchbox' - and Hernandez responded lining it into the gap for a 2-run RBI double - and that was followed by Castanieda doing the same - a line drive, 2-run double - chasing Padilla and driving the sellout crowd of 67,590 to their feet in hysteria.

In came Hector Gutierrez for the 9th - already two saves in the series - a chance to save the win for Guerra and give Aurora the series. Not today. He walked Davis to start the inning and surrendered a double to Herrera. Mora popped-up for the first out, but Garcia's fly ball was deep enough to score Davis - making it 4-3, with two outs. Aurora chose to walk Gandarilla and face Castillo - who singled on a 3-2 pitch to tie the game. 'Machete' got MacPherson for the final out of the inning, but he walked off the mound crestfallen and the game tied at 4.

Chris Acevez came out of the 'pen - holder of a blown save already (in game 2) and Aurora was no less unkind. David Simmons greeted him with a single, and after G-Rod flew out, Lan Qing singled - with Simmons exhibiting some heads up as Duluth was slow getting the ball back into the infield - taking third, where it was easy to score as Angel Silva singled through a drawn in infield - the dugout pouring onto the field to celebrate a 5-4 win, the second in the bottom of the 9th for the series, and a 4-2 win in the series.

As it turned out, despite taking a 3-0 lead in their series, Game 6 was the lone playoff game on this day as the other three series finished quickly - with Toyama dispatching the defending champion Niihama Ghosts with four straight wins after dropping game 1, setting the stage for an Aurora-Toyama Alliance Tournament Sovereign League championship.

[Borealis]

PEC Hopes Dance Off Into Wind
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

October 29, 2037: Somewhere over the Pacific – It was a long shot to begin with - this generation of Aurora Borealis seem to do it with smoke and mirrors, which explains the disparate play they show from week to week and month to month. If success through consistency is the word in Florida, West Virginia and Shin Seiki, then success through inconsistency is the word in Aurora - and there is no better example than these past two weeks of playoff baseball. Aurora looked (mostly) strong against Duluth, but against Toyama - with three straight games in Japan, where the Borealis are historically hexed?

It was going to be a tall order.

But it started out well, as Armando Batista opened the series and was handed a 4-0 lead before he finally caved - a walk and two doubles (half of Toyama's baserunners against Batista) giving Toyama a chance to halve the score. Aurora would get those runs back - holding a 6-2 edge in the 9th before Barry Rodriguez surrendered a no-out, 2-run homer to Kevin Newton, before 'Machete' came on to seal the deal - striking out his last three batters, after walking the first two, putting the tying runs on base. The win was a much needed one for the Borealis, getting off to a good start and giving them a chance to head to Japan for game 3 with some momentum.

Game 2 featured the Gonzales' on the mound - Ramon v. Alfredo, and if you were late to this one, you missed most of the action as Toyama scored a pair in the top of the first - Salinas and Newton with solo homers, and Aurora came back with a run in the first (Aleman single, SB and Munoz RBI single) and second (Simmons walk and a Silva 2-out double). Toyama had one chance with a runner in scoring position, but other than that the pitching was stellar - into the 10th, where Gutierrez was in his second inning of relief and allowed a leadoff double to Rodrigo Vasquez. The speedy shortstop needed just a pair of fly balls to score the go ahead - and winning run. Aurora looked like they were in business and ready to extend the game - or close it. Ortega singled and then Simmons singled, but Ortega picked the wrong time to challenge Ramiro Salinas - one of the top outfielders in the game, and he threw a bullet to third that beat the fleet Ortega easily - and for all intents, ended the game for Aurora - a 3-2 Toyama win, evening the series.

Brian Clark was on the mound for his third start of the playoffs and when he walked off the mound - possibly for the last time this year, he left a whole bag of questions out on the field after his 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R performance that would be a second win for Toyama - planting that hoped for momentum squarely on the shoulders of the Wind Dancers. Toyama lead the game off for the home team with a pair of singles and a walk - setting the stage for a big inning, and they didn't disappoint when Kobayashi doubled to clear the bases and plant a 3-spot on the board. Although Aurora would answer with a run in the second (a 2-out RBI single by G-Rod), John Pulsifer would get it right back - and it was 4-1. 'Slug' did settle down, and gave Aurora a chance to play catch=up - which they nearly did in the 6th - after Aleman led off with a triple, a single by Hernandez, a walk and a single by Ortega made it 4-3. Aurora had the chance to make a game of it, but Gabe Rodriguez would drop a flyball - that would have been the third out - but instead became two runs for Toyama - making it 6-3, and despite a Munoz double and Castanieda triple in the 8th - and a Silva double in the 9th, Aurora was just not able to overcome their mistakes, falling behind in the series 2-1.

The series would basically be over after game 4. What do you need to know? Guerra, Cluett and Fujii did not have iron this day - combining for 14 H, 7 R, 6 BB and 2 HRA, while Alfredo Vargas pitched into the 8th and allowed just a run.

So it was Batista back on the mound - the lone Aurora winner thus far, and when Aurora opened the scoring in the first with a pair of runs - 'Otter' with a 2-out, 2-run RBI single (following a Castanieda single and Munoz double) - and Batista moved into the 4th having allowed a pair of singles, there was a hint of hope in the Aurora dugout that this series might make it back to The Front Range. But, alas no. In the 4th, Pulsifer singled, Cabrera doubles, Newton singled and Kobayashi doubled - all with no out, and Vasquez added a sac fly, making it a 3-2 Toyama lead and Aurora's winds of hope went dancing off into the setting sun. Toyama would add to their lead, while Aurora would have chances that they let go of, thus Toyama would win the game 6-2, making it four straight wins to take the series 4-1.

Raul Munoz, Lorenzo Castanieda and Angle Silva combined for a 20-56 series, driving home 10, but Aurora catchers were 1-19, Arundale was 1-11, 'Matchbox' was 3-19 with Aurora's lone homer (Toyama had 6). Aurora starters went a total of 25-combined innings and allowed 15-runs, for a 5.40 ERA. It's worth noting the relievers must not have been much better when the team ERA was 5.02 and ever pitcher allowed a run except 'Hyena', who pitched just an inning.

And so the 2037 season comes to a painful close, and a team that seemingly a few years ago was touting their youth, suddenly is looking a bit long in the tooth. But that is for another day's discussion.

[Borealis]

Early Offseason News
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

November 14, 2037: Aurora, Colorado – The dust has settled on the 2037 season - a season whose success is determined by where expectations may lie. After missing out on the playoffs last season, claiming the Desert Hills crown and playing for a spot in the PEC is by definition success, but now the time has come to craft expectations and rosters for the 2038 season.

But first...

Highs for 2037
Aside from finishing first, the efforts of Angel Silva and Claudio Hernandez stand out. In his second full season, Silva hit .303 with 42-2B, 10-3B, 11 HR, 79 RBI, scored 113 runs and stole a whopping 78 bases - which is a team record, passing Roy Duke's 69 in 2030, Shane Willis' 67 in 2034, Mike Hale's 62 in 2021 and the 60 shared by Jose Aleman (2035) and En-guo Guao way back in 2013. His 21 caught stealing ties the record set by En-guo in that same year, and Tomas Flores in 2027. It was the second straight season that Silva scored 113 runs, tied with Al Edwards for 8th in Aurora history.

Claudio Hernandez had the best of his three seasons with Aurora, hitting .267 (after two+ seasons in the .240's), with 34 HR (he had 26 each of the past two years) and 101 RBI (he was in the 80's). All with the fewest AB in his three full years on The Front Range.

Rookie pitchers Victoria Guerra and Toshikuni Kichida had solid seasons. Guerra was unhittable over the first half of the year, which Aurora hopes will be a point of growth in his sophomore season. Kichida was statistically strong (2.12 ERA), but 60% of his appearances he was responsible for putting a runner(s) on base and nearly a quarter (23.5) of inherited runners scored - he had only 18 of 50 perfect outings.

Montserrat finished with 65 wins and won the Rookie League title - the 4th time in 7-years that a member of the Paradise League has taken home the title.

Lows for 2037
The performance of Barry Rodriguez and Lorenzo Castanieda. Barry had a 2.27 ERA with 12 BB in 39.2 IP with SJ, and after the trade he had 4.22 ERA and 19 BB in 32 IP - his WHIP up half a runner, his walk rate nearly doubled, and he allowed more hits and his runs allowed increased 50% - all while pitching fewer innings. He's just 26, and will be under his rookie contract next season - likely arbitration eligible in 2039, so it's fair to expect him to stick around for a number of years - if he can settle himself. Perhaps it's the difference between the humid seas level air and the 'mile high' altitude and dry air at Aurora.

For 'Stocky', it may be more a case of Aurora expected more. Statistically - aside from average, which was down nearly 50-points, he was close to where he was with New Orleans - except for SB - and that may be more about being on base less and/or more people in front of him.

Orinosuke Fujii had a drop off season, after a career high of 2.35 during his previous seasons, in 2037 it was 5.05 - walks were up, strikeouts were down and balls put in play were finding holes far too often. Aurora even gave him a start to try and calm him down, but even that was a disaster.

Contracts
The club held a pair of team options for the 2038 season on the contracts of Claudio Hernandez and Francisco Montoya. After the 'contract drive' like season for 'Matchbox' Aurora readily picked up the option, in hopes that 2038 will provide a similar boost for the Panamanian slugger - well, that and who else is hitting home runs on this club? He will be 36-years old in just a few weeks, so there is a risk here, but suiting up almost exclusively as the DH day-in and day-out, certainly must help prolong his career. It will be said that there were those in the Organization who were set, going into 2037, on letting Hernandez walk if he performed as he had the previous two seasons.

Francisco Montoya was a bit more of a surprise, but he finally found his niche on the team had thus seemed to perform well - despite losing the job he had signed on to take in 2035 before the season had even started. If we were being honest, we are surprised he was retained - probably his veteran presence had something to do with it, even if he spends more time sulking about his role on the club. He'll be 37 some the start of spring training, and this is almost assuredly his last season with Aurora.

Aurora avoided arbitration with two of the three players who were eligible - Lewis 'Haggis' Uige signing a 1-year extension for $1,000,000, and Rudy Howard signing also a 1-year deal worth $2.2M. For Howard, 2037 was not the best of years, but the club looks forward to a bounce back year. For 'Haggis', he had a mixed bag of a season - which included 7 GS while Ramon Gonzales was on the DL and rehabbing at AAA numerous times. He had four very strong starts, followed by three not so strong efforts - which coincided with Gonzales return to the rotation - and improvements on his part.

The lone arbitration case left is Ed Madore, and the vibe being sent out by the club is one of confusion - he has played an important role for the club since signing with Aurora, but he has no guaranteed spot, and at 34, they wonder how much he has left. They may let him go and perhaps sign him back to a minor league deal.

Aside from numerous minor league contracts, perhaps the biggest story was that of Castanieda, whose contract is due to expire, with him hitting free agency. Initial discussions with the versatile fielder looked like he was going to sign - but after stalling on signing the offer for two weeks, he came back to the club and decided he didn't want to talk and was going to test the market. In doing so, Aurora lost a prospect catcher for the rental of Castanieda, but the deal did move Aurora from 93rd (in the 3rd round - their 2nd round pick went to San Juan) to 40th (the 3rd pick in the 2nd round) - so if 'Stocky' does indeed depart, they at least have something for the loss.

Personnel
Aurora lost two managers (AA and Short A) and a hitting coach (A) this offseason, and will be looking to file those roles - there's rumors that the recently retired Pedro Ferringo may be offered a job, but the real news that came out of Aurora HQ was that 'Big Whiskey' has been promoted to hitting coach with the Borealis, while Mamoaru Shimada was 'demoted' to AAA as the new manager of the Sun Dogs.

[Borealis]

Year End Contract Sweep
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

December 22, 2037: Asheville, North Carolina – The start of the Borealis offseason began with a whimper. Two big name free agent targets of Aurora's shockingly signed quickly with other teams - leaving Aurora holding an empty bag. Lorenzo Castanieda, who Aurora picked up at the trade deadline, and then reportedly all but accepted an extension offer - only to spur Aurora's interests at the last minute - signed with the Crystal Lake Sandgnats for a whopping $35M guaranteed a year for the next two seasons, leaving Aurora GM Will Topham shaking his head, muttering 'not on my watch'. Then there was former Evil Eva starting pitcher Roberto Rivera, who looked at Aurora's front-loaded offer and decided he liked Kentucky's back-loaded one better - offers that were otherwise eerily similar.

And thus the Borealis turn a page to free agent plan B - whatever that may be - if it be.

The Winter Meetings, meanwhile came and passed in a quiet manner - Aurora silent spectators on a day when only 13-trades were consummated and their rising division foe - and Rising Sun rival, made the biggest splash as Tempe picked up John Pulsifer from Toyama, while the Win-D's added Owen Barse to their rotation - to replace the free agency departed Alfredo Gonzales, and DH Eng-hee Chin, to replace Pulsifer in their line-up.

What has been Aurora's response? Five contract extensions to fend off upcoming free agency or escalating arbitration costs.

The biggest and most intriguing - on many levels was the 5-year deal that the Borealis struck with 1B Raul Munoz. After a couple of off seasons, the former-1st round pick agreed to three-years guaranteed at $14.2M per with an opt-out after the third year, with two team option years to follow - also at $14.2M. The shocking element in this is the soon-to-be-30, smooth-swinging lefty, has agreed to five more seasons at his current salary. Munoz hit .302, which was 5th best in the SL, with 7 HR and 84 RBI.

Angel Silva is entering his last season at league minimum, but he and the ball club got a head start on dodging the Grand Arbiter by agreeing on a two year contract worth $8M a year for the young, 3rd year CF who hit .303, had the 3rd best WAR in the SL (7.2), scored 113 runs and stole 78 bases. Rounding out the stats sheet he had 42-2B, 10-3B (both career highs), 11 HR and 79 RBI (also a career high for RBI).

In a somewhat surprising move, the club signed 2B Raul Ortega to a reasonable 4-year deal - with a pair of team options - with the potential value of $30M. Ortega, who came to Aurora at the deadline in 2036, from Kentucky (for 1B. Miguel Moran and a 4th round pick), hit .276 in his first full season with the Borealis, with a stat line that wasn't too impressive (.726 OPS), but he did steal 45 bases in 54 attempts and scored 70 runs.

Aurora also signed two members of their late-inning bullpen in 'Hyena' and 'Machete'.

Twia bounced back from a shaky 2036 and posted a 5-1 record and a 1.65 ERA over 65.1 IP in relief. Aurora awarded the soon to be 28-year old a 6-year deal, with four-years guaranteed at $36M, and an opt-out on another two seasons at $12M apiece - both with a team option. The deal may lock the 'Hyena' with Aurora until he is 34, avoiding free-agency. Twia is yet another example that Aurora is willing to pay it's back end of the bullpen.

And pay they appear ready to continue as Hector Gutierrez agreed to terms on a two-year deal that will eat up his first year of free-agency. The contract calls for $11M in 2039 and $13M in 2040 - PEBA rules preventing a larger contract with a full arbitration year left on his resume. So the Borealis wait on next offseason and exploring a longer-term extension for the two-time Reliever of the year who lead the league with 40 saves this year, with a 2.59 ERA - with 94 K in 73 IP.

The last bit of news is word surfacing out of Aurora that with the retirement of Montserrat IBC Manager of the Year, Al Goudie, retiring, Pedro Ferringo, the former-star DH for the Borealis during their three-peat title run, will be named manager of the Paradise League champs. There will no doubt be more to follow on this story.

[Sandgnats]

Lorenzo Castanieda, who Aurora picked up at the trade deadline, and then reportedly all but accepted an extension offer - only to spur Aurora's interests at the last minute - signed with the Crystal Lake Sandgnats for a whopping $35M guaranteed a year for the next two seasons, leaving Aurora GM Will Topham shaking his head, muttering 'not on my watch'.

[Borealis]

Will Rocky Bring Powerful Punch?
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

January 8, 2038: Aurora, Colorado – The calendar turned to 2038 and the PEBA looks towards it's 32nd season. On The Front Range the Aurora Borealis look towards a 28 year under the control of the Topham-Golden Entertainment Clan, with the Boy Wonder GM - once a brash, daring 16-year old, now staring down his 45th birthday with his 18-year old niece signing the paychecks. The turn-around could be a plot out of an old vaudeville act at one of Golden's predecessor entities, Castle Cabaret - where many a boxing match took place along San Francisco's old Barbary Coast.

Why the history lesson? Because Rocky is coming to town.

This evening the Borealis made the announcement that they have signed free agent outfielder Rocky Kowalski to a contract that has $44M guaranteed over three seasons before Kowalski can opt out of a remaining two years at $10M each - a potential $64M deal. The club owns a pair of team options on the remaining two seasons.

Kowalski, who just turned 31-years of age before the end of 2037, has been a member of the Kentucky Thoroughbreds for the past seven seasons, where he has posted a career .277 average and has hit 173 HR with 595 RBI. The fleet-footed corner-outfielder also had 37-3B and 150 SB - both numbers he's sure to boost with an Aurora club that likes to run and plays in a park that favors triples - just ask Steve McDonald, Teddy Loetzsch, Shane Willis and Stewart Arundale. Last season he hit .280 with 25 HR and 96 RBI - after having well over 100 RBI the previous three seasons.

Rocky was originally a scouting find by the Crystal Lake Sandgnats, and after his first pro season, in 2025, he was traded to Kentucky after hitting .309 for Mauna Loa (SA), for Jonathan Francis. He would go on to be a two-time AAA All-Star and a Platinum Stick winner at LF and 2B - if you can believe that, and an IL All-Star in 2034 - the first of two-consecutive years he led the IL in RBIs.

Aurora has certainly been in the need of add punch, and this move should help - one would hope, but last year he was used almost exclusively against RHP - and it was against LHP that Aurora has struggled with. Perhaps the club envisions him taking over 'Matchbox's lineup spot after this coming year, when Hernandez' contract expires (at nearly 37-years of age) - Claudio's splits a re a bit better, but that's a reasonable assumption. In the meantime, the signing puts a crush on the outfield portion of the roster.

Aurora already had Gabe Rodriguez, Stewart Arundale, Angel Silva, Masamichi Daikawa - with the 5th outfield spot on the going to Hernandez. Rocky makes a 6th outfielder - something will have to give. 'Matchbox' isn't going anywhere, nor is 'Otter'. The 22-year old Masamichi hit .285 as a rookie - with even splits, he's not likely to be out of a job. That leaves the pair of former-1st round picks - 'Litterbug' and G-Rod as the odd man out. Arundale's LH splits were very good - average-wise, but he doesn't bring a lot of pop to the plate. He did have a career high 34 SB. G-Rod's splits were't to off - .286 vRHP, .266 vLHP, and he delivers more power - he had 45-2B and 46-2B in 2-36, but after averaging 9 HR his first four seasons, he hit just 4 last year. He has just 5-career SB.

So it appears to boil down to this: demote Masamichi, or trade one of two effective outfielders whose lone Achilles heel is an inability to hit the long ball.

But at Northern Lights, will Rocky hit enough? He likes to use all fields, with good power to the gaps - how many HR to right-center will end up outs or triples - there in lies the story for many a power hitter for the Aurora Borealis.

Lost in the excitement of Kowalski's signing was the deal Aurora signed with reliever Tekle-Mariam Louahla - another South African relief pitcher, who signed a 4-year, with 2-guaranteed, contract that could be worth as much as $14.8M - only the first two, at $6.2M are guaranteed, with Aurora holding team options on the last two years.

Louahla was a 2030 scouting find by Amsterdam who has split time as a starter and reliever, pitching some in the closer role this year at Utrecht (A), earning 15 saves and posting a 2.54 ERA. He struck out 120 and walked 36 in 113 IP. He has a dominating fastball that could be outrageously wicked if he could get a bit more movement and control on it.

Tekle-Mariam is the third South African pitcher on the roster, after 'Hyena' and Abay Icharia, and the 5th overall - with 3B set Murtada and SS Aryendra Haryadi at SLRC. Louahla will likely begin his time with Aurora at the AAA Sun Dogs, barring an outstanding spring.

[Sandgnats]

Wow interesting to see what happens to some guys over that period of time. Francis ended up being a really good set up guy that year he was traded and then puttered out before being shipped off to Yuma.

[Borealis]

Spring Preview and Questions
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

March 1, 2038: Grand Junction, Colorado – The facilities are bustling at both the major league and minor league camps for the Aurora Borealis as spring training is in full swing and spring games lie on the horizon. As is often the deal with contending teams, there appears to be little surprise to come from this years camp - aside from a perplexing outfield situation. Let's take a quick peak at the spring roster.

Catcher:
Pedro de la Cruz and Lan-quing Qing will come out of spring training as the catchers on the 26-man roster - minor leaguer Keith Ruscoe is expected to have no chance of unseating the incumbents, despite his strong defensive skills. The real question here is this: Will Qing displace de la Cruz as the full-time catcher after a strong 2037 that saw him hit .281, while Pedro hit .265, but out homered Qing 7-3. The two settled into a convenient platoon situation last year - with Qing getting late inning playing time; taking advantage of his defensive skills.

Infield:
The resurgence of Raul Munoz last year was key to Aurora's holding onto the division after Tempe had chased down the Borealis by September 1. With a new contract in hand, Munoz is likely to stick around, but be sure to keep an eye on Mark Newton, the 3rd round pick in 2036, who has had two excellent minor league seasons and who grades out very similarly to Munoz in the scout's eyes - aside from his tremendous speed - and ability to play shortstop - and odd combo for a first baseman, and one the club plans on using this spring with an eye to the future. Also in camp is Taizo Fujii - who originally was signed by Okinawa, was traded to Aurora in the Jose Torres deal, then traded back to Okinawa in the Richard Neely trade - only to be released by Okinawa in November and resigning with Aurora. He will likely lineup with Thornton this year.

Ruben Ortega returns at second base - a spot that will at times be manned by Juan Rodriguez - particularly in late inning assignments, and Jose Aleman, at times to allow Francisco Montoya - yes, he's still with Aurora, some playing time. David Simmons - whose power stroke seems to have gone AWOL, will return at third - a position Aleman may also play at times. Aurora used a lot of platooning in the infield last year - using the flexibility of Aleman and Rodriguez to their best advantage. Two names to watch are Fernando Rodriguez, a speedy 3B by trade, but also a very competent 1B, who split time at AA and AAA and hit 13 HR in 74 games for the Balloonists. 22-year old Gijsbert Verboven, an 8th round pick in 2034 has spent three full seasons at Montserrat and last season at Mokule'ia. He's averaged near .290 the past to seasons with a total of 31 HR and 113 RBI in 195 games. With four seasons under his belt, Aurora may push him a bit this year - starting at A Ball and moving up to AA and gauge his progress as he will soon be Rule 5 eligible. Once highly regarded prospect Manuel Pagan will also be in camp, but the weak defending infielder's offensive ability has waned in the eyes of scouts and likely will have little future with the organization.

Outfield:
Angel Silva, Stewart Arundale, Gabe Rodriguez and Masamichi Daikawa are all returning this year - and they are joined by Free Agent signee Rocky Kowalski, who becomes a $17M headache this season (his salary declines over each season) as Aurora traditionally carries 5-outfielders and 6-infielders - and that fifth outfielder is 'Matchbox'. Kowalski plays the corners - with a skill set similar to Arundale's, but Aurora's interest in him was his power: He hit 25 HR last year and has averaged 29 over his six full seasons with Kentucky. His presence puts Aurora in a bind they will have to deal with delicately. Do they deal an outfielder (likely Arundale or Rodriguez), demote Masamichi (he hit .280 last year with near identical splits), or do they demote/release/trade an infielder? Meanwhile, Front Range fans will get their first look at 2037 top pick, Hideki Nishikawa, who hit .288 at Mokule'ia and by many scout's opinions, could step into a role this year with the Borealis. Not going to happen, but he may follow Newton on the A-AA train. Declan Ingall will also be getting his first crack at the major league camp after hitting .289 at SLRC - including a horrendously slow start. Long-time minor leaguer Kirk Carr - who's been basically the next in line guy, will also be in camp, and Tony Munoz will be trying to prove his worth - perhaps to another team.

DH: Claudio Hernandez returns fo this last contracted year with Aurora, coming off his best season with the Borealis. He may find himself sharing time with Kowalski this season.

Starting Pitching:
For a second straight season Aurora bring back the same starting rotation: Clark, Cluett, Batista, Gonzales and Guerra; but a rotation that has begun showing cracks - and help is a ways down the Organizational chain. The big questions will be can 'Slug', Cluett and Batista show more consistency this year; Can Gonzales remain injury free and pitch like he did down the stretch last year; and will Guerra build upon what was a solid rookie campaign - despite a rough second half. Organization Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Jung-hyun Yi will be the 6th starter to open up training camp. Expect that Martin Gutierrez will also get a shot at a start or two.

Relief Corps:
Typically Aurora will hold on to a bullpen of 8-arms, as they have tended of late to rely on a strong 'pen for many years. Those 8? Well, 'Machete' and 'Hyena'; Barry Rodriguez and 'Haggis'; 'Werewolf' and Icharia; and 'Chattahoochee' and Howard. That leaves Hyobe Miura - coming off an excellent season at AAA, Kenko Hirose - who also was outstanding at AAA, and Martin Gutierrez - who was terrific at Thornton, but pitched the vast majority of his innings at Aurora - with a mixture of success. It's worth noting Kenko is out of options. Then there is Tekle-Mariam Louahla, a strong, South African reliever (the third in Aurora's system) with a powerful fastball and nifty splitter. He was originally a signee of Amsterdam's and was a NAFTA All-Star this past season, before becoming a minor league free agent and signing with Aurora. He projects to begin the year at Thornton.

[Borealis]

Solid Spring Sets Scene for Hope
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

April 3, 2038: Grand Junction, Colorado – For a second straight season the Borealis will sit on the sidelines for a couple of days - their season and home opener coming Wednesday against Tempe, while the bulk to the SL begin Monday - including Tempe opening at home against the Yumans. So with a pair of off days, the club has decided to remain at their spring training facility here in Grand Junction for a couple of intra-squad games to help the pitchers keep their newly minted their arm strengths up to snuff.

Aurora finished the spring 14-10 - a game better than Palm Springs and Reno, and tied with Crystal Lake for the third best in the SL behind 17-7 Niihama (for the second straight season) and 16-8 Toyama. Of course we all take the results with grains fo salt, but if nothing else it's a promising start for the Borealis - with some very hopeful and promising performances by some of the youngsters that were invited to the Big League camp - and one glaring slow start that for now will make Aurora's life a little easier.

Starters
There was no doubt here - Aurora's rotation was set, if not the opening alignment. Brian Clark and Armando Batista each pitched well in their four outings, posting virtually identical numbers in identical IP - Armando gave up just one more hit and one more walk, while striking out one more hitter than 'Slug' did. Clark will once again get the opening day assignment, while Batista will fill the 3rd slot, separating the two lefties. 'Lanza', Cluett and Gonzales - in the order - performed increasingly poorer. While 'Lanza' posted a 4.40 ERA - allowing 7 R over 14.1 IP, he did strike out 15 and walked only two, which is encouraging. Cluett allowed 10 runs over his 14.1 IP and Gonzales a whopping 17 R in 13 IP, with hitters smacking it at a .377 pace. For those who follow the more esoteric stats - Gonzales posted a 5.89 FIP - ugly still, but perhaps reassuring.

It's worth noting that Martin Gutierrez threw 12.1 innings - including two starts, and posted a 2.19 ERA; he gave up a run in each of the two starts. Aurora's Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2037, Jung-hyun Yi also had two starts, and wasn't as fortunate - giving up 3-runs in 5.1 IP, striking out 4. Gutierrez will begin the year at AAA, but the 23-year old will no doubt be recalled this season. Yi will pitch at AA, starting out as the #1 starter.

Rotation:
Brian Clark, Victorio Guerra, Armando Batista, Henry Cluett, Ramon Gonzales

Bullpen
'Machete', 'Hyena' and B-Rod combined for 33.2 IP, struck out 36 and walked 6 - Rodriguez striking out 15 and walking 3 in his 10-innings of that load. The reduced walk total is particularly hopeful as he struggled after arriving here from San Juan. Also promising was the 0 HRA; then again, he had something to prove. Hector Gutierrez, the two-time Shutdown Reliever (and current)looked to be just doing the work - giving up 5 R, 2 HR and a .327 OAVG - thought he did strikeout 12 and walked 1. The back-end looks strong as expected. Add 'Werewolf' into the mix - 9 IP, 2 R, 2 BB, 10 K, and in typical Aurora fashion, they should have a solid hold on shortening the games through a strong back-four.

The middle reliever corps pitched well - out side Lewis Uige, as 'Haggis' allowed 5 R in 9.2 IP, surrendering 11 H. 'Chattahoochee' Fujii looked improved - not just trimmer, but once again throwing with confidence after a rough 2037. Abay Icharia (1.42, 12 K, 2 BB in 12.2 IP) and Rudy Howard (1.74, 2 R, 2 BB, 8 K in 10.1 IP) both looked in mid-season form.

Tekle-Mariam Louahla, the South African free agent signee was in for 11.1 IP and finished with a 3.18 ERA. He will begin at AAA, as will Carlos Colon (8.2 scoreless innings), Rafael Ruiz (1.29 ERA over 7 IP), and Hyobe Miura 0 a disappointing 5 R over 7 IP - though he did strike out 6 and walk just 2.

Closer: Hector Gutierrez
Setup/Closer: Barry Rodriguez, Yellel Twia and Toshikuni Kichida
Middle Relief: Orinosuke Fujii, Rudy Howard, Abay Icharia, and Lewis Uige

Catcher
No questions here. Pedro de la Cruz hit .278 with a homer for the A Squad and Lan-quing Qing hit .280 with the B Squad. For the start of the year, Aurora will continue platooning at catcher - Pedro v RHP, Qing v LHP, and Lan will take on the late inning defensive replacement job as he did in 2037.

Keith Ruscoe, the 24-year old minor leaguer who will likely be the 'next guy up', if needed, performed well - .267, with 5-2B in 30 AB, and will be at AAA, sharing time with long 'next guy' catcher, Ben Corson, who do to a lack of options, was left to work at the minor league camp.

Infield
This is where things got fun. Sure, Raul Munoz hit .462 with 2-2B, 2-3B and a HR and looks more than ready for Opening Day, but the future at 1B - Mark Newton, hit .464, with 5-2B and a triple - both with 1.000+ OPS. The difference was that Newton did this at shortstop as he has time in his past at short and the Borealis want to see if that could be a viable option. It's unlikely 'Señor Siesta' will become a PEBA-grade short. Taizo Fujii, hit .267 in limited play, but he's back with the Borealis after some time at Okinawa, and will begin the year at AAA, while Newton will skip SLRC and begin the year at AA.

2B Ruben Ortega did not perform well, though he will for now maintain his position - after spending the bulk of the second half plating with Juan Rodriguez - who hit .311 this spring. He will continue to be the rover around the infield. Manny Pagan hit .259, showing some promise above what scouts are predicting these days, but for now he's headed to the DL as the club sorts out it's early minor league rosters.

Jose Aleman may have hit just .258, but his OBP was .333 which led to 5-5 in SB, 15-runs scored and 10 RBI - to go along with 6-2B, a triple and homer. All in all a productive spring. Also productive was salary-driving Francisco Montoya - in the last year of his contract and posting a .450 spring with a team high 9-2B. The shortstop-first player will play behind Aleman, but Jose has shown some troubles with LHP, so there may be an in for Montoya there, as well as backing up Munoz at first.

Three players who call themselves 3B - and two who can play 1B as well, shared time on the corner sack. Incumbent David Simmons played the poorest of the lot - hitting just .167, while Fernando Rodriguez - who spent a good portion of the spring at first, hit .258 with 2-2B,a triple and 2 HR - tying him with 'Matchbox' for the team lead. Getting his first taste of big league camp was Gijsbert Verboven, who is coming off two very successful seasons at Montserrat and Mokule'ia. He hit .243 with 4-2B and a homer. He never was a threat to make the roster, but his progress and fine spring may have him skipping A Ball and beginning the year at Gatineau.

Starters:
1B Raul Munoz, 2B Ruben Ortega, SS Jose Aleman, 3B David Simmons
Reserves:
2B/3B/SS Juan Rodriguez, SS/1B Francisco Montoya

Outfield
For starters, Claudio Hernandez - like Montoya, on a salary-drive, after his best season with Aurora, he followed it up with an outstanding spring: .517, tops on the club, with 5-2B, 2 HR and 15 RBI. The perennial DH will continue in that role and the Borealis will need another 34 HR from him in 2038.

Free Agent Rocky Kowalski had an interesting spring. He hit a bland .256, but posted a not too shabby .797 OPS. For a player who has post an .800+ OPS 4 of the past 5 seasons - and missing out on #5 by .002, he does look like his in-line to match his career numbers. Angel Silva seemed more interested in getting in shape than his numbers - a .254 spring might suggest that for one of the SL's top stars, while incumbents Stewart Arundale (.418, 2-2B, 4-3B and 11 R) was smoking and Gabe Rodriguez had 8-2B, a triple and hit .314 after a slow start. Last year there was a mixture of platooning in the outfield as Arundale and Rodriguez shared time at LF - when G-Rod was not starting in RF. That may continue, particular some with Kowalski, whose career splits lean to the right.

Last years rookie sensation, Mashamichi Daikawa, finished on a sour note - at .226, and in doing so, sealed his fate to starting the year at AAA - while making Aurora's life easier. The signing of Kowalski made an outfield that includes a DH-only player a very tight fit - and with the strong springs (and strong play over the past few seasons) of 'Litterbug' and G-Rod, Aurora had a roster crunch. For now they can take a breath, sigh in relief, and examine the youngsters.

The biggest story of the spring may have been Hideki Nishikawa's first major league camp. The 20th overall pick in last years draft, who hit .288 at Short A, has the scouts excited - who insisted on the invite; they were not disappointed. 'Smitty' hit .387, and was 6-6 on SB. Most of all, he looked very comfortable in the box against major league pitching. Like Newton and Verboven, Nishikawa will jump A Ball and begin the year at AA. Declan Ingall, another first timer at camp, hit .300 in limited AB, and will probably begin at AA as well.

Lastly, Tony Munoz - once a bright star in Aurora's system, has seen the shine fade, and hit only .081 in 37 AB. He will be at AAA, while Kirk Carr, who also hit .300, finds himself out of options and has been designated for assignment.

Starters:
LF Rocky Kowalski, CF Angel Silva, RF Stewart Arundale, and DH Claudio Hernandez

Three Questions
Aurora should continue to play as they have in recent years - a Desert Hills contender. The addition of Kowalski will hopefully add some power to an otherwise frustratingly power-starved offense; and let's be clear - that homer-starved, they hit plenty of doubles and triples, and Three Questions begins with just that:

1. What will Kowalski supply offensively? Was this a smart move on Will Topham's part - a move that cost the club their #1 pick this June? For an offense that has really relied on stringing together hits to put up crooked numbers, Kowalski might be that 'one more bat; that one more hit they so often seem to need.

2. What is their rotation going to provide. The 'Original Three' of Clark, Cluett and Batista began their careers with such fire and success, but the past couple of years have led to concerns about their abilities and consistency. As a rookie, Victorio Guerra started with a bang last year that saw him make the SL All-Star team, but then he faded; will he be the same dynamic arm he's shown in his career - and carry it to the second half? Will Ramon Gonzales, a) remain healthy and b) pitch as he did down the stretch. Any Aurora fan will tell you his spring numbers were scary and a real reason to pause. With a typical Aurora bullpen - strong and deep, Aurora's rotation only needs to get the game to the 6th with a lead to give this club a chance to win.

3. Who is David Simmons? The overall 33rd pick in the 2029 draft was selected with the hope of power, and after showing pop in the minors, he hit 10 HR in a September call-up in '35. His rookie year he hit 19 - the majority after the All-Star break, and then last year - not only did his average drop from .287 to .261, his homers slipped to 9 and his OPS dropped below .800 for the first time in 6-seasons. Aurora can succeed with a .260 average from Simmons, but to truly be successful and compete for the Rodriguez Cup? He needs to get back to his career average on his power numbers.

So there we have it - the Opening Day 2038 roster and who to keep an eye on. The club will be heading back to The Front Range from The Back Range, on Monday morning and come Wednesday it'll be Brian Clark on the mound, squaring off with Tetsui Suzuki - a pair of lefties. 'Bulldog' is a fireballer who will be in his second season with the Apollos, after a 5-4 comparing that featured a 2.86 ERA with 99 K in 97.2 IP.

Play Ball!

[Borealis]

Three's Company Save Opening Week
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

April 12, 2038: Aurora, Colorado – In some respects it wasn't pretty. Sure, Aurora won Opening Day - which has become more an Opening Day tradition, than not, and they finished the week with a positive ledger, at 3-2. They even find themselves in first place - somehow, in a tie with a pair from the Desert Portion of the Desert Hills - Yuma and Tempe - with the Arroyos streaming into Northern Lights to open this week's play. If not for the play of an important threesome who the team will certainly be depending on, the week could have gone south quickly.

Raul Munoz, Rocky Kowalski and Angel Silva led the team in every way imaginable - slash line, extra base hits - presence, they provided a glimpse of what Aurora hopes for all season long - from them. Claudio Hernandez, Stewart Arundale, Ruben Ortega, David Simmons? The polar opposite would be the appropriate phrase. While Munoz hit .450. with 3-2B a homer and 5 RBI; Kowalski hit .368 with 3-2B, a triple and 2 RBI (he did strike out 5-times); and 'Otter' hit .350 with 3-2B, 3-RBI and a perfect 5-5 in the stolen base department, 'Matchbox' hit .200, and the rest of the team (who got on the scoreboard with a hit) were all mired at a buck-67 - Simmons, Ortega (though he homered once), 'Litterbug', de la Cruz; Lan-quing Qing was 0-7 with 3 K.

It would be the starters who did the job of getting Aurora to where they sit today - with four of the five having fine outings, and only 2-year starter Victorio Guerra having the one rough game.

Opening Day had Tempe visiting The Front Range and it was Tetsui Suzuki on the mound for the Apollos while Brian Clark got the opening day nod - but it was Suzuki who would put up a line that Aurora has seen before - walk too many and allow a bomb? That's an L. Clark was sharp in his 6 IP, as he allowed on 3 H and a pair of runs, walking two and striking out eight. After a quiet start to the game, David Simmons singled to start the third for the Borealis, and after moving to second on a FC, Angel Silva would double him home with the first of many big hits for the week. After 'Otter' stole third, and Arundale flew out, Munoz lofted a high, twisting ball down the left field line - opposite field, around the post for a 2-run homer - and Aurora had a 3-run lead.

Speaking of walks, 'Slug' got himself in trouble with his two walks - which followed in succession, John Pulsifer's 1-out single - which set up Guoncallo Caralhas, who would single with 2-out - driving in two, and Tempe had the lead down to one. That would be all Tempe would manage against Clark, as he would get the final 7-outs before departing for Kichida ('Werewolf' allowed a hit and had 3 K), while Suzuki gave way to Felix Rosales, who gave up an RBI single to Munoz in the 7th. 'Machete' would earn his first save in the 9th with a 1-2-3 inning.

Game 2 of the abbreviated series would be the opposite game - balls were flying everywhere as the teams combined for 25 hits and 9 runs - but it was Tempe with the Long Ball on this day, and the former-Win-D who made a statement with his second homer for Tempe. The Apollos got it rolling right out of bed with a Juan Rincon leadoff triple, scored on sac fly and it was quickly 1-0. The Pulsifer hit his homer in the 3rd - a 2-run shot, and when Aurora couldn't take advantage of back to back singles by Aleman and Silva in the bottom of the third, Tempe made it 4-0 in the 5th with a walk and a pair of singles.

Aurora would strike back. In the bottom of the 5th, Aleman led off with a triple followed by an RBI double by Silva - who scored on a double by Munoz - who scored on a 2-out double by Kowalski - and as Tempe did the night before, it was Aurora's turn to cut the lead to 1. Unfortunately that would be it for the Borealis - despite having chances. Meanwhile, Barry Rodriguez would look like the guy they got last year - poor, as he gave up lead off double, and intentional walk - a balk, and a sac fly, while Twia surrendered a homer to Tony Velazquez in the 9th of a 6-3 loss - and a split with Tempe.

It was off to the Central Valley and a series with the Bears - and Armando Batista, in his 7th year on the mound for Aurora, faced off with a fellow Cuban, 22-year old Oliver Flores, making just his fourth big league start - and the wiley old vet would take the day. Batista was sharp over 7 IP - allowing 2-runs on 4-hits - striking out 6 and walking a batter, whereas Flores gave up 9-hits and 4-runs. Aurora struck first - in the third, de la Cruz singled to start the inning, and he scored on a Silva double - who would take third on the play. Angel scored on an infield out, then back-to-back doubles by Munoz and Hernandez (who had three hits on the day) made it 3-0. Ruben Ortega manufactured a run for Aurora in the 4th with a leadoff single, a SB, went to third on a groundout and scored on a groundout - the classic Aurora rally.

Batista was perfect 2-outs into the 4th the he walked Jaramillo and Romano singled - but he got out of the jam. The Bears would break through in the 6th with a leadoff triple by Ellis Nock, who scored on a sac fly, then Kent Roberson tripled in the 7th - scoring on a Dave Hearn single, but with Aurora's 'pen heating up, Batista battled Ikki Nakashima through 5-foul balls before retiring him on a grounder to Simmons to end the 7th and the Cuban left-hander's night. The game would get scary in the 8th, as 'Hyena' came on and had one of his scary innings - loading the bases with 2-outs with a walk and two singles - then hitting a batter to drive in one, then battling Hearn before he finally struck out. Gutierrez came on for another perfect 9th - and his second save, for a 4-3 win.

'Professor Plum' was on the mound for the fourth game of the year, and game 2 of the Bakersfield series, and after a shaky spring, he looked shape - 6 H over 7 IP and no runs allowed, while Derrick Harvey did not fair well, allowing 8 H - but to be fair, his defense didn't do him any favors. Aurora plated two in the first - a leadoff single by Silva and a double by Arundale, but with two outs, and error by Roberson off the bat of Ortega made it 2-0. In the third, a 2-out triple off Kowalski's bat - and I think we will be saying that a lot this year, was followed by another Roberson error off Ortega's bat - Kowalski scored, followed by an RBI single by Simmons - 2-more runs; three of which were unearned, and Aurora led 4-0.

The Bears had chances, in the 1st the had a runner at 3rd and 1-out, in the bottom of the 3rd the had 2nd and 3rd with two outs, in the 6th a runner at second with 2-out, in the 7th they had two on with an out and a runner at third with two out - but in all instances, they couldn't score. Ortega would make it three significant ABs in the game when he homered to lead off the 5th. Aurora would add another unearned run in the 9th, and the Bears saved some face with a two-out double by Hyo-sang Yu - as they managed a single run off 'Haggis' in an embarrassing 7-1 loss.

Ramon Gaznates was on the mound for Aurora - and that was promising, after missing 9-games to injuries and 6-games to rehab assignments last season. Aurora is determined to use kit gloves with their aging soon to be 37-year old pitcher they signed to a free agent contract prior to the '36 season. In his 39 GS for Aurora, he has shown he can be effective if he's healthy. Don't expect a lot of deep starts early on this year. He faced the once dominant Jeff Mendoza, and the former-ace reached into the past and pulled out a gem as he pitched into the 7th with a 3-hitter - shutting out the Borealis - while the Bear's 'pen of Vasquez and Sanchez finished the job. For Gonzales, he gave up two of the three hits he surrendered in the third of his 5+ IP, the second of which was a 2-out RBI single that was all he would give up - and all that would be scored in the game, as Bakersfield would win game 3, salvaging the series with a 1-0 win.

Down on the Farm
Brief notes: Thornton began a surprising 5-2 with Masamichi Daikawa hitting .300 with a 2B and 3B and 3 SB, and FA signee Tekle Louahla - they are already calling him the 'Jackal' as an homage to his fellow countryman Twia, pitching in the closer role, has 3-saves - despite a 3.00 ERA - 3 IP, 4 H, and a HR. Gatineau is 3-4, with a cluster of players having skipped A Ball as the club is interested in seeing them rise to the challenge. Mark Newton is hitting .240 with a homer and 6 RBI, Hideki Nishikawa is hitting .321 with a homer and 4 RBI, Declan Ingall has 4-2B to help him post a .348 average and 'Van Gogh' Verboven is hitting .261, also with 4-2B.

That said, it's early...

What's on Tap
The Borealis will continue with Desert Hills play this week, entertaining the Yumans and welcome a rematch with their old rivals, as the Bears come to Northern Lights. Young-pil Pin will start the series off for Yuma, coming off a 6-inning, 3-hit performance against Tempe on Opening Day. It'll be Clark, Guerra and Batista for Aurora. They'll get a second shot at 'Jetstream' in game 2 of the Bakersfield series as he and Gonzales will square off again. Then Aurora will hope a plane and jet across the Pacific and into the mouth of the tiger with series against Toyama and Okinawa. I need not remind you all, that trans-Pacific trip is always a rough one for Aurora.

[Borealis]

One-Run Games The Theme
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

April 12, 2038: Toyama, Japan – It may only be mid-April, but the pressure is feeling more like mid-September, as the Borealis are in the midst of some toughly contested games. Counting last Sunday's tough loss to Jeff Mendoza and the Bears, Aurora would go on to play 6-consecutive 1-run games - winning four, two in extra-innings. They have played seven overall in their 11-games, and two others have been 2-run games. Taking that into consideration - and the fact that there were plenty of blown leads along the way? 8-3 is a fortunate place to be for a club that was under .500 in 1-run games in 2037.

Let's examine how they managed:

April 12 v. Yuma: This would end up a 3-2 loss to the Arroyos, but not after Angel Silva hit a 2-run homer off Young-pil Pin in the 3rd for a 2-0 lead. Yuma would get a run back in the 4th, and Brian Clarks fine outing would be squashed as a lead-off single in the 7th would chase him and Kichida couldn't quite shut down the Yumans = giving up a 2-run double to Vincent Powell that would be the game winner.

April 13 v. Yuma: Aurora would once again get off to a 2-0 lead and a 5-1 lead with a pair in the 3rd and three in the 4th - Stewart Arundale would hit just his 7th career homer - an opposite field looping liner up onto the 24' wall. Yuma fought back - a 3-run homer in the 6th off Guerra, and after 'Lanza' loaded the bases in the 7th, Barry Rodriguez came in and promptly allowed a bases clearing double to Toki Wada - and suddenly Yuma had erased the deficit for a 7-6 lead. But in the bottom of the 9th, Aurora would rally against Jose Romero - 'Otter' with a leadoff single - and after a steal of third, Silva scored on a Munoz single - who raced around to third on a 'Matchbox' double, setting the stage for a G-Rod sac fly - giving Aurora a come from ahead 8-7 win.

April 14 v. Yuma: In the rubber match of the series, Aurora once more jumped to a lead - saw Yuma come back and lead - only to tie the game - all in the 2nd and 3rd innings. Armando Batista was gone by the 5th, as he was lifted after a single and two K's to start the inning. 'Chattahoochee' Fujii came in and walked the first two batters to load the bases, but young Toki Wada - who already has three times the HR as anyone on the Aurora roster, was too excited and flew out. Both teams had chances - though nothing serious and so it was onto the 10th, where it got interesting for Aurora. Juan Rodriguez singled with 1-out, then Joe Hollins registered his second strikeout of the inning, bringing up Munoz with Rodriguez still at first. J-Rod took off on a 2-0 pitch and beat the throw - that sailed into the outfield - critically allowing him to take third. Critically? Hollins proceeded to strike out Munoz - but the ball got by the catcher! Munoz reached first, Rodriguez scored, and Aurora won, 3-2.

April 16 v. Bakersfield: After blowing early leads in all three games v. Yuma, Aurora thought they try it the other way. The Bears jumped Henry Cluett for 4-runs by the 4th inning, and Jeff Mendoza was cruising for the second straight start against Aurora, giving up just 4 H and a R (Claudio Hernandez' first HR of the year in the 7th) - as the Bears took a 4-1 lead into the B9. Then the game got wild. With 1-out, Hernandez doubled, followed by Qing's first hit of the year. Kowalski flew out for the 2nd out - setting the stage for Ortega, who fouled off 4-pitches then hit it over the head of the outfield for a 2-run double - then Simmons doubled down the line, scoring Ortega to tie the game, sending it to the 10th. Gutierrez came on and couldn't hold it, allowing a run, but Aurora came back to tie on a 2-out Hernandez single. Bernando Romano homered off 'Machete' in the 11th to regain the lead, but in the bottom of the 11th, Kowalski homered to tie it and an out later Simmons homered to win in walk off fashion, 7-6!

April 17 v. Bakersfield: Ramon Gonzales pulled an old trick out of his hat - the first inning homer, this to Mauro Mata as part of a 3-run first, as Aurora fell behind early - and it was 4-1 after the 2nd. Aurora would scratch back with single runs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th to tie the game - scratch really being a defining term here. Rocky would give the Borealis the lead in the 7th with an RBI double, but 'Haggis' would give the Bears the tying run on a WP in the 8th. Aurora would set themselves for their 4th straight walk-off win in the 9th as Kowalski singled, stole 2nd and scored on a Juan Rodriguez single - a 6-5 win.

Aurora would go on to sweep the Bears with a 5-3 win - that was 4-3 until the 8th and Stewart Arundale's 2-out RBI single broke the 1-run streak, but the win to close out the exciting streak gave Aurora a 5-1 week, an 8-3 record, which leads the Desert Hills by 2 games over Tempe and 2.5 over Yuma.

The busy week saw Claudio Hernandez hit .579 with 6-2B and a homer, Juan Rodriguez 7-4, Silva .429, Munoz .375 and Kowalski .368 - all of which overcame the poor weeks of G-Rod (1-17), Ortega (3-18) - though both had clutch moments; de la Cruz was 4-20 and Aleman 4-19. The team as a whole, thanks to some big weeks, hit .306 - and even managed to have an even week with the homers - as they hit and gave up 5.

Down on the Farm
Masamichi Daikawa is playing 'look at me' while Arundale and G-Rod are struggling - hitting .346 with a pair of doubles and a triple. He's already at a 0.8 WAR, while the other two are a combined -0.1... Thornton continues their hot start with another 5-2 week...Down at Gatineau, Mark Newton is holding his own at .263 and his stats at short are on par with Aleman's and Newton has just an error thus far... Hideki Nishikawa is also playing 'look at me', hitting .357, with 3-2B and a homer, and is 7-8 on SB... Verboven is at .298 with a HR and 10 RBI and Ingall is hitting .308... Jung Yi has a 0.73 ERA in 11 IP, as the pitch count started slowly, but he's back up to where he should be - he has 14 K and 3 BB... Gatineau also repeated their week 1 performance, with another 3-4 week... With A Ball starting, names to watch are pitchers: George Anderson, Spencer Williams, RP Huibert Kodde and closer 'Dingo' Massingham.

What's on Tap
A week of sushi, as Aurora travels to Toyama and Okinawa for the first real road trip and first tough week of the season. The Win-D's are off to a hot start - leading the SL, a half game better than Aurora at 9-3 and 8-1 at home. Okinawa is 4th at this early stage, and 5-8 with a tough early intra-division schedule. Javier Aguilera is off to a hot start and Aurora is likely to see FA signee Juan Acosta, the former-F'head in game 1 of the series, and their old teammate, Richard Neely in game 2.

[Borealis]

Escape From Japan Unharmed
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

April 19, 2038: Fargo, North Dakota – Coulda been worse, coulda been better, but when Aurora sails back across the Pacific from a trip to Japan with a split on the trip? That so often feels like a win.

Aurora arrived in Toyama and walked away with two-shut out wins, and a 1-run loss - 'Lanza' and Cluett pitching excellently, with Armando Batista picking up a tough loss. For the young Victorio Guerra, he held the Win-D's to four hits - he also walked four (and struck out four) over 6 IP - one of those classic effectively wild games, with five of those eight base-runners coming in the first two innings. The offensive gave him plenty of support, as in the first a pair of walks, a double ('Matchbox') a triple (Aleman) and two out single (de la Cruz) plated four before Toyama came to bat. Aurora would add some solo runs to make it a final 7-0 win, with 'Chattahoochee' Fujii pitching 3-sscoreless innings - something the still-kinda young reliever desperately needed.

Henry Cluett pitched 8-outstanding innings, allowing 4-hits and 3 BB - while striking out 8. Alfredo Vargas matched 'Professor Plum' nearly pitch for pitch, as he allowed 3 H over 5.2 IP - but walked four, with one crucial HBP - David Simmons with 2-out in the 6th, with the bases loaded. That gave Aurora their lone run - and the lone run in the game as Aurora would take the series 2-1 with the 1-0 win. Sandwiched inbetween was an agonizing 3-2 loss that began with each team scoring a run early, thanks to triples: Stewart Arundale in the 1st and Sadaharu Harada in the 3rd. It stayed 1-1 into the 6th, when Lan-quing Qing homered for Aurora's 2nd run, but Toyama answered with a pair - Kevin Newton with a 2-run double that scored the winning run in the Win-D's lone win.

After an off day it was on to Okinawa with Ramon Gonzales on the mound as he tries to zero in on some rhythm while Aurora keeps a watchful eye on his pitch count - hoping to keep the aging right-hander healthy. Gonzales went just 4.1 IP and allowed a pair of runs - Pablo Ortiz solo homer part of the mix, then 'Haggis' and 'Hyena' followed up with 5.2 IP of hitless ball (Twia getting the win). Juan Acosta was on the mound for the Shisa, and he pitched into the 9th, before a 'Litterbug' single chased him. Shirai Mori promptly walked Munoz before allowing a 2-run double to Qing - tying the game. The game would then suddenly get ugly for Okinawa - 5-singles, 2-walks, back-to-back doubles by Simmons and Aleman and a 3-run homer by Kowalski added up to a 9-run 10th inning making the 11-2 final score more of a laugher than the game really was.

Okinawa returned the favor in game 2, as Clark, Barry Rodriguez and Fujii all had nothing on this day - allowing 4-, 4- and 3-runs respectively in an 11-4 loss to former-teammate, Richard Neely. Neely would pitch a complete game, allowing 9 H - two of which were homers by Ruben Ortega (#2 and #3 on the year. Game 3 was brutal. Those who believe in Karma would suggest it was the universe paying the Borealis back for their 1-0 win over Toyama. On this day, Guerra (6 IP), Kichida (2 IP) and 'Machete' each allowed just 1-hit. The game was scoreless into the B9 and Miguel Zambrano and Ramon Salinas combined on a 7-hit shut-out - and Pedro Rodriguez rewarded them with a walk-off homer to start the bottom of the 9th, giving the Shisa a 1-0 win and the series win, 2-1.

For the week, it was Qing who put up the big numbers, though in only 3 GS - as he was 7-12 with 3-2B and a homer with 5 RBI. Arundale was 8-21 (2-2B, 3B), Kowalski continues to swing a hot bat (7-20, 2B, HR) and Ortega, who aside from the 2-homer game, was 6-18. Not doing so well and off to a really slow week was G-Rod (1-12, and 2-26 on the year), David Simmons (2-18, 2-2B) and rolling off after a quick start was Claudio Hernandez (3-23) and Raul Munoz (4-20). Guerra had a solid two starts - save from 7 BB in 12 IP, but 12-shut out innings is 12-shut out innings - and with just 5-hits allowed. Cluett's fine effort against the club he originally signed with continues to be a thing.

What's on Tap
Aurora will close out the first month of the seasons at Fargo and hosing the Badgers for four-games that will take us into May. The Dinos and Kzoo are nearly identical at this point - both tied for the bottom of the Great Lakes at a respectable 10-9, both are 5-5 in their last 10, and both on a 2-game win streak. Fargo is hitting .244 and Kzoo .241. Fargo get's on base a bit more, the Badgers a bit more pop (21 HR to 16). Fargo's pitchers giving up a higher OAVG, while Kzoo has the higher ERA - allowing 23 HR to Fargo's 16 (kinda balances out). Batista, Cluett and Gonzales will face Fargo, with Clark, Guerra, Batista and Cluett against Kalamazoo. This turn, Aurora will see a former-young IL starter - Bartolo Mojica, formerly of San Antonio.

[Borealis]

April Returns Mostly Favorable
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

May 3, 2038: Yuma, Arizona – At times over the previous 31-seasons of Aurora baseball, April has posed a challenge, yet often would give way to a style of play as fine as the May blooms around the Front Range as spring finally chases winter away. This year, April brought a 15-9 record - a pace for 101-wins, an expectation that very few of those around Northern Lights Park would truly expect.

Still, for a month with Tempe, Toyama, Okinawa, Fargo and Kzoo (a combined 7-6) and 7-2 with Yuma and Bakersfield, it was a month that, if it portends to reflect the 2038 season, could bode well for the Borealis. Then again - sometimes you are only as good as your injuries allow. Or just poor play.

See: Ramon Gonzales and Gabe Rodriguez.

For the 11th time in his 3rd season with Aurora, Ramon Gonzales has fallen to the injury report - this time an elbow strain, much like September of '36, but unlike that injury, this will keep him out likely for 2-3 months, and puts a lot of pressure on the rotation, the bullpen, and possibly one or two names in the farm system who just might get looks in the rotation - Martin Gutierrez or Jung-hyun Yi, the young Korean with the 0.65 ERA in 6 starts for Gatineau. G-Rod has been exceptionally bad - even more so that his traditional slow starts. With a .070 average and an uncharacteristic 9 K in 43 AB, something has to give. With Arundale, Silva and Kowalski all swinging the bat well, and you Masamichi Daikawa screaming for promotion after his strong PEBA debut last year, Aurora is in a bind with their outfield situation.

For now, 'Haggis' is slated to pitch today's opener against Yuma, and it was Daikawa who was called up to replace Gonzales. He was hitting .322 thus far with the Sun Dogs.

For the week, another 4-, 1-run games were added to Aurora's tab - 14 of their 24-games have been of the 1-run variety, the most in the PEBA, and unlike last season where they struggled in those games, Aurora is 9-5 thus far - and 4-0 in extra's; both which came into play this week.

At Fargo, the story was this: Don't grab the early lead- you will lose it. As Aurora did in game 1's 4-3 loss. Aurora scored 2 in the first, thanks to a Qing double and a WP that scored 'Matchbox' with the second run, Armando Batista allowed a pair of solo homers in the 4th to tie the game and a 2-out RBI single in the 4th to give the Dino's the lead. In the 9th, Francisco Montoya hit his first HR in 702 AB since joining Aurora as a FA in 2035 - with 2-outs, tying the game, but 'Hyena' blew the hold.

Game 2 felt eerily similar - Aurora put up a 4-spot to start the game, Rocky Kowalski's 2-run homer a key piece of that, but Cluett served up his own long ball in the bottom of the first, a 2-out, 3-run blast of Claudio Lara's bat. Fargo added 2-more in the 3rd and another in the 4th for a 6-4 lead. Aurora answered with two in the 5th - David Simmons with the tying single - and then... silence... well, score-wise, though both teams had chances as the game turned to extras. Pedro de la Cruz led the 12th off with a double, and after 'Otter' was walked intentionally, Raul Munoz doubled them home, and on this Day, Barry Rodriguez closed the door for the save.

After Aurora scored once more to start game 3, Ramon Gonzales started and looked uneasy. A walk a pair of singles and a wild pitch in the first, and three singles in the second had him leaving the game - shaking his arm as if trying to loosen his elbow, with Fargo up 3-1. Aurora's 'pen was tremendous after the 1.2 IP performance by Gonzales, as Fujii (3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 K), Icharia (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) and Rudy Howard (3 IP, 1 H) kept. Fargo at bay and allowed the Borealis the chance to come back against Sang-tun Kun. Ortega singled, moved to second on a WP and scored after a pair of grounders in the 5th, and in the 6th Kowalski, Ortega and Simmons followed a walk to Hernandez to plate a pair and give Aurora a 4-3 win, and a series win.

Kalamazoo jumped on Brian Clark for three in the third on back-to-back homers by Bradford and Aguilar. Aurora had doubles in the 6th, 8th and 9th innings, and could not get on the board. John Ross was masterful over his 6-inning start, dropping his ERA to 1.99 - 5th in the SL. 'Lanza' took the mound in game 2 and continued his strong pitching - after a rough first two starts, he held the Badgers to 4 H and a run (an Ornelza HR) over 7.2 IP - giving him 1-run allowed over his last three starts - 19.2 IP - in games against Toyama, Okinawa and Kalamazoo. A Simmons double in the 5th tied it and Kowalski with a solo homer in the 7th gave Aurora a lead they would not relinquish. Guerra picked up his 2nd win, and dropped his once awful ERA to 3.45 in a battle of young 24-year old starters, out dueling Bartolo Mojica, who Kzoo recently acquired from San Antonio.

Game 3 brought May to fold, Batista and Twia continued having troubles keeping the ball in the park - each allowing 3-run homers in the only two innings that the Badgers scored in - Francisco Rodriguez homer in the 3rd, and Ornelza on the 8th. In-between, Aurora had a pair of their own - de la Cruz hitting his first and Silva his second, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Badgers' blasts. Henry Cluett would somehow manage to pick up the win in game 4 - giving Aurora a much needed split - and he allowed a homer amongst his 7-hits allowed - the 5th game in the week's 7 that an Aurora starter gave up a gopher ball. But Aurora was efficient with their 11-hits on the day - just two being XBH; Aleman with a 2-out, 2-run double in the first and 'Matchbox' with 2-run homer in the 7th that would give Aurora a 5-4 win. Cluett upped his record to 3-0, despite a 4.02 ERA. 'Machete' picked up his 6th save.

What's on Tap
Back on the road for four against the Yumans - with Aurora expected to miss Pin's turn, and then home for their 2nd turn with Tempe, who had been struggling, but comes off a series sweep of Neo-Tokyo; previous to that, the Apollos had lost four straight series - including a sweep to Duluth. It is also worth keeping an eye on Reno, who after a 5-1 week, picked up a game-and-a-half on Aurora and trail by a half-game - it is, after all an even year. The Zephyrs host Palm Springs for four, before heading to Bakersfield for a 3-game set. They opened the season with a 2-game split with the Bears and won an early series, 2-1, over the Codgers.

[Borealis]

Aurora Waves Adios to G-Rod
Ray D. Enzé, NLN baseball blogger

May 3, 2038: Yuma, Arizona – Shortly after my morning blog, and prior to the afternoons batting practice at the giant Salt Lick, Aurora announced a major shake-up in the team's outfield.

GM Will Topham informed the quick, impromptu gathering of the press outside the Aurora clubhouse that the club has parted ways with outfielder Gabriel Rodriguez - sending him to Arlington, in exchange for the Bureaucrat's 2nd round draft pick in this years draft and 19-year old shortstop Frank 'Barbed Wire' Trembath - who was a scouting discovery out of London, England.

"We will be very sorry to see Gabe leave us," Topham began "but sometimes we get reminded that baseball is a business, and this is simply one of those moments. We sincerely wish Gabe the best of luck with Arlington. Reunited with a healthy Shane Willis and a young Reggie Raines, hopefully he can have a productive year."

G-Rod was a supplemental pick - 32nd overall - in the 2030 draft, out of UAB, and after shooting upward through the minors, made his PEBA debut in 2033 - and instantly became a fan favorite. After hitting .332 with 46-2B in 2036 and .281 with 45-2B last year (after a horrendous start), he began 2038 mired in an awful slump - 3-43, no extra-base hits and a lone RBI; he also struck out 9 times, walked none, and with the strong play of Silva, Arundale and Kowalski - he quickly found himself on the bench - and with him the lone back-up to 'Otter' in CF - and a poor option at that, Aurora's eyes turned to Thornton, where Masamichi Daikawa was hitting .322, was 16-19 on SB, and a much better option in CF than G-Rod.

Aurora took advantage of some exploratory talks between the two clubs to drop Rodriguez' name and after mild haggling, a deal was made. "We were disappointed to lose our first round pick with the Kowalski signing, but for now that looks like an excellent trade off (Kowalski is hitting .350, with 6-2B, a 3B, 4 HR and 11 RBI. He has a .411 OBP). After losing our 2nd to San Juan (the B-Rod trade), we are happy to now have a pair in the second round (New Orleans in the Castanieda deal)." Castanieda is hitting .365 with Crystal Lake - this might be a different story if Aurora had been able to sign him and Kowalski.

As for Trembath, he was a mixed bag at Cairo the past two seasons - and at 19-years, perhaps he had been called up too soon. Last year he hit .202, but he did post an OPS of .565, which isn't too bad considering the average. He hit 10-2B, 2-3B and 4 HR for a Pharaohs club that finished dead last in the Red Sea League. Hopefully, going from last to a championship club in Montserrat will spark his play. The scouts all agree - he is raw, but he has great speed - he stole 42-bases last year in 54-attempts, has above average skills defensively - and can even play a decent outfield in a pinch. He will get plenty of AB this year with the Mystique and will play mostly 2B and short.

So with that, it is the end of an era, of sorts. Aurora knew this day was to coming; Rocky's arrival made it so, it's just many had not anticipated G-Rod becoming the odd man out. Perhaps, in the end, for a club that struggles to hit the long ball, Daikawa's arrival signals better scoring chances with his speed. Time will tell, but it's a shame the fans on The Front Range didn't get a chance to say good bye to one of their favorites.