The Gloucester Fishermen have a big week coming up.  With fourteen games remaining in the last two weeks of the season, the Fishermen find themselves 4 and a half games behind the [url=http://www.pebabaseball.com/reports/news/html/teams/team_78.html]Connecticut Nutmeggers[/url] and 5 games behind the [url=http://www.pebabaseball.com/reports/news/html/teams/team_86.html]Kentucky Thoroughbreds[/url] for the two Wild Card playoff spots.  After tonight’s game at [url=http://www.pebabaseball.com/reports/news/html/teams/team_83.htmlCharleston]Gloucester[/url], must face both teams in a three game series each, first at Kentucky, then after a rare day off, home against Connecticut.  At a press conference after last night’s loss Gloucester manager, Peter Farrell,  manager gave some candid comments about the upcoming weeks and the season overall.

“Yes, it is a big week.  No question.  We probably need to go five and two or more likely six and one in those games before we head off to New Jersey for the last week of the season.  And we might not be able to afford a single loss against Connecticut.  This is certainly our goal, but you guys know the old cliché.  In fact, I’ll give you a minute and you can probably tell me.”  Pointing to a member of the press who was heard saying ‘take it one game at a time,’ Ferrell showed off his good humor, pointed to the reporter and gave a quick laugh,  “That’s right.  Give that young lady a feature column.  She obviously knows the business.”

Regarding the early exit of starting pitcher, [url=http://www.pebabaseball.com/reports/news/html/players/player_3342.html]Chris Graves[/url], from Sunday’s game;  “We yanked Graves tonight because he was in obvious and considerable pain.  The good news is that it isn’t an elbow, shoulder, or wrist.  Soon we will know if we need to ice him for a day or the rest of the season.  Graves is still scheduled to start the first game against the Nutmeggers this week.  If that changes, then we will have to rethink it when we have more information. ”  After a pause and in inaudible question from the back of the room. “Oh yes, it has been very frustrating.  I don’t think any other team has been hit as hard by the injury bug as the Fishermen this year.  We have three good [pitchers] on the DL right now that we are not getting back before the season’s end.  We have not been a fully functional team all year long, but it is something we have gotten used to.  And, the good news is that everybody is doing their jobs right now, and we are winning.  What?  “[url=http://www.pebabaseball.com/reports/news/html/teams/team_89.html]Canton[/url]” [Longshoremen] has been hit harder?  You mean they have had more injuries?  Dang.  The PEBA gods must not like fish this year.”

After the laughter died down a bit, Ferrell concluded, “Seriously.  Injuries have been more than typical around here this year.  I’m sure if you tell me Canton has had a tougher go of it, then you are probably right.  You know we haven’t had so much as a five game winning streak all year.  Nor have we had a five game losing streak.  But we have our team playing well right now.  We are playing as good as we have all season.  Injuries or no injuries, we have to move forward this week and play every game like a one-game playoff.  We have been playing .667 ball for last month and a half, but Connecticut is hotter than that right now.  It is going to be a battle.  Hopefully, we can put something together.  Maybe we can get a little miracle. ”

Shortly after the interview, pitcher Chris Graves was put on the 14-Day Disabled List.