The Backups Have Come to the Forefront This Season

Some of Trenton's big-name players have struggled at times this season, so a few players on the Traffic bench who weren't expected to contribute much found themselves taking on much bigger roles.

Deivi Sierra has been the defensive catcher in Trenton since the inception of the team. In 8 seasons with the team, he's logged more than 225 at-bats in a ML season once. He took over the starting role for a while earlier in the season when mainstay Vasco Lopez struggled, hitting under .200. Sierra provided a little punch and, as always, handled the pitching staff very well. Once Lopez started hitting again, he quietly went back to the bench, filling in as needed. "I know my role here", said Sierra. "The organization has been good to me- I have no complaints. Would I like to start? Sure, anyone would. But I'm happy here in Trenton".

SS Shawn Butler is the reigning Gold Glove shortstop in the NL. He's currently playing centerfield in AAA. Last season he hit .240 with 13 HRs and 53 RBI, and the organization determined that was enough offense, given his great defensive ability. But when the quarter pole of the season came and Butler was hitting .165 with an embarrassing .455 OPS, Trenton knew it was time for a change. They turned to Pascual Morales, who was not given arbitation by division rival Norfolk and subsequently released, then had to wait until after Trenton completed spring-training to be offered a contract. "Yeah, I wasn't sure what was going to happen", said Morales. "I thought I might have to go back to the Dominican and figure something out. " Morales is hitting .237 and his OPS is .150 higher than Butler; his defense not quite Gold Glove caliber, but he's been solid.

The left field position has been unsettled all season. After Bob King was traded to Houston in the Jason Sprague deal, Trenton plugged Magglio Perez into left field to start the season. However, he had to move to right field due to 3B Enrique Park's struggles (MVP candidate Calvin Chang moved to 3B from right field), making way for the recently acquired Bob Koplove. But Koplove failed to hit as well, so gm gumbercules turned to a player who had been signed to come off the bench in veteran Rico Valdes. Valdes immediately solidified both the LF and the leadoff positions- he's hitting .327 with a .403 on-base percentage and has all 30 of the team's stolen bases.

"I'm pleased to see all three of these guys do well", said gm gumbercules. "We needed them to step up at various times during the season, and we're pleased with what we have". They've needed every bit of their production as they try to keep pace with Atlanta and Washington D.C. in a highly competitive NL East.

Dunwoody wins 20, award

Trenton ace David Dunwoody won his 20th game of the season yesterday, winning a 1-0 decision at Kansas City. Dunwoody pitched the entire game, yielding only 4 hits and walking one while striking out 10. He is 20-3 with a 1.85 ERA and is considered to be the favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award at this point. Dunwoody also won his second ML Pitcher of the Week Award of the season, having already won it at the beginning of the season.

With 40 games to go, Trenton still in the Playoff Race

Trenton has hit a season-high 20 games over .500 (71-51) with last night's 2-0 win over Vancouver. They seem to have hit their stride lately, with a 22-8 record since the All-Star break. They've passed Washington for second place in the East and are only 3 back of Atlanta. "It was a rough start", said ace starter David Dunwoody, whose Cy Young caliber season has helped keep Trenton in the race throughout. "But things have settled down and we feel like we're playing our best baseball of the season right now."

All-Star team named

Three Traffic players were named to the 8th All-Star Game on the NL team: SP David Dunwoody, CF Watty Miller, and RF/3B Calvin Chang. Dunwoody is making his 7th All-Star appearance, all in the NL but his first with Trenton (the previous 6 appearances were in Salem). He's 11-2 with a 1.89 ERA. Miller is making his second consecutive All-Star appearance for the team- he's hitting .331 with 10 HRs and 41 RBI. Chang will go to the Mid-Summer classic for the 6th time, his first time as a member of the Traffic (previous 5 with San Juan). He's hitting .343 with 18 HRs and 53 RBI in his first season in Trenton.

1st round pick signs

1B Jack Millard, the Traffic's first round pick, has agreed to terms with the team. "We're happy to have Millard sign", said general manager gumbercules. "We think he's a potential middle of the order type guy who should be a great all-around hitter. He's going to need time in the minors, but I think we got a great pick at #29. Four first round picks, including #2 overall pick SS Vic Olivares (San Juan), remain unsigned.

Dunwoody First to 10

David Dunwoody picked up his 10th win of the season tonight against New Orleans, becoming the first pitcher in either league to do so. Dunwoody went 8 innings, giving up only 1 run on 6 hits- he walked 2 and struck out 8 in a 7-1 Traffic win. He is 10-1 in 12 starts this season with a remarkable 1.69 ERA.

Bob Koplove comes to Trenton

The Trenton Traffic pulled off a major deal with Houston recently, landing LF Bob Koplove. Koplove is tied for the all-time lead in homers with 386 (tied with Osvaldo Johnson). Houston received prospects in OF Butch Russell, SP Cookie Cortes, and 1B John Okajima. Koplove has replaced the struggling Enrique Park in the starting lineup, which could signal Park's departure. Koplove has yet to hit a homer in 4 games with Trenton.