Finding Way To Lose

Box, Wrap

Box, Wrap, Herald-Sun

Season: 43-53; Trip: 1-6; Bulls v. Knights: 4-11

Box, Wrap

That’s a tough set of losses. The Bulls have now lost six in a row and I can’t even blame Tampa Bay for it, because these last several games have been a time of unusual stability in the Bulls lineup. Yes, there was the odd three days in Lawrenceville, Georgia; a break; and then four games against the Charlotte Knights. But to go 0 or 8 so far this year at Fort Mill, that’s just pitiful. To lose a game in the bottom of the 9th inning on two walks and two hit batters, as Dane De La Rosa did on Saturday is worse than pitiful. 

Just listening to the games does not give us enough insight to make any real judgements. Yes the Knights are a good team, but the hope we were feeling at the end of the last home stand is fading fast.

The Bulls start off Monday with a four-game series against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. The Bulls split four games against them last month in their house. Maybe they can do that again at the DBAP.

Outside the Game 

• Sam Fuld, a Rays outfielder, may be showing up in a rehab assignment this week. Back in early 2011, the Rays made a big trade with the Cubs, giving up pitcher Matt Garza and Bulls outfielder Fernando Perez for outfielders Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer, pitcher Chris Archer, infielder Hak-Ju Lee, and catcher Robinson Chirinos. Of this bunch, only Fuld and Lee have not played with the Bulls. Fuld had a decent year platooning with the Rays in 2011 and Lee has been working his way up through the system (now in AA). This year Fuld, Guyer, and Chirinos went on the DL for various reasons and it looks like Fuld is the only one who will be coming off. With Fuld doing his rehab and maybe Lee showing up by the end of the year, all of the Garza trade guys will have been in Bulls' uniforms.
• Remember Justin Ruggiano? He seems to have blossomed in Miami. In 35 games he’s got a spectacular OPS of 1.169.