.542 ~ Tell me it ain't so!

The local nines lost last night, 13-8.

The Scorpions have played 24 games to date (as I type this pre-game Monday 7/2). Let's take a look at the first 12 games of the season and compare them to the last 12 games. Sound like fun? Believe me, it's not as glamorous as it sounds. I've been crunching the numbers and I actually had to fix myself a drink to calm my nerves, and then hop in the pool to cool off in order to continue. Unbelievable.

First 12 games (11-1, .916). 11 home games, 1 road game. Nicely done.

Last 12 games (2-10, .200). 0 home games, 12 road games. Not so much.

The club currently stands at 13-11, .542 and fourth in the standings. I believe we can all agree that the local boys' first 12 games were much more enjoyable than the past twelve. The first twelve particularly more so because we were able to watch the majority of those games at home. It's been total misery to have them on the road, losing, as we listen from afar. I've done my fair share of hollering at the radio, but I don't think - correct me if I'm wrong - the technology is yet available that will allow the players to actually hear me hollering.

What is the cause of this meltdown? Pitching? Bad defense? An offensive slump? Road woes?

Pitching. Frankly, I think the pitching could use a bit of work. If you've been reading this blog for any length of time you all know that I am firm in my belief that baseball is a game of pitching (and that is why this paragraph is so much longer than those of bad defense, offensive slump and road woes). Shut down the opponent's offense (while keeping the errors to an absolute minimum, or less) and the win will come. I'm not going to rehash a whole bunch of club's stats here - y'all can check the team and player stats here at Howe Sports Data - because it's about 114 degrees and I want to hop in the pool again. The Scorps (if Howe's is current and accurate) has several Yuma pitchers with an ERA of right around 3.50 or below; these are the players that simply must maintain (or improve) and come through. An ERA above 4.00, in my opinion, is not acceptable, at any level of baseball. As my buddy Steve said here, "...all those runs you put up really don't mean anything if your pitcher can't keep the other team from putting them up."

Bad Defense. If the pitcher is going to give it up then the defense had better step up and make the plays (again, with few or no errors). No excuses. Errors will kill you every. single. time.

An Offensive Slump. If the pitching and the defense cannot get it done this is where the offense steps in. The Yuma bats have been fairly quiet lately. Granted, they have been putting runs on the board, but not as many as their opponents, so obviously they aren't going to have a W in the W-L column in the morning newspaper.

Road Woes. Yep, it sure stinks to have the boys gone. And I'm sure they'd much rather be playing in front of the hometown crowd (much more so since this road trip began kicking their collective arses). But I'm pretty sure that all of the players on the Yuma team didn't fall off of the hay wagon yesterday to begin playing baseball. They've been playing ball long enough to have traveled - high school, summer teams, tournament teams, some college ball, etc. - so they know the drill. Mind over matter.

The first 12 games of the season the Scorps outscored their opponents 113-55. A greater than 2-1 ratio. The last 12 games the Scorps have been outscored 77-42. Clearly, the club has not given up that many more runs to the opponent (22) through the second twelve games, but offensively their numbers have taken a dive - from scoring 113 runs dropping to 42 runs (a diff of 71).

Somethin's gotta give! Soon! I'm feeling some stress here.

I'm signing off. The pool is beckoning. But, oh, I did listen to the game last evening and, you know it, we lost. And I'm going to listen tonight too (if my friends will let me). It's getting to be a challenge with me! Do I dare show my face at the ballpark Wednesday? Seriously, I think I'm the jinx (not to be confused with minx.)

Good night.