NALB - June 2019

K. Fields
2020-08-16T17:44:47-04:00
Baseball

The Brooklyn Knights finally started to look like world champions again. Brooklyn's 21-7 record for the month was highlighted by a four game sweep of the Beasts at home. After a red hot May, the Luisville Beasts cooled off a bit in June. Their 18 game winning streak ended on June 2 and the Beasts went on to compile a 15-12 June record. They still hold a healthy lead over the second place Dunedin Otters. The Stade Maples clawed their way from the cellar to take over the League 2 Division 1 lead. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Wild's lead over the Richmond Slam dwindled from five games to two.

There were some notable injuries in June. Shoulder inflammation ended the season for Sky Chiefs' starter Milton Mann. Quebeck also sent left fielder Bruno Payton to the Injured List for a projected 6 weeks. The Otters' third baseman Pete Chavez injured his hamstring, which will cause him to miss 3 to 4 weeks. Center fielder Miguel Gaytán sprained his knee and will miss 4 to 5 weeks. Key West Corals' closer Thornton Peters was diagnosed with radial nerve compression and will miss 5 months. The Luisville Beasts were derailed somewhat by June injuries: RP Paul Thompson (bone chips in his elbow, 6 months), RP Roberto Farinas (torn flexor tendon in his elbow, 14-15 months), and SP Anastasio Urbáez (elbow inflammation, 3 months).

The Brooklyn Knights did not escape June without injuries. Third baseman Alberto Pescador was diagnosed with a strained medial collateral ligament and will miss 5 weeks. The biggest blow came on June 29 in a loss to the Cornfield Axemen. Team captain and future Hall of Famer Hooks Goetz fractured his knee and will miss the rest of the season. The durable NALB legend has been a fixture of the Knights' organization for 17 seasons. The 38 year old was in the last year of his contract.

June 2019 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Tony Rodarte (Nashville Firecats)
Pitcher of the Month: Rey Alvarado (Dayton Grizzlies)
Rookie of the Month: Estevan Portillo (Brooklyn Knights)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Marc-André Lavoie (Richmond Slam)
Pitcher of the Month: Berto Sarzoza (Stade Maples)
Rookie of the Month: Don Vowles (Richmond Slam)