Fist's fireworks too much for Rats

Vancouver had a great Independence Day weekend, sweeping the Rat Pack in their 3-game series. The Fist only surrendered 5 total runs in the series, while scoring 20. Vancouver is in the midst of a 7-game winning streak. The Rats, who were tied for first place before the series, only lost one game in the standings because the Sugar Bears dropped two of three to the visiting Endzone Animals. The Animals would have swept the series if they didn't give up 5 runs in the final frame to hand the Sugar Bears the win in game one. Fortunately, the bullpen held their own in the next two games and the Animals were able to win 7-5 and 10-5 respectively. The losses gave the Sugar Bears their 9th and 10th losses at home.

Carolina swept the Tampa Bay Plunkers over the weekend, hurting the fledgling franchise's playoff aspirations. The Plunkers fell to 10 games under .500 and lost their 7th in a row. Although they are only 4 1/2 games and in 7th place overall (tied with Blue Ridge), the Plunkers look like a team on the way down. To add injury to insult, shortstop Jack Wilson will be lost for the better part of the next month.

Only a few weeks until the trade deadline! Sunday July 20th is the last chance to make deals or to pick up players who will be eligible for protection in 2009.