Vegas makes power play

Wow, after a nice 11-game winning streak, Vancouver dropped two of three to 13th place New Jersey. Both losses were extra-inning affairs. Yesterday the Fist sent Jake Peavy out to try to expand on his DMBL wins lead, but he ended up with a no-decision despite only giving up 2 runs. Once again, Fist manager Darren Daulton left a reliever in too long, this time Hideki Okajima was in his fourth(!) inning of relief and gave up a solo home run to Josh Fields. Vancouver heads over to Newark today to start a three-game set with the Hanover Division leaders.

It looked like Newark suffered a big hit after they lost two of their rotation members - first James Shields, and now Randy Johnson. Joe Saunders has done an admirable job so far (2-1, 2.91 in 3 starts), but no one expected much out of Johnson's replacement, David Bush. Bush had been a full-time member of the Sugar Bears before last year where he only made one disastrous start. But the Sugar Bears are nothing if not loyal, even to their scrubs. And Bush repaid that loyalty in spades with a complete-game, 4-hit shutout of the Hitmen. Bush struck out 10 batters in only his second career complete game (and first since 2005). Bush's next turn in the rotation would be Sunday against D.C., however Shields is expected to return from the disabled list that day. Will Butch Garretson tempt fate and start Bush against the Bushslappers?

Vegas pulled off the blockbuster trade of the season so far, acquiring slugger Vladimir Guerrero from Blue Ridge for Hunter Pence, Jeremy Hermida, Gavin Floyd and a draft pick. Guerrero had spent his entire 10-year career for the same franchise, through 3 different owners and 5 different name changes. Guerrero has continued to put up big numbers this season (.329/.371/.534, 19 HR, 71 RBI) and was a backup on this year's All-Star team. Hunter Pence was only briefly a member of the Rat Pack - he was acquired June 23 from the Hoboken Cutters, but was useless for the Rat Pack (.208/.240/.333). Hermida was a solid player for the Rats and Floyd was in AAA.