Early season excitement in Phoenix
By George Shattuck
March 14, 2010
Phoenix, AZ - If you were to ask anyone in the Phoenix front office, they would tell you they are pleasantly surprised by the 19-12 1st place Dry Heat. Leading the SL Ruth Expansion Division, they are giving their fans a reason to come out to Burns Stadium. The reasons for their fast start are, 1) a good solid offensive team that is hitting .290 and has scored 197 runs (both 5th in the SL) Led by G.Rios (.356) and R.Miller (12HR & 35 RBI). 2) a bullpen that has been spetacular up to this point with a 2.85 era (2nd in SL) and 3) SP Pedro Arteaga, who missed spring training with injuries and got off to a slow start (0-2 9.64 in his first 3 games) but has been an Ace since (4-0 2.38 in his last 4 starts)
Unfortunately the rest of the starting pitchers seem to throw one decent game and then a poor game on their next time out. 2B has also been an issue, but in 2 weeks when SS Carlos Rivera comes off the disabled list, that wll be solved by moving Rios back to 2B.
Phoenix has enjoyed the early season success, but will need better starting pitching, and continued good health to continue, knowing other teams will go on hot streaks over the long regular season. But at least for now, it's exciting to be a Phoenix fanatic!!!
