Clay Morris win against former team.

It's an happy Morris who meet the journalist after a good showing against Mile High.  The veterant starter gave only 2 runs in 7 innings.  He admit that some money was put on the table in case of a victory against former team.  "I want this victory so bad, it's always a pleasure to show that your former team may have made a mistake to let you go".  The box score of this game is just below.
http://www.usfleagues.net/abl/reports/box_scores/game_box_1852.html

The Jokers play better since they're back home; going 8-2 in the last 10.  This confirm their first place of the division and let coach Mcghee rest some players before starting the playoff.  The coach confirm that Phillip Smith is now the regular catcher, supplanting Ronnie Wells.  "Smith is the biggest surprise of the year, we didn't expect that he would develop as fast" said coach McGhee.

So, the Jokers are now near the end of season.  Maurice Gould will have only one start to reach the 20 wins.  Coach McGhee confirm that he will pitch against Kansas City and will not be back against Eureka, whatever happen in the K-C game.  But, the way Gould pitched in september and the fact that Las Vegas played very well this season against K-C, we think that he will reach the 20. 

Gould, a Joker for 4 more years

The press conference confirmed the good news, Maurice Gould signed a 4 years extension.  At only 10,500,000$, we can say that it's an excellent deal for the club.  A member of the organisation told us that at first, Gould asked for 16,17,18,18 and 20M, a little bit too pricey for a player who have one more year in arbitration.  So there was a long discussion between the player and the management and finally, they agree to a deal that satisfy both side.  Gould knew that he accepted a bit less but he really want to continue here in Vegas. "The team really want to win and treat their players like a familly member.  I trust mister Angelil (the owner) when he say that he want to build something strong here, and Las Vegas is a really good place to play."  The management really want a long term contract with their ace and now that is done, we need to concentrate at making the playoff.

Because the team performance is a bit irregular theses last weeks.  After loosing their last 4 games in august and play only .500 in september.  They saw their lead melt from 9.5 games to only 6.  So the next week is important to regain a bit of this lead and be able to rest some key players in the last week of the season. 

Phillip Smith: a pleasant surprise

At the end of the month of august, the Jokers have a 8.5 leads over their closest opponent in the Sparky Anderson division.  The team are starting to win more regularly with the return of Colin St.John in the lineup.  But, quietly, there's a youngster who start to shine more quickly then expected: Phillip Smith.  This 24 years old catcher starting to battle with Ronnie Wells for more playing time, and when we look at the numbers, we just can be happy with the production of Smith.  A .330 average with 6 hr and 18 rbi in only 30 games.  All scouts agree, his full potential is not achieve so he'll get better with more experience behind the plate.  Right now, he's playing each 3 games instead of one each six or seven.  He's one of the better Las Vegas hitter in august, so he may push Wells elsewhere at the end of the season.  GM, Francois Neveu told us that Smith was one of the players in demand at trade deadline.  Sometimes, the best deal are the one you refuse!

Others little notes

Clay Morris finally won his first game as a Jokers.  A magnificent gem, no run in 8 innings.  Morris said it was a relief to finally display a good showing.

Troy Tracy is on his way back from injury.  Maybe a week or two and he'll be able to play.

Some rumors says that Maurice Gould and Jokers management are in serious talk to keep the ace 4 years in Vegas.  Both sides seems near an agrement.