[stevem810]

Anse d'Arlet outscored Paris in the three game set but it was the Artists who came away with the two games to one advantage. For the Sting Rays they lost a tough opener 1-0 in 10 innings in spite of out hitting the Artists seven to three. Seldom used Josh Abbott lofted a SF in the 10th for his 2nd rbi of the season making a winner of Thomas Dupin (1-0). The Sting Rays out hit the Artists in all three games. A tough break, yet the team still owns a 4 game lead in Martinique.

The middle game was a close contest until the Sting Rays broke it wide open in the 8th with 4 runs, most of them after two were out. Julien Henri took another loss (2-6) after going 8 innings. SP Coleman MaClean was practically unhittable until gave up a 2 run homer to Michel in the 9th. By then it didn't matter as MacLean is now 2-6 with a 3.64 ERA/ 3.56 FIP.

The Artists hung on to win the final game getting two stellar innings of relief from Ochoa and Gallet. They preserved the win for Sam Smith.

Julien has had mixed results on the mound and is the only starter with a losing record. He's also scuffling at the dish with an 0 for 12 streak going. Said, Henri, "I am not concerned. We're winning games, we have the best record, and all ball players go through streaks, good and bad. It's a long season and I'll try and relax and not force it next game. But, hey, we're playing pretty good ball, don't you think?"

The maturity in Henri is certainly one of the intangibles that allow him to set the example for younger players. "He knows how to steady the ship, that is for sure", quipped his bench coach Joel Meyer.

In other news Nice is falling further behind Paris and is now tied with Marseille for second place, Losing 7 in a row can do that to your team.