Report by the Armada’s Josh Feldman

The Long Beach Armada will showcase its two marquee pitchers this weekend in back-to-back starts against the Yuma Scorpions at Desert Sun Stadium.  Former NL All-Star Jose Lima and two-time World Series Champion Hideki Irabu will take the mound on June 4 and June 5, respectively, as the Long Beach Armada (5-5) plays its first series in the United States after beginning the year with a 10-game road trip in Canada.

Jose Lima has posted two 8-inning outings for the Fleet in two starts this season.  The former Tiger, Astro, Royal, Dodger and Met has taken a leadership role on the team after the first 10 games, working with younger players and keeping the energy in the clubhouse loose.  Hideki Irabu will join the team and make his first start of the season for Long Beach this weekend. 

The Armada opens at home on Friday, June 12 at Blair Field against the Yuma Scorpions next week.  Jose Lima is scheduled to start the home opener, which is also feature magnet schedule and noisemaker giveaways presented by DirectBuy and St. Mary Medical Center.  Tickets are available by contacting the team office at (562) 427-4487.