[Muskies]

Record: 53-46, .535, 13 GB
Position: 3rd (behind Tampa & Columbus) (5th in the WC, 4 GB)
Avg.: .255 (7th in NL)
Runs Scored: 457 (8th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 409 (4th in NL)
Defense: .721 (2nd in NL)
Fan Interest: 100
Power Ranking: 95.4 (16th)

• Last Week: (3-3) 1-2 vs Tampa, 3-2 vs. Austin
• 7/12: TAM 4, MAD 1: Wilder 8 IP, 8H, 1 ER, 6K, 2 HR, L (3-6, 3.13)
• 2 errors by Wilder resulted in three runs for Tampa, pitched a complete game to give the bullpen a rest.
• Tampa catcher Manuel Ainjos ejected in the second inning for arguing a call.
• Tampa starting pitcher was injured in the bottom of the second and had to leave the game, ended up being back tightness that will keep him out for about a week.
• 7/13: MAD 10, TAM 3: Aquino 7.2 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 5K, @ (12-3, 2.35)
• Chamings 3-3, 3 R, 4 RBI, HR
• 7/14: TAM 6, MAD 0: Campbell 5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2K, L (6-5, 3.92)
• 7/16: MAD 5, AUS 2: Juarez 7 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K, W (4-8, 4.64)
• 7/17: MAD 5, AUS 4: Higgins 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, ND
• Shaffer knocked in Nishikawa in the bottom of the ninth for the win.
• Snow (7-1, 2.89) earned the win in 2.1 relief innings
• 7/18: AUS 2, MAD 0: Baca 7 IP, 6 H, 2 B, 2 K, L (1-1, 2.66)
• Baca earned the win in a spot start to get the rotation back in order, the only two runs allowed were due to errors by Hansen and Martinez, unfortunately we were held to one hit
• Next Week: 3 @ San Francisco (52-47), 3 vs. Jacksonville (47-52), 1 @ Washington (57-42)

Tampa made it pretty clear that they are the top dog in the NL Central. At this point it looks like we will probably be holding tight come the trade deadline. I don’t want to unload any prospects or players that remain, under team control.

Dodged a bullet on the Valentin deal, he is out for at least two weeks with shoulder tendinitis.

Just when I started to get Mr. Stuart back in my good graces, we turn around and go 3-3 and slide back to the 5th in the Wild Card race..

I received another call from John Snow’s agent emphasizing his role as the closer. Snow is having a nice season for the Mallards (6-1, 3.05, 2SV, 9 HLDS). He is not a long-term solution as a closer, he can step in if Howell gets hurt or needs more rest. This is a second time that this has been brought up, I am a little concerned that he could become disruptive in the clubhouse.


Players of the Week
NL – Brian Newman (DET) – 12-29, 3 HR, 6 RBI
AL – Brooks Brown (CLE) – 18-27, 2 HR, 7 RBI