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May 6th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (6-14): 2
New York Stars (10-9): 5

W: Phil English (4-0)
L: Dick Lyons (1-3)
SV: Earl Slater (5)

We'll have to wait another series for our first series win of the year, as former Cougar farmhand Phil English continues his outstanding season (4-0, 1.69 ERA) as the Stars take the finale 5-2. Dick Lyons pitched okay, 7 innings with 9 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), and 4 walks. Barney Green, our only source of power, was 2-for-4 with a solo homer, his 3rd of the season. Mack Deal was 2-for-4. Joe Davis was 1-for-3 with a walk and RBI.

May 7th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (7-15): 9
Brooklyn Kings (11-12): 3

W: Johnny Douglas (2-1)
L: Leon Thompson (3-2)

Our first series in Brooklyn started out as well as we could have imagined with a 9-3 win over the host Kings. Johnny Douglas went the distance, allowing 9 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and a strikeout in his second win of the season. Harry Simmons lead our offensive rout, going 4-for-5 with 3 doubles and 2 runs scored. John Dibblee was 3-for-5 with 2 doubles, 3 runs, and 3 RBI's. Art Panko was 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored and driven in. Dick Fessel was 2-for-5 with a double, run scored, and two runs driven in. Mack Deal was 1-for-4 with a double and a walk.

May 8th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (7-14): 1
Brooklyn Kings (10-12): 4

W: Jim Langley (2-3)
L: Cotton Taylor (1-1)

The Kings evened the series up with a solid start from the youngster Jim Langley. Cotton Taylor went 7 with 9 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts in an effective start. The offense from yesterday disappeared (like it usually does), with Gary Sanders' 2-for-3 the only multi-hit game. He doubled and drove in a run. Tom Rogers was 1-for-4 with a double. Bob McCarty was 1-for-3 with a run scored.

May 9th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (8-15): 10
Brooklyn Kings (11-14): 6

W: Vince DaCosta (1-4)
L: Art Roe (2-2)

Our first series win of the year! And the first appearance in the win column for Vince DaCosta! We managed to outscore the Kings in a 10-6 shootout as DaCosta pitched a complete game. It wasn't pretty, 12 hits, 6 runs, and 6 walks, but we managed to pull away with a clutch 3 runs 9th to give him a little room for error in the bottom half. Rule-5 Pick Joe Davis was a perfect 5-for-5 with 3 triples, a double, 2 runs, and 2 RBI's. Bob McCarty was 3-for-4 with a double, walk, run scored, and RBI. Tom Rogers was 2-for-5 with a double, run scored, and 2 RBI's. Mack Deal was 2-for-5 with a double, 2 runs, and an RBI. Barney Green was 2-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and RBI. DaCosta was 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI.

May 10th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (8-16): 2
Montreal Saints(14-10): 3
14 Innings

W: Leo Hall (4-0)
L: Ed Woodward (0-1)

We were north of the border in Montreal to start a three game set with the Saints. It was our first extra inning game on the season, which saw Saints starter Leo Hall pitch all 14 innings and a walk-off single by 3B Mel Almasy after we intentionally walked superstar 22-year-old Cliff Moss. On our side, Babe Wilder went 9 innings with 9 hits, a run, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Ace McSherry went 2 innings with 2 hits, a run, and a strikeout. Ed Woodward, who was charged with the loss, went 2.2 innings with 2 hits, a run, and 2 walks. John Dibblee was 2-for-5 with a triple, walk, and 2 runs driven in.Bob McCarty was 2-for-4 with a walk. Mack Deal was 2-for-6.

May 11th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (9-16): 1
Montreal Saints(14-11): 0

W: Dick Lyons (2-3)
L: Harvey Rodgers (3-2)

It was almost another extra inning game, but after we got an unearned run in the 4th, Dick Lyons made sure that the Saints did not score. He tossed a complete game shutout, allowing 9 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts. It's still early, but Lyons has been excellent this season, working to a 2.84 ERA (158 ERA+) and 1.47 WHIP in 44.1 innings thusfar. Bob McCarty went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Art Panko was 2-for-3 with a sac-bunt. Barney Green was 1-for-3 with an RBI and sac-bunt.

May 12th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (9-17):3
Montreal Saints(15-11): 7

W: Charlie Stedman (5-1)
L: Cotton Taylor (1-2)

We couldn't come away with the rubber match, as the Saints topped us 7-3 in the finale. Taylor had a rough start, lasting just 5.1 innings with 9 hits, 7 runs, 5 walks, and a strikeout. Ed Woodward looked good, 2.2 innings with a walk and strikeout. Gary Sanders was 1-for-2 with a walk, double, and 2 runs scored. Bob McCarty was 1-for-4 with a double and run scored. Joe Davis was 1-for-3 with a walk and 2 RBI's.

Stars of the Week
J. Davis : 16 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .438 AVG, 1.375 OPS
B. McCarty : 27 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .370 AVG, .989 OPS
H. Simmons : 18 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .389 AVG, 1.061 OPS

Looking Ahead: One more road series in Baltimore (10-15) against the Cannons before we get an off day and return home. They are 1.5 games ahead of us for 7th in the CA. We then have a quick two game series with the Foresters (14-11) before starting a three game series with the first place Sailors (15-9). Philadelphia is 7 games ahead of us, but just half a game in front of the surprise Toronto Wolves (16-11) and one game above the Saints (15-11).

Injury Report: HE'S FINALLY BACK!!! Superstar Bill Ashbaugh is healthy, and will return to the big league roster. He'll bat fourth and man second, sending Gary Sanders (.250/.301/.344, 58 OPS+, 1 HR, 12 RBI) to the bench as Harry Simmons (.370/.416/.478, 120 OPS+, 12 RBI) has easily been our best player so far. Lincoln will get LHP Elmer Wood back from the DL, and no player in our organization got hurt this week!

Transactions: Ben Hathaway, who more or less hasn't played all season (0-for-3) was sent to Milwaukee to make room for Ashbaugh.

Minor League Report
C Fred Barrell (AAA Milwaukee Blues): In his first taste of Century League action, the 23-year-old backstop has impressed in 15 games, hitting .400/.448/.500 (144 OPS+) with 12 RBI's in 60 at bats. With Barney Green's struggles in the majors (.202/.262/.340, 47 OPS+), another strong week for Fred will earn him a callup to the Cougars. Currently the 22nd ranked prospect in all of baseball and #1 ranked catching prospect, Barrell's debut will be highly anticipated.

SP Gus Cain (AA Mobile Commodores): We were lucky to get him back in the Rule-5 Draft after the Sailors selected him, and Cain has impressed in his three starts so far. He's 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA (197 ERA+), 1.03 WHIP, and he's struck out 12 in 30 innings. We're looking to get Cain consistent playing time, something he hasn't in the past, as you can never have too much depth in the rotation. He's getting older, 26 in October, but as the younger guys in AAA get the call up, Cain will be one of the first from Mobile to advance to Milwaukee.

RF Howard Moss (B San Jose Cougars): A 4th Round Pick back in 1927, Howard Moss has had a strong start to 1929 after a great 1928. He's hitting .410/.451/.541 (146 OPS+) with a homer and 9 RBI's for the Cougars before earning the call up to Lincoln. He struggled there last season, but it's obvious that Class B is not enough of a challenge as he dominated there last season as well. Moss has loads of power and is playable out in right, but he's stuck behind a lot of quality outfielders in our system. For now he's an after though, but if he continues to hit like he is, he's going to force his way into our plans.

SP Sam Bigras (C La Crosse Lions): A 14th Round Pick in the most recent draft, Bigras has been amazing with the Lions. He's a perfect 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA (305 ERA+), 1.13 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched. He's walking too many batters (11), but this could come with his inexperience. He throws hard too, sitting in the low 90s with a decent fastball. "Twinkletoes" has a long road ahead of him if he want to build his way into our plans, but you can never have too much pitching in your system.

Amateur Report
3B Al Murphy (Liberty College Bells): A draft eligible junior for the New England division leaders (Tied with St. Patrick's), Al Murphy isn't even in the top 3 in his own lineup. That doesn't take away from the fact that he's hitting .333/.436/.574 (163 OPS+) with 9 homers and 27 RBI'sin 26 games for Liberty College. Murphy, unlike most college players, has been extremely consistent, with OPS+ of 160 and 171 in his freshman and sophomore seasons. His career line of .338/.413/.581 (165 OPS+) to go with 29 homers and 107 RBI's should secure him a selection towards the top of the draft, although maybe not in the first three rounds. His defense at the hot corner isn't great, and he's spent more time at first this season where he will likely end up.

RF Joe Jones (Liberty College Bells): Jones is one of those three Bells hitters better then Murphy, and the Junior has really broken out this season, hitting .404/.480/.747 (217 OPS+) with 14 homers and 44 RBI's. His career .318/.395/.555 (153 OPS+) line is being pushed up by his Junior year as the last two seasons he hit below his career totals. He does have 33 homers and 119 RBI's, but Jones isn't the best defender out in right. Even if his contact strides this season are a fluke, the power has always been there, and being on a dominant college team like Liberty is sure to boost Jones' draft stock. I think he might be the better draft prospect then Murphy, but expect Jones' big Junior year to lead him being drafted earlier then he should.

SP Jim Green (St. Matthew's College Senators): After covering a pair of draft eligible players, we switch to Jim Green, a freshman pitcher out of St. Matthew's College. It's been a great year for the California native, as he's gone 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA (200 ERA+), 1.19 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts in 72 innings for the Senators. Green is a groundballer with a cutter, slider, change, and forkball, with the slider as a great strikeout pitch. He stands 6 feet tall and sits in the 85-87 MPH range with the cut, and with his youth this number can continue to increase. His team does sit in last place, so Green is likely to fall under the radar with most scouts.

LF Cotton Riley (Buffalo HS Bison): It hasn't been the best senior season for Riley, however, he's fresh off a player of the week where he hit .519 with 5 RBI's to take home the award. He hasn't hit any homers this season, but he's hitting .319/.376/.429 (131 OPS+) with 15 RBI's for the Bison. His career .328/.382/.458 (122 OPS+) line doesn't scream future FABL superstar, but Riley is committed to going pro and will even sign with us if we draft him. In a stats only league like ours, late round picks are extremely important and Riley is a consistent one who can help you on offense and defense. He's a base stealing threat and a great defender in left and is shaping up to be a solid lead off hitter.

SP Dave Smith (Somerville HS Generals): It may be Dave Smith's first taste of amateur ball, but he's not pitching like it. The 16-year-old is a perfect 7-0 with a 1.98 ERA (169 ERA+), 1.04 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts in 63.2 innings pitched. He's far away from the draft, however he's already 6'4'' and weights just 170 pounds. Expect him to add velocity as he gets older and jump up draft boards if he continues this pace.