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May 13th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (9-18):4
Baltimore Cannons (11-15): 9

W: Ken Carpenter (3-3)
L: Johnny Douglas (2-2)

Another rough start for the formerly dominant Johnny Douglas has his ERA has now ballooned to nearly 8 on the season. He allowed 11 hits, 8 runs (7 earned), and 2 walks with just 1 strikeout. He was better at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a walk. Mike Smith was 2-for-4 with 2 triples, a run scored, and two driven in. Mack Deal was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Dick Fessel was 2-for-5 with a run scored and driven in.

May 14th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (9-19): 7
Baltimore Cannons (12-15): 8

W: Lee Drouillard (1-1)
L: Clyde Lincoln (3-1)

We let this one get away from us after we scored 4 in the 8th to take a 7-6 lead. Clyde Lincoln instantly gave the lead back up, and the Cannons had a sweep set up for tomorrow. DaCosta got the start, 6 innings with 8 hits, 6 runs, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Lincoln allowed 2 hits, 2 runs, and 3 walks in his 2 innings. Mack Deal was star of today's game, going 3-for-3 with a walk, steal, homer, and 5 RBI's. Art Panko was 3-for-5 with a steal and run scored. Dick Fessel was 2-for-4 with 2 steals, 3 runs, 2 RBI's, and a sac-fly. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-5 with a double, steal, and run scored. Harry Simmons was 2-for-5.

May 15th, 1929
Chicago Cougars (9-20): 2
Baltimore Cannons (13-15): 3

W: Bob Miller (3-3)
L: Ace McSherry (0-1)

We did very little to support ace Dick Lyons in this one, with single runs coming in the 7th and 8th. The Cannons walked-off the sweep with a John Wilder single off McSherry. He allowed 3 hits in his 1.1 innings of work. Lyons went 7 innings with 10 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and a strikeout. At the plate, Dick Fessel and Harry Simmons were both 1-for-2 with a walk, steal, and run scored. Mack Deal was 2-for-3. Bob McCarty was 2-for-4 with an RBI. We have an off day tomorrow before finally returning home.

May 17th, 1929
Cleveland Foresters (16-13): 11
Chicago Cougars (10-20): 12

W: Ed Woodward (1-1)
L: Mose Smith (0-1)

Talk about a crazy one! The game was just 3-2 after 5, but they scored 3 in the 7th and 5 in the 8th while we scored 2 in the 6th, 3 in the 7th, 2 in the 8th, and 3 to walk it off in the 9th. In just his fourth game off the DL, Bill Ashbaugh was the walk-off hero, driving in Harry Simmons with a single to finish a crazy back and forth game. He went 3-for-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBI's. He wasn't the star of the game, however, as John Dibblee gave the Cougar loyal's a vintage performance, 5-for-6 with a double, 3 runs scored, and 2 driven in. Harry Simmons was 3-for-5 and he scored 4 times. Art Panko was 3-for-4 with a run scored. Barney Green was 2-for-5 with a double and 3 RBI's. Dick Fessel was 2-for-3 with 2 walks, a triple, run scored, and driven in. Bob McCarty was 2-for-6 with a run scored. On the mound, Babe Wilder went 7 innings with 12 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Ace McSherry allowed 5 runs in 0.2 innings, but only 1 of those was earned. He walked 2 and allowed 4 hits. Woodward, who got the win, went 1.1 innings with a walk and a pair of strikeouts.

May 18th, 1929
Cleveland Foresters (17-13): 3
Chicago Cougars (10-21): 0

W: Bob Lawrence (5-2)
L: Cotton Taylor (1-3)

The final game of this quick two game set ended much differently, as Foresters ace Bob Lawrence proved to be far too much for us. He didn't strike out a batter, but tossed a 5-hit, 3-walk shutout as the Foresters left Chicago with a split. Cotton Taylor pitched well for us, going 8 innings with 7 hits, 3 runs (1 earned), 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. We didn't have a multi-hit game, but Art Panko and Harry Simmons were both 1-for-3 with a walk.

May 19th, 1929
Philadelphia Sailors (20-11): 9
Chicago Cougars (10-22): 7
10 Innings

W: Oscar Morse (1-0)
L: Ace McSherry (0-2)

We played the first place Sailors well, and even had the lead (6-5) entering the 9th before they tied it up. A two run homer by CF David Merchant aided the three run 10th that proved to be insurmountable. We managed a single run in the bottom half, but we dropped the first of three. McSherry allowed 3 runs off 3 hits in 2 innings with a walk and a strikeout. Johnny Douglas went 8 with 13 hits, 6 runs, 4 walks, and 2 strikeouts as he continues a rough start to his season. Bill Ashbaugh went 3-for-4 with a double and three run homer, the first of hopefully many this season. Bob McCarty was 3-for-6 with a run scored and two driven in. John Dibblee was 2-for-3 with a sac-bunt, hit by pitch, run scored, and run driven in. Douglas was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored. Harry Simmons was 2-for-6 with a run scored.

Stars of the Week
Mack Deal : 22 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .500 AVG, 1.158 OPS
Bill Ashbaugh : 25 AB, 9 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .360 AVG, .930 OPS
John Dibblee : 25 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .400 AVG, .863 OPS

Looking Ahead: We finish our three game series with the first place Sailors (20-11) before another off day. We'll then travel up to Toronto for three with the Wolves (18-16) before heading back home to host the Foresters (17-14) for a single game (likely a make up day in real life). Already 10.5 games out of first, we hold a 3 game lead on the Cannons for the 1st Overall Pick. Unlike last season where there was a clear #1 Overall Pick, I am really unsure of who to take this season. There is a lot of talent in the first round (also unlike last year) so I really wish we were better this season.

As the pennant races start to develop, we do have the opportunity to try to move players. There aren't too many interesting targets, however, RF Art Panko (.319/.383/.414, 106 OPS+) and CF Bob McCarty (.323/.379/.457, 117 OPS+) could garner significant interest. A rough week from Fred Barrell in AAA could give C Barney Green (3 HR, 12 RBI) a chance to boost his value, although he hasn't hit much (40 OPS+) this year. Dick Lyons is the only starter who has done much of anything on the mound, but Vince DaCosta and Johnny Douglas are solid rebound candidates and Babe Wilder could be a filler starter for a team facing injuries.

Injury Report: Joe Foley is now healthy and will begin a rehab assignment in Milwaukee. He has options left, so he may return there after his rehab assignment concludes, but with an off day coming up we don't need a full rotation. A Lincoln will get 2B Red Cowell back. B San Jose will be without SP John Peterson for 1-2 weeks with a tired arm.

Transactions: Nothing this week. I wanted to call Barrell up, but he went 5-for-21 in his last 5 games. This gives Barney Green another week to fight for his roster spot.

Minor League Report:

RF Johnny Johnson (AAA Milwaukee Blues): All this guy does is hit, and he's recorded at least one in all 23 games for the Blues this season. He's slashing .390/.422/.500 (134 OPS+) with a homer and 13 RBI's in 109 trips to the plate. The former 4th Rounder checks in at only 28th in our top prospect list, but this is just his second season with legitimate playing time. If Art Panko is on his way out of the big league club, Johnson is one of the top candidates to receive the call to the bigs.

LF Curt Ross (A Lincoln Legislators): The 21-year-old went cycling in a 6-4 loss to Peoria on the 16th, and the former 10th Round pick has really shined when given playing time. He's hitting .344/.404/.522 (141 OPS+) with a homer, 4 steals, and 9 RBI's in 104 trips to the plate with the Legislators. A right fielder by trait, Ross has shifted over to left to see if he has the range needed to play the other corner. He's extremely fast on the base paths and is a plus contact hitter. A lefty hitter and thrower, Ross does not rank in our top 30 prospect list.

SP Sam Bigras (C La Crosse Lions): Another dominant performance from the recent 14th Rounder as he tossed a 3-hit shutout with 7 strikeouts and 2 walks as the Lions dominated the Rock Island Steamboats 16-0. He's a perfect 4-0 with a 0.82 ERA (416 ERA+!), 0.97 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 33 innings for La Crosse. There are openings in the San Jose rotation, so with a few more starts under his belt he can find himself with top prospect George DeForest and the Cougars.

Amateur Report:

RF Sam Brown (Pierpont Purple): His hit streak may have been ended at 33 after a 5-0 loss to the Grafton Scholars, but he responded with a 2 hit, 3 hit, and another 2 hit game to raise his season line to .418/.465/.712 (209 OPS+) with 13 homers and 27 RBI's. The freshman has really taken the league by storm and seems like a way too early front-runner for the top pick in the 1931 draft. He's a disciplined hitter who profiles as a future .330 hitter with above-average power. He doesn't run too well and he'll find a corner his future defensive home, although he does have the arm for right and passable range.

LF John Collins (Liberty College Bells): It was a big day for Collins, as he was 5-for-6 in a 15-1 domination of the Brooklyn State Bears. A draft eligible junior, Collins is hitting .364/.444/.765 (213 OPS+) with 16 homers and 61 RBI's in what can be considered a down year for the first place Bells. As a sophomore, the slugger hit .404/.482/.772 (250 OPS+) with 17 homers and 49 RBI's and his career .380/.470/.759 (226 OPS+) batting line screams future FABL star. He has 53 homers and 159 RBI's with an 11.0 WAR in three seasons with the Bells, all school records. He's also their all time run (146) and total bases leader (420).

LF Ron Wilson (St. Matthew's College Senators): Despite finding themselves in the gutter, the draft eligible junior Ron Wilson has hit .397/.472/.609 (177 OPS+) with 8 homers and 30 RBI's as he sees his draft stock trend up. A strong freshman year put him on the map, as he hit .402/.459/.631 with 8 homers, 8 steals, and 53 RBI's. Wilson can man all three outfield positions, but his future likely resides in a corner. He's speedy on the bases and in the field, but there are questions about his power translating to the majors. He will always hit for a high average and he can draw his share of walks.

C Clem Bliss (Syracuse HS Stars): Bliss won't be eligible for this years draft, however, he has a great chance to be one of the first prep catchers taken. In his second season in the starting lineup, he finished the year with an impressive .387/.500/.570 (209 OPS+) line with 3 homers and 21 RBI's. The switch hitter is impressive at the plate, but he's been excellent behind the dish, throwing out nearly half of the attempted base stealers. And if CERA is your thing, he has an impressive 2.95 for the playoff bound Stars.

CF Paddy Smith (Wilkes-Barre HS Warriors): In his first season manning center, the Warriors finished 26-14, good for first place in their division. They will prepare for the playoffs with Smith, who hit .410/.481/.665 (228 OPS+) with 2 homers and 35 RBI's in 185 trips to the plate. The lefty swinger will likely grow into his power, as the 15-year-old is still very small (145 pounds). He's developing as a defender, but he has at least two more years of high school to figure things out.

SP Hank Beard (Cincinnati HS Tigers): It was a strong first season for the Tigers Ace Hank Beard, as he led them to a postseason appearance. He was 4-2 with a 1.33 ERA (246 ERA+), 0.86 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts in 67.2 innings. Not eligible for the draft until 1931, Beard could still have another growth spurt as he sits at 5'9''. This could lead to a boost in velocity as he currently hovers in the 85-87 MPH range with his fastball. He got a lot of strikeouts with his curve-ball and he didn't allow a single home run all season.

SS George Dawson (Knoxville HS Knights): He did almost everything he could to boost his draft stock as George Dawson finished his final season with the Knights hitting .447/.484/.594 (220 OPS+) with 9 steals and 34 RBI's. While the power completely fell off, as he didn't add to his 12 career homers, he'll finish his High School career a .385/.443/.562 (179 OPS+) with 24 steals and 86 RBI's. An excellent defender, he finished with a +25.9 ZR, including an impressive +14.1 this season. He has great speed and is projected to be one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, but scouts aren't too sure if his bat will translate to the professional game. Signability concerns may see his draft stock fall, but whichever organization ends up with him will get a promising young ball player.