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July 7th, 1930
Chicago Cougars (45-36): 6
Cleveland Foresters (40-41): 4

W: Max Wilder (7-5)
L: George Barker (6-7)
SV: Len Moore (7)

We evened up the four game set with a nice 6-4 win to start the week. Max Wilder pitched fine, 7.1 innings with 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and an impressive 7 strikeouts. Len Moore picked up the save, 1.2 innings with 2 hits and a strikeout. It'll be one of his last save opportunities once Dick Kadlec transitions into the stopper role. Vince York continued his hit streak, going 3-for-5 with a double, triple, 2 runs, and 3 RBI's. Harry Simmons was 3-for-4 with a double and run scored. Mack Deal was 2-for-4 with an RBI. John Dibblee was 1-for-3 with a walk and RBI before leaving with plantar tendinitis. Russ Combs was 1-for-4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

July 8th, 1930
Chicago Cougars (45-37): 6
Cleveland Foresters (41-41): 7
11 Innings

W: Felix Dent (2-0)
L: George Barker (3-3)

It was our second extra inning loss of the series as the Foresters scored a run in the 8th and two in the ninth to force extras. Bobby Allen hit a sac-fly off Len Moore in the 11th to send the Foresters home winners. Dick Lyons made the start, 8 innings with 11 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Dick Kadlec got into the game despite just 1 day of rest, allowing a hit, run, walk, and strikeout in the 9th. Moore allowed 2 hits, a run, and walk in 1.2 innings. Fred Barrell was 2-for-4 with a double and 4 RBI's. Vince York was 2-for-4 with a triple, walk, 2 runs, and a sac-bunt. Mack Deal was 3-for-5. Art Panko was 1-for-3 with a triple and run scored. Bob McCarthy was 1-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and RBI.

July 9th, 1930
Chicago Cougars (45-38): 3
Cleveland Foresters (42-41): 6

W: Jack Thompson (9-10)
L: Jim Crwaford (2-1)

The finale was rough, as the Foresters held our offense in check and took three out of four after a 6-3 win. Jim Crawford allowed 14 hits and 6 runs with a walk and 2 strikeouts in 8 innings. Fred Barrell was 2-for-3 with a walk. John Kincaid was 1-for-3 with a sac-fly and solo homer. George Jordan was 1-for-3 with a walk. Vince York was 2-for-4. Russ Combs was 1-for-5 with a triple, run scored, and RBI.

July 12th, 1930
Chicago Cougars (45-39): 8
Baltimore Cannons (45-41): 9
10 Innings

W: Paul Reed (4-8)
L: Len Moore (3-4)

After two days off, we were out in Baltimore to face the Cannons in a four game set. Late game scoring did us in again, as the Cannons tied the game at 8 in the 9th and then won it in the 10th after a bases loaded walk to Joe Welsh ended the game. Max Wilder made the start, 6 innings with 10 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Dick Kadlec allowed 5 hits and 2 runs in 3 innings. Len Moore allowed a hit, run, and walked three while getting just one out. Mack Deal was 2-for-3 with a walk, run scored, and RBI. Vince York was 2-for-5 with a run scored. John Kincaid was 1-for-2 with a walk, run scored, RBI, and sac-bunt. Dick Fessel was 1-for-4 with a triple, walk, run scored, and RBI. Bill Ashbaugh was 1-for-5 with a triple, run scored, and 5 RBI's. Fred Barrell was 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.

July 13th, 1930
Chicago Cougars (45-40): 2
Baltimore Cannons (46-41): 6
10 Innings

W: Buzz Ham (6-4)
L: Tommy Russel (7-7)

Our rough patch continued as we lost our 4th in a row to finish the week just 1-4. Tommy Russel pitched all nine, allowing 11 hits, 6 runs (3 earned), and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts. Vince York was 2-for-4 with a steal and RBI. John Kincaid was 2-for-4 with a triple, steal, and run scored. George Jordan was 1-for-4 with a steal and run scored.

Weekly Summary
This was an awful week... The only positives are we're still in second (tied with Baltimore and 8.5 out of first) and Vince York's hit streak is up to an impressive 36 games. His average is just a point shy of .400 and he is still leading the CA. He *might* be the best right fielder in the game right now, but there are a ton of talented players in right like Tom Taylor, Lou Kelly, Al Wheeler, Moxie Pidgeon, and Doug Lightbody. But if you ask a Chicago fan, they're going to pick the 24-year-old switch hitter.

We will have Dick Luedtke on hand for this week, and he's set to make his Cougar debut in the finale against the Cannons. With the Gothams, he was 9-5 with a 3.09 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.05 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. His last start came in a 5-2 win over the Chiefs, where he allowed 6 hits and 2 runs with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in a complete game. With the struggles of Dick Lyons, Leudtke will temporarily slot in the #2 spot in the rotation, although this is subject to change.

A little injury news as we will be without John Dibblee for the week. It's not worth sending him to the DL, but he likely won't play for at least four games. Art Panko will get more starts with him out and I might throw Mack Deal in left some more as well.

We have to win the final two against Baltimore as our road trip continues to progress. We then have four with Brooklyn (38-45), four with Montreal (44-42), three with the Stars (39-47), and then a single game with Cleveland (44-42). We finally return home on the 28th for two with the Foresters. I'm afraid that we end up below or at .500 once we return home.

Injury Report
LF John Dibblee (Chicago Cougars): Patellar tendinitis (4 days)
RF Ray Ross (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Returned from the DL
CF Ken Allen (B San Jose Cougars): Elbow strain (4 weeks)
RP Cy Plummer (B San Jose Cougars): Torn elbow ligament (11 months)

Transactions
Returned RHP Bill McLean to the Washington Eagles. McLean was 1-0 with a 5.94 ERA (81 ERA+), 2.06 WHIP, 26 walks, and 16 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched. Placed RHP Dick Leudtke on the active roster.

Minor League Report

SP Ed Stevens (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Our 3rd Round pick in 1927, Ed Stevens has worked himself all the way up to AAA. The 24-year-old has made just 2 starts with the Blues, but is 2-0 with a 1.06 ERA (382 ERA+), 1.00 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 17 innings. His most recent start was a 9-hit, 4 strikeout shutout of the Fort Wayne Warriors as he looks up to the task of the highest level of the minor leagues. He throws in the low 90s with a fastball, slider, and change and he has both average stuff and control. Currently ranked as the #25 prospect in our system, Stevens' coaches love him due to his leadership skills and he's excellent for the clubhouse. He's not Rule-5 eligible yet, so I doubt he makes his FABL debut this season, but expect to see him in a Cougar uniform next year.

SP Bobby Love (A Lincoln Legislators): Taken the round before Ed Stevens, we grabbed Bobby Love out of high school with our second round pick. He's been in Lincoln all season, going 6-3 with a 3.36 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.24 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 93.2 innings. Since being selected (and throughout high school) Love has never had an ERA+ below 100 and other then a stint with San Jose last season, he's struck out 7.5 or more batters at each stop. The 21-year-old righty sits in the low 90s with a fastball, curve, and forkball. His forkball is the best of his three pitches, and he generates a lot of swings and misses. The only thing stopping him from being a big league starter is his control, as he does have the occasional issue with walks.

Amateur Report

SP Pat Martin (Travis College Bucks): After being a mediocre starter as a freshman and sophomore, Pat Martin burst on to the scene as a junior, going 5-1 with a 2.87 ERA (176 ERA+), 1.14 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts in 53.1 innings. His college career line isn't too bad either, 7-9 with a 4.02 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, and 126 strikeouts in 170.1 innings pitched. There are concerns if Martin can stick in a rotation, but he sits in the 92-94 MPH range with his fastball, and a move to the pen would increase that velocity. He's working on making his slider, change, and forkball enough of a secondary offering to stick in the rotation, but he's seen his velocity jump from 86-88 during the season. If he continues on this path, he could be an intriguing late round arm.

LF Jim Mason (Ellery Bruins): Was it a mistake to let him go to college? We may never know, but Jim Mason had a productive season where he hit .393/.434/.659 (160 OPS+) with 11 homers and 55 RBI's in his final college season. He finished with a .389/.440/.608 (170 OPS+) career line in 697 plate appearances. He launched 29 homers, stole 15 bases, and drove in 146 RBI's in 150 games. Mason has outstanding bat to ball skills and he'll hit for above average power as he showed with the Bruins. He was taken with the first pick in the third round last year, and I expect him to work his way into the first round with a much weaker draft class. I won't select him, but whoever does will get a future big league corner outfielder.

3B Tom Eggleton (New Orleans HS Cavailers): His best offensive season was as a sophomore when he hit .417/.463/.750 (221 OPS+) in just 72 at bats, but his .290/.359/.496 (128 OPS+) line as a senior is more then solid. He also added 5 homers and 21 RBI's while excelling on the mound. In 9 starts, he was 3-3 with a 2.73 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.18 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts in 62.2 innings. It was his best season on the mound, and second year in a row with a sub 2.80 ERA, sub 1.20 WHIP, and 30 ore more strikeouts. The "Reverend" is a reliable lefty hitter who's patient and makes consistent contact while also providing value on defense. On the mound, he doesn't throw too hard, but projects to be a future bullpen arm. He's got a lot of potential, but a long way to grow, but he has the benefit of being able to play the field and pitch.