[ayaghmour2]

April 20th, 1931
Toronto Wolves (3-4): 3
Chicago Cougars (4-3): 11

W: Steve Castellini (1-0)
L: Frank Howk (0-1)

For some reason the box score wasn't created for this game. We got a lot of runs and Castellini allowed just 2 in 7.1 innings in a much better outing then the last. Tom Taylor also hit his 4th homer of the season.

April 21st, 1931
Toronto Wolves (3-5): 3
Chicago Cougars (5-3): 5

W: Dick Lyons (1-1)
L: Birdie Smith (1-1)
SV: Dick Kadlec (1)

The finale went our way and we left Chicago with a nice four game series win. Dick Lyons pitched a strong 6 innings with 10 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), a walk, and 2 strikeouts. Dick Kadlec tossed 3 scoreless innings with 2 hits and 2 walks to earn his first save of the season. Russ Combs was 3-for-4 with a run scored and RBI. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-3 with a sac-fly and run scored. Fred Barrell was 1-for-2 with 2 walks, 2 RBI's, and a run scored. Vince York was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

April 22nd, 1931
Chicago Cougars (6-3): 6
Philadelphia Sailors (5-3): 1

W: Dick Leudtke (2-0)
L: Oscar Morse (1-1)

We started our first road trip of the season with a four game series in Philadelphia. Dick Leudtke tossed a gem, a complete game win with 6 hits, a run, and 3 strikeouts. Tom Taylor had an excellent return to Philly, going 4-for-5 with a double, run scored, and RBI. Fred Barrell was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI's. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-4 with a run scored and driven in. John Kincaid was 2-for-5 with a double and run scored.

April 23rd, 1931
Chicago Cougars (6-4): 3
Philadelphia Sailors (6-3): 6

W: Rollie Beal (1-1)
L: Jim Crawford (1-1)
SV: Maurice Demby (3)

The Sailors managed to even the series with a 6-3 win to improve to 6-3 on the season. Jim Crawford went 8 with 14 hits, 6 runs, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. He was also 1-for-2 with a double, run scored, and sac-bunt. Russ Combs was 2-for-4 with a triple, run scored, hit by pitch, and RBI. Harry Simmons was 1-for-4 with a walk and RBI.

April 24th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (6-5): 2
Philadelphia Sailors (7-3): 7

W: Herb Lowman (2-0)
L: Max Wilder (0-3)

They scored five quick runs in the first which proved to be enough and the Sailors took this one 7-2. All five of those runs were unearned, ruining Max Wilder's start. Only 2 of the 7 were earned and allowed 6 hits and 3 walks with 2 strikeouts. Vince York was 2-for-4 with a triple and run scored. Harry Simmons was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Slim Bloom was 1-for-4 with a triple, run scored, and RBI.

April 25th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (6-6): 4
Philadelphia Sailors (8-3): 7

W: William Jones (3-0)
L: Steve Castellini (1-1)
SV: Maurice Demby (4)

The losses kept piling up and the Sailors took the finale 7-4. Castellini had a rough outing, 5 innings with 9 hits, 6 runs, 3 walks, and a strikeout, but was 1-for-2 at the plate. Chick Meehan tossed 3 innings of mop up with a hit, run, walk, and 2 strikeouts. Fred Barrell was 2-for-3 with a walk, run scored, and 2 RBI's. Phil Vaughan was 1-for-3 with a double, walk, and RBI, with the double the first hit of his big league career.

April 26th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (7-6): 9
Cleveland Foresters (5-7): 5

W: Dick Lyons (2-1)
L: Karl Johnson (0-2)

Our road trip brought us to Cleveland for a four game set against the Foresters. We made ourselves at home, and piled on 15 hits in a 9-5 victory in the opener. Former Forester Russ Combs led the offense, going 2-for-6 with a homer and 4 RBI's. Slim Bloom was 2-for-4 with a double, 2 runs, and 3 RBI's. Harry Simmons was 2-for-5 with a double, run scored, and RBI. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-5 with a triple and run scored. Dick Lyons made the start, 6 innings with 4 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Tommy Russel struck out one in two perfect frames before leaving the game with a shoulder injury.

Stars of the Week
Fred Barrell : 16 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 8 RBI, .563 AVG, 1.383 OPS
Russ Combs : 30 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI, .367 AVG, .920 OPS
Harry Simmons : 30 AB, 11 H, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .367 AVG, .820 OPS

Weekly Summary
It was a week over .500, but it felt disappointing as we barely showed up for the series against the Sailors. They do have the best pitching in the league, but we didn't score more then five runs in any of the four games. If we want to win the pennant, we have to beat the good teams and we couldn't. Luckily, we took three of four from the Wolves and I'm expecting more of the same with Cleveland.

We'll continue our series with the Foresters (5-7) before finishing our road trip with four games in Toronto (4-9). The road trip ends there, but we don't get an off day, as we have to head home to host those Foresters. It'll be a four game series and then we get our first off day of the season. It's a much needed day off, as we will have played 24 consecutive games. It's a rough start to the season and we've already got bad news on the player front.

Both Tommy Russel and top prospect Tom Barrell suffered major injuries. Russel will miss 5-6 months with shoulder inflammation and might not pitch again this years. The 23-year-old Barrell suffered the same injury, but he's likely missing 6-7 months. It's a tough blow for Barrell, who was in the middle of a complete game shutout. He got hurt trying to get the second to last out, and allowed just 5 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. This is a major injury that really scares me.

In more positive news, Vince York has been off to an excellent start to the season. He's hitting an impressive .472/.481/.547 (157 OPS+) with 5 RBI's in 54 trips to the plate. His .472 batting average is the best in the league so far. The #3 average hitter in the league might be having a better season, and that's Fred Barrell. The 25-year-old is hitting .436/.542/.564 (177 OPS+) with 14 RBI's, which is also the third best in the league.

Injury Report
SP Tommy Russel (Chicago Cougars): Shoulder inflammation (5-6 months)
3B John Kincaid (Chicago Cougars): Thigh mussel strain (1 days)
SP Tom Barrell (Mobile Commodores): Shoulder inflammation (6-7 months)
SP Ike Quinn (San Jose Cougars): Partially Torn UCL (elbow) (6 months)

Transactions
Recalled RP Claude Purvis from AAA Milwaukee
Cleveland claimed RP Ray Powell off waivers
New York claimed LF Art Panko off waivers
Brooklyn claimed RP Karl Clasby off waivers
Claimed 3B Joe Miller off the waivers from the Keystones

Minor League Report

2B Elmer Hutchins (C La Crosse Lions): A former 8th Round pick back in 1929, Hutchins had a rough first season in affiliated ball last year. This season has started much better, as he's hitting .326/.404/.478 (141 OPS+) with 2 homers, 2 steals, and 13 RBI's in 104 plate appearances. Hutchins is rated as the 18th best prospect in our system and 273rd in all of baseball. He's a decent defender who should hit for a high average. He doesn't usually hit for much power, but he's already half way to his mark last season. He's just 20 and has a lot of room to grow, but he could develop into a decent bench player.

SP Fred Collins (C La Crosse Lions): Taken in the 5th round of the most recent draft, Fred Collins doesn't get the prospect hype of Mel Leonard, but he's turned in four excellent starts for the Lions. He's 1-2, but with a 1.91 ERA (201 ERA+), 1.03 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched. The righty has a nice four pitch arsenal, featuring an 88-90 MPH cutter. He works well down in the zone and is able to get a lot of ground ball outs. He's got a lot of movement on his pitches and the potential to start at the highest level.

Amateur Report

SP Bob Cummings (College of San Diego Friars): One of the best freshman arms in baseball, Bob Cummings has had an excellent season even when his team has struggled. He's 7-1 with a 2.51 ERA (175 ERA+), 0.82 WHIP, and 54 strikeouts. A native off Chicago, Cummings has shown the potential to become an excellent big league starter. He's a groundballer who throws four pitches, but he still hasn't developed much velocity. He's got decent control and should be able to pitch deep into games. He's far off from his draft day, but a strong freshman year is the perfect way to start your collegiate career.

LF Red Bond (Toledo HS Wildcats): It's been a strong senior year for Red Bond, who's hitting .276/.375/.506 (148 OPS+) in just over 100 trips to the plate for the Toledo HS Wildcats. He's also launched 6 homers and drove in 16 runs in his final season in high school. For his career he owns a .304/.398/.500 (162 OPS+) batting line with 20 homers and 71 RBI's. He's a solid defender out in left field who projects to have above average power. He's got a nice smooth swing with the potential to become an FABL starter. He's one of the top prep outfielders and could be a potential first or second round pick.