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May 11th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (16-11): 10
Montreal Saints (6-20): 0

W: Steve Castellini (3-2)
L: Dave Paynter (1-4)

Steve Castellini showed signs of is last season's self, as the veteran tossed a complete game shutout as we beat the Saints 10-0. He allowed just 5 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts in the shutout victory. The recently added to the lineup Jim Kyle was 3-for-4 with a triple, walk, run scored, and 3 RBI's. Bill Ashbaugh was 3-for-5 with a double, 2 runs, and an RBI. Cy Bryant was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Harry Simmons was 2-for-4 with a walk and a pair of runs scored.

May 12th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (17-11): 3
Montreal Saints (6-21): 0

W: Dick Lyons (3-3)
L: Charlie Stedman (2-4)

The pitching was great once again, and we finished off a road sweep with a 3-0 shutout victory. This time it was Dick Lyons on the mound, who allowed 7 hits with a walk and three strikeouts in his complete game shutout. He was also 1-for-4 with an RBI. Cy Bryant was 2-for-4 with a run scored and driven in. John Kincaid was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

May 13th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (17-12): 2
Brooklyn Kings (13-16): 5

W: Tommy Wilcox (4-4)
L: Dick Leudtke (4-2)

We arrived in Brooklyn for a three game series against the Kings. We got the displeasure of facing Tommy Wilcox, who tossed another excellent game in a 5-2 Kings win. Dick Leudtke made the start for us, going 8 innings with 9 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. John Kincaid and Bill Ashbaugh were both 2-for-4. Harry Simmons was 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored.

May 14th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (17-13): 3
Brooklyn Kings (14-16): 4

W: Lyman Weigel (4-3)
L: Max Wilder (3-4)

Up 3-1 in the 9th, Harry Simmons made an error, the cause of three unearned runs. The third was the worst, a walk-off single courtesy of Kings starter Lyman Weigel. Max Wilder was the unlucky loser, 8.2 innings with 7 hits, just one earned run, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts. He was also 1-for-4 with an RBI. Slim Bloom was 1-for-2 with a double, 2 walks, and a run scored. Vince York was 1-for-4 with a solo homer, his first homer of the season.

May 15th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (17-14): 4
Brooklyn Kings (15-16): 8

W: Del Lyons (2-5)
L: Jim Crawford (3-3)

The Kings made quick work of us in the finale, and we'll leave Brooklyn after getting swept. This is the second time we've been swept this season. Jim Crawford had a rough start, 7.1 innings with 13 hits, 8 runs (6 earned), 2 walks, and just 1 strikeout. Slim Bloom was 2-for-4 with a two run homer. Cy Bryant was 3-for-4 with a double and RBI. Vince York was 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored.

May 16th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (18-14): 7
New York Stars (18-13): 6
Game 1
11 Innings

W: Chick Meehan (1-0)
L: Earl Slater (2-1)
SV: Claude Purvis (1)

We didn't have to travel too far for our next match, as we were in New York to face the Stars. We started our first series against the Stars with a double header today. It's never a good sign when the double header goes into extras, but we made it happen with 2 in the 7th, one in the 8th, and one more in the 9th. We didn't score in the 10th, but in the 11th a pinch hitting Bob McCarty drove home Cy Bryant, who tripled to lead off the inning. Bryant was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Tom Taylor was 2-for-4 with a homer, 2 runs, 2 RBI's, and a walk. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-5 with a run scored and driven in. Steve Castellini made the start, 6 innings with 11 hits, 6 runs, a walk, and 2 strikeouts. Claude Purvis picked up the first save of his career, allowing just a single in a scoreless 11th.

May 16th, 1931
Chicago Cougars (19-14): 8
New York Stars (18-14): 7
Game 2

W: Chick Meehan (1-0)
L: Earl Slater (2-1)
SV: Claude Purvis (1)

It was another nail biter, as both teams scored a singe run in the 9th. We came away the winners in a closer 8-7 game, and will get the next day off to rest before finishing the series. Vince York was 2-for-4 with a homer, sac-fly, walk, and 3 RBI's. Cy Bryant was 2-for-5 with a triple and run scored. Tom Taylor was 2-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and RBI. Jim Kyle was 2-for-3 with a sac-bunt, walk, and run scored.

Stars of the Week
Cy Bryant : 31 AB, 14 H, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .452 AVG, 1.097 OPS
Dick Lyons : 2 Wins, 16.0 IP, 3 BB, 5 K, 2.25 ERA
Bill Ashbaugh : 32 AB, 11 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .344 AVG, .820 OPS

Weekly Summary
It was a middling week, just 4-3, but the good news is no one important was hurt this week. The off day was nice, but we have to continue our roadtrip with the final game in the Stars series. After that we're off to Baltimore (21-11) to take on the first place Cannons. This is a huge series, as if we can take two of three we can take a nice jump in the standings. Philadelphia (20-11) is the only team between the Cannons and us right now, but the Stars are still on our tail. After the Cannons series we are off again. We'll use this game to travel home before a three game series with the previously mentioned Sailors.

The offense has started to slump recently, but we currently have the best rotation and bullpen ERA in the CA. Castellini is the only pitcher on the active roster with a below average ERA+, and that's because of his recent outing in the double header. Max Wilder is on a stretch of five consecutive starts with two or less earned runs. It's been a solid season for the 33-year-old who is 3-4 with a 3.21 ERA (136 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts in 53.1 innings pitched.

This upcoming stretch is going to be a good test, as we'll face our fellow pennant contenders. If we can take four of six here, it will really help put us back towards the top. I expect the offense to turn improve, especially with Russ Combs' return nearing. He's hopefully two weeks away from starting a rehab assignment. Slim Bloom has done well in his absence, hitting .308/.392/.446 (113 OPS+) with a homer and 14 RBI's in 74 trips to the plate. Combs is a much better hitter, but having Bloom put up respectable production in his absence has been crucial. Even when Combs returns, I expect Bloom to function like Mack Deal did last season I think it might be a good idea to give Russ Combs days off once he's healthy.

Injury Report
2B Red O'Neal (AAA Milwaukee Blues): sprained knee (2-3 weeks)
RP Bill Hartfield (A Lincoln Legislators): elbow strain (2 weeks)
SP Cy Plummer (C La Crosse Lions): returned from the DL

Minor League Report

SP Ace McSherry (AAA Milwaukee Blues): One of the reasons Ace McSherry didn't make the opening day roster was he had options and he missed most of last seasons with an injury. He wouldn't have gotten starts in the majors, but is pitching every 5 days in Milwaukee. It's gone well, as he's got an impressive 1.96 ERA (226 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts in 4 starts. McSherry is still throwing in the high 90s, and the 27-year-old is making it hard for me to keep him in the minors. Russel likely isn't coming back, so an injury to the rotation makes McSherry an option to take the starts. He's also experienced in the pen, recording 18 saves as a rookie in 1929.

SS Dave Griffin (A Lincoln Legislators): After a great start in San Jose, Dave Griffin earned himself a promotion to A Lincoln. In 76 trips to the plate with the Cougars, Griffin hit .357/.400/.457 (134 OPS+) with 3 steals and 11 RBI's. The former 18th Round selection has been a solid defender in the past, but it's been a rough season for him so far. He appears to have the range to stick, but he just needs more time at the position. He ranks as the third best shortstop prospect in our organization, but he's doing his best to push his way up the depth chart.

Amateur Report

2B Freddie Jones (Central Ohio Aviators): Easily one of the best college players in the game, Freddie Jones is doing all he can to keep the Aviators in first place. As a junior, this may be his last season with the Aviators, who have yet to make the postseason with Jones on the team. When Jones was a freshman, he hit .486/.625/.665 (257 OPS+) with 6 homers, 41 RBI's, and 10 steals in 248 plate appearances. He hasn't been able to match that production, but he's hitting a still impressive .355/.472/.533 (168 OPS+) with 4 homers and 28 RBI's. With just 9 games left in the season, the Lincoln Presidents are just one game back. Back to Jones, he's an excellent defender with excellent speed and the potential to win batting titles. I'd consider him the best college bat in the draft this year, and he should easily be a first round pick. I'm hoping not to have a pick high enough to select him, but he'd be my ideal first round selection.

SP Pug Bryan (Lincoln Presidents): While a junior is leading the Aviators, a freshman is leading the second place Lincoln Presidents. Pug Bryant is having an excellent season on the mound, going 9-1 with a 1.48 ERA (299 ERA+), 0.95 WHIP, and 80 strikeouts in 91.1 innings pitched. He's got an elite swing and miss change up with nice command of his arsenal. He doesn't throw too hard, but the sinker baller generates a ton of ground outs. He's still young, but Bryan seems like a future ace. He'll have two more seasons, but a playoff appearance as a freshman could be good for his development.

CF Bill May (Greensboro HS Giants): Greensboro HS fell just one game short of the playoffs, so the career of superstar center fielder Bill May will come to an end. In three season with the Giants, he hit .360/.432/.520 (184 OPS+) with 9 homers, 61 steals, and 58 RBI's in 564 plate appearances. He's a elite defender as well, recording a +22.2 ZR and 1.089 efficiency in 1,085 innings out in center. Possibly the best prep hitter in the 1931 class, May his filled to the brim with potential. He's got the potential to be one of the best defenders in the FABL with range that is almost unseen. He's even great at the plate, with the potential to be an excellent hitter as well. May's got superstar written all over him and should end up a first round selection this year.

SP John Hartz (Denver HS Mountaineers): Another player who saw his high school career end, righty John Hartz had a dominant senior season. He was 3-4, but with a 1.88 ERA (183 ERA+), 1.00 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 72 innings. This was a huge season for Hartz, who only first started playing as a junior. He doesn't have a lot of experience, so he's an extremely risky prospect, but the talent is there. He's 6 foot and already throws in the mid to high 80s with his fastball. It's one of four solid pitches as Hartz has all the tools to start in the majors. It'll be interesting to see where he commits to, as the location of that school could determine if he signs or not.