[ayaghmour2]

June 8th, 1931
Montreal Saints (22-30): 9
Chicago Cougars (29-25): 8
18 Innings

W: Dave Paynter (4-6)
L: Taylor Collins (0-1)

Well I just think this is a bad omen...

There was a lot of late scoring, but we had a 7-5 lead headed to the 9th. Dick Kadlec, who I debated optioning (and probably should have) walked 4 and allowed 3 runs as the Saints took an 8-7 lead. We didn't give up there, as Phil Vaughan took an 0-2 mistake and deposited it 366 feet from home plate to tie the game. But then, despite both teams averaging nearly a run an inning, the 10th through 17th(!) innings didn't see a single run. Not only that, we had just one base runner (a walk) from the 13th on. We cracked first, as Dave Paynter delivered a tie breaking single.

Dave Paynter is the Saints #3 starter and he had himself a game. They ran out of relievers, and not only did he deliver the go ahead single, he threw 6 innings with 5 strikeouts and just one walk.

Hours before the game ended, Dick Lyons made the start. He went 7.2 innings with 13 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), and 6 strikeouts. Taylor Collins got the loss, but pitched rather well, 4 innings with 4 hits, a run, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Claude Purvis tossed 3 innings with a hit, walk, and strikeout. John Kincaid was 4-for-8 with 2 doubles and RBI's. Harry Simmons was 3-for-6 with a triple, 2 walks, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Fred Barrell was 2-for-8 with a double and 2 runs scored in his return to the lineup. Russ Combs was 2-for-8 with a double, walk, run scored, and RBI in his return, but he made two errors that really killed us. Cy Bryant was 2-for-7 with 2 doubles and an RBI.

June 9th, 1931
Montreal Saints (23-30): 4
Chicago Cougars (29-26): 3

W: Rich Fisher (6-1)
L: Steve Castellini (4-6)
SV: Randy Taylor (3)

And that's seven...

All at home...

The formerly last place Saints came to town and took all four games from us...

Steve Castellini allowed 12 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with just 1 strikeout in the complete game. Slim Bloom was 2-for-3 with a double, walk, run scored, and RBI. Tom Taylor was 2-for-4 with a steal and run scored. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-4 with a triple and RBI. Russ Combs was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Tom Taylor was 2-for-4 with a steal and run scored.

June 10th, 1931
New York Stars (31-22): 14
Chicago Cougars (29-27): 1

W: Mutt Pharr (4-3)
L: Dick Leudtke (5-5)

I'm speechless...

It was an awful start for Dick Leudtke, who allowed 11 hits and 9 runs (8 earned), with a walk in just 3.2 innings pitched. Taylor Collins allowed 5 hits and 5 runs with 2 walks and a strikeout in 3.1 innings pitched. John Kincaid was 3-for-4 with a double and run scored.

This was a bad one...

June 11th, 1931
New York Stars (31-23): 1
Chicago Cougars (30-27): 3

W: Jim Crawford (6-4)
L: Gene Stevens (3-6)

Oh man!

Oh MAN!

OH MANNNNNNN!!!!

WE WON AGAIN!!!!!!

Our losing streak will stop at eight, which is giving me flashbacks from the 1929 season. Jim Crawford tossed an absolute gem, 7 hits, a run, walk, and 4 strikeouts in a complete game victory. Harry Simmons was 2-for-3 with a double and RBI. Tom Taylor was 1-for-4 with a solo shot.

June 12th, 1931
New York Stars (31-24): 7
Chicago Cougars (31-27): 8

W: Earl Slater (1-2)
L: Dick Kadlec (3-2)

When the 9th inning started, it was 7-3. And the Stars were winning. Most of the 20,000 were dejected because not only did Russ Combs leave the game with an injury in the 6th, it was about to be the start of another eight game losing streak. Earl Slater walked back out to the mound and it seemed pretty obvious this game was over.

But, then something magical happened. First Kincaid walked. Then Taylor singled. Then Ashbaugh drove Kincaid home with a double and it looked like something might happen. York singled home Taylor, then Barrell singled home Ashbaugh. Just like that, we were just down by one round. I want to shoot my manager for making Cy Bryant bunt, giving them the first out of the inning, but it is how the game was played back then. Harry Simmons was, but grounded out to first and no runners could advance. Slater intentionally walked Phil Vaughan to bring up Lee Sparks. Sparks hit a soft ground ball, he hustled to first and beat it out, as York scored the game tieing run. Now tied at seven we're back where it started with John Kincaid up to bat. He lined the first pitch to left and the crowd erupted as Fred Barrell touched home plate.

WE DID IT!!!

IT FEELS LIKE THE WORLD SERIES!!!

Whew...

Kincaid had the two singles, a hit by pitch, run scored, and the game winning RBI in five trips to the plate. Vince York was 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored and driven in. Barrell was 2-for-5 with a run scored and two driven in. Bill Ashbaugh was 2-for-3 with a double, steal, walk, and run scored. Max Wilder had a rough start, 16 hits and 6 runs with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched. Kadlec allowed 2 hits, a walk, and run in the 9th.

June 13th, 1931
New York Stars (31-25): 3
Chicago Cougars (32-27): 6

W: Dick Lyons (7-3)
L: Lou Martino (7-2)

The finale was ours, as we managed to string three wins together to take the series. So we can beat the good teams, but not the bad ones? Dick Lyons made an excellent start, 7 scoreless with 6 hits, a walk, and 2 strikeouts. Taylor Collins allowed 4 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in 2 innings. Tom Taylor was 3-for-4 with a double, run scored, and 2 RBI's. John Kincaid was 2-for-4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored. Vince York was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI's. Harry Simmons was 2-for-5 with a run scored.

June 14th, 1931
Baltimore Cannons (34-25): 4
Chicago Cougars (32-28): 3

W: Ken Carpenter (10-5)
L: Steve Castellini (4-7)

We welcomed the second place Cannons to town for three in our last series before a day off. We did all our scoring in the 8th, but it wasn't enough as the Cannons topped us 4-3 in the opener. To make matters worth, Fred Barrell left with back stiffness...

Castellini made the start, 8 innings with 10 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), and 4 strikeouts. John Kincaid was 2-for-4 with a walk. Cy Bryant and Slim Bloom were both 2-for-4 without the walk.

Stars of the Week
John Kincaid : 33 AB, 14 H, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .424 AVG, 1.048 OPS
Harry Simmons : 26 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .346 AVG, .875 OPS
Tom Taylor : 31 AB, 9 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .290 AVG, .753 OPS

Weekly Summary
When this week started, I thought I was going to have get rid of all my players and coaching staff after a 12 game losing streak that still isn't over. I'm not sure how the Saints swept us, but baseball can be like that sometimes. We've fallen to 4.5 games out of first with the Sailors (35-22) still on top. Baltimore (34-25) and New York (32-25) sit between us and them.

After we finish the three game set with the Cannons, we'll get out first off day of a 4-9 June. We'd then head to Brooklyn (29-29) and Montreal (24-34) for hopefully some road revenge after they took seven out of eight from us in Chicago.

Both Combs and Barrell hit well in their returns, but they also both got hurt again. Neither injury is major, so no DL stint needed, but I will be giving them alternate days off. If either get a more serious injury next sim, it'll be hard to forgive myself, but I just can't afford to keep their bats out of the lineup.

I'll be moving on from Dick Kadlec as stopper, and he'll be sent down to AAA Milwaukee. Instead of appointing another closer it will be an open audition for the 9th inning role. Kadlec was in the midst of an awful season. He was 1-2 with 5 saves, but an astronomical 7.04 ERA (61 ERA+) and 2.04 WHIP with more walks (19) then strikeouts (12). It looks like the pen may not be the future for him, so I'll let him start in Milwaukee for now.

Injury Report
SS Russ Combs (FABL Chicago Cougars): Sore back (one week)
C Fred Barrell (FABL Chicago Cougars): Back stiffness (5 days)
CF Tom Thomas (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Oblique strain (5-6 weeks)
LF Harry Humphrey (A Lincoln Legislators): Back spasms (uncertain)
SP Roy Arnold (B San Jose Cougars): Mild shoulder strain (6 days)

Transactions
Optioned CL Dick Kadlec to AAA Milwaukee. Recalled SP Ace McSherry from AAA Milwaukee.

Minor League Report

RF Ed Rhoden (AAA Milwaukee Blues): With Tom Thomas heading to the DL, Ed Rhoden is going to get some reps out in center. He has experience in all three outfield spots, but most of his innings have come out in right. I want to give him more experience here as Rhoden could be a very valuable bench piece for us if he can handle center. There's no question he can hit, however, and he's slashing .320/.375/.470 (120 OPS+) with 6 homers, 10 steals, and 26 RBI's in 227 plate appearances. Since he's on the 40-Man roster, there's a really good chance we'll see him in Chicago some time this year. I won't bring him up any time soon since I want him to have time in center, but he's definitely got a shot to win a bench spot next season.

SP Johnny Walker (A Lincoln Legislators): As a High School senior, Johnny Walker struck out 136 batters in 83.1 innings pitched to set the Berkley Bears single season record and the second most in a season All-Time. With that, I thought he could be the next Rabbit Day and took him in the third round. He's had a solid minor league career, but this season he's really broken out. In 10 starts, he's 5-3 with a 1.42 ERA (273 ERA+), 0.89 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts in 82.1 innings pitched. He's just 21, so I'm not quite sure if he's ready for AA, but Walker might be moving up soon. He's an extremely talented lefty who throws a nice 92-94 MPH fastball. What gets the strikeout is his huge breaking ball which looks like it's down the middle one second and then on home plate when you start swinging. The movement is just as impressive on the fastball and change, and he generates a ton of ground ball outs. Walker is a tiny guy, just 5'8'' 145, so he doesn't fit the prototypical mold of big league starters, but very few pitchers can strike out batters like he can. He doesn't have much prospect hype, but I think he's going to be an excellent major leaguer.

Amateur Report

The College finals are taking place this week between the Henry Hudson Explorers (29-21) and Central Ohio Aviators (33-17). I'll cover the Explorers FABL hopefuls today and the Aviators hopefuls tomorrow.

SP Curly Jones: Henry Hudson is known for their excellent rotation. Jones is the ace of a staff that includes the 2nd, 4th, and 8th best prospects in College and the top three pitchers. The sophomore Jones is the probably the best amateur pitcher in the world, and he had an excellent second season. He was 8-5 with a 2.29 ERA (194 ERA+), 0.90 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched. Jones can throw flat out gas, reaching 98 with his fastball and sometimes he can put on a little more to graze triple digits. He has an excellent cutter and change up as well as maybe he's called Curly because of how the ball curls on it's way to home plate. He can hit any quadrant of the strike zone and sometimes it looks like he can put the ball where he wants. He's got ace potential and could possibly be the #1 pick next year.

SP George Gilliard: There might not be any team that has an ace with as much potential as Gilliard. And he doesn't even get to be the ace on his own team. Like Allen, he's a sophomore, but Gilliard is much less developed then Allen and his allure is more on his potential then his current performance. That's not to say this year wasn't good, as he was a respectable 7-5 with a 3.33 ERA (134 ERA+), 1.07 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts. Gilliard is a siedarmed groundballer who gets crazy movement on his pitches. He has excellent command of his four pitch arsenal and when he's on he's almost unhittable. The only problem for him he's occasionally prone for rough outings when a pitch or two gets a way from him and lands right in the center of the plate. He's got ace potential as well, but he's a lost more risky then most college starters. I can see him falling out of the first round if he doesn't have a breakout senior year, but I'm not sure I would let him get past me.

SP Joe Hancock: The best freshman pitcher in baseball happens to pitch for a team with two other aces. Hancock can't throw in the 90s like Jones and Gilliard, but he's still an excellent arm. He was 5-6 with a 3.06 ERA (146 ERA+), 1.12 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts in 100 innings pitched in his first college season. "Nutso" has brilliant control and an excellent change up and he very rarely gives up a long ball. He's overshadowed now with Jones and Gilliard in front of him, but don't be surprised if he has a huge Junior year when he's all by himself. Well, not completely, as another top freshman arm in lefty Jack Wood. He didn't get to pitch this year, but Wood also has big league potential himself.

C Bill Malachi: The team is really all pitching, but they have a valuable piece on offense in catcher Bill Malachi. He's going to be Jones and Gilliard's battery make for all three seasons as he's a sophomore as well. He has a nice .291/.407/.487 (130 OPS+) batting line with 3 homers and 23 RBI's in a nice sophomore season. He's got great plate discipline and it's really hard for pitchers to fool him. He makes good contact and will hit the occasional home run and pitchers seem to like throwing to him. He's not an excellent hitter, but he's a dependable hitter with a future as a major league catcher.