SJL:
The middle of the pack in the SJL remains very competitive, with only a 3 1/2 game difference between 4th place El Paso (54-47) and 8th place Washington (50-50). And with Columbus leading the league by 5 games as we enter August, it isn't as though plenty of teams couldn't still get into contention with the top 3 (Columbus, Jacksonville, Boston). There were also several tightly contested contests between teams in this middle range of the SJL this week, but we will focus on the Tuesday game between the then 5th place El Paso Dawgs and the 6th place Pittsburgh Roadrunners. Pittsburgh prevailed in this one and they have won 8 of their last 10. Although they remain in 6th place at this time they look like a team on the move upwards. One big reason is their 27-year old right fielder Bill Winchester, who is emerging as one of the superstars of the league, and clubbed his 19th homer of the season in this one. Also contributing is former Brewer Justin Bismark. Bismark, who was the Brewers first round draft pick in 1966 (16th overall), has had an up-and-down career, with a fine season in 1975 for Jacksonville, but great struggles in 1976. He is bouncing back this year as the Pittsburgh closer, having saved 17 games (though with 5 blown saves as well.)
MGL:
While it might be a stretch to call the Wednesday evening game between the last place Phoenix Speed Devils and the 3rd place Brooklyn Aces the game of the week, it is no stretch to call it the most shocking result of the week. Phoenix sent 29-year old Marty O'Brien to the mound, with his 2-4 record and 7.36 ERA against two-time Pitcher of the Year and Triple Crown ace Aaron McNally in Brooklyn. So a result of 4-0 doesn't seem out of line, EXCEPT that it was Phoenix with the 4 and Brooklyn with the zilch. Once again McNally deserved better as his 7-5 record does not accurately reflect his dominance this season. As for O'Brien, well, every dog has his day I guess. Granted, he only got through 6 2/3rds and needed help from the bullpen to preserve the shutout (especially former Brewer Steve LaCoste, who worked a fine 1 and a third innings.) And he walked 5 batters while giving up 4 hits and striking out 6. Not a masterpiece maybe, but certainly the best start of O'Brien's season thus far.
While Phoenix remains the worst team in the game, they have actually been playing better of late, having won 7 of their last 10. Their historically bad pitching staff, while still historically bad, has managed to bring the team ERA down to 7.01, which, if you have been following along here you will know is actually an improvement from earlier in the season.