[ayaghmour2]

A rough 2-4 week after the nice 4-2 week and our Spring record is evened at .500. Mike Taylor had a strong week, launching a pair of homers while hitting an even .500 (6-for-12). Most of the bats hit well too, including John Kincaid's impressive 8-for-18 week with 2 doubles, a triple, and 6 runs both scored and driven in. Bill Ashbaugh got a minor sprained knee, going 4-for-6 with a double and RBI. His "platoon" partner Russ Combs was 4-for-9 with a solo shot. Looking at the part time guys, Carlos Montes and Rich Langton went 5-for-15 with a walk and RBI. Leo Mitchell was 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, and two runs scored. Chink Stickels, Ralph McLean, and Howard Moss combined to go 6-for-14, with McLean, the likely backup catcher, 2-for-2 with a walk, RBI, and run. Unfortunately, Ollie Page was 0-for-9 with a walk and run, but with Ashbaugh missing a few games Page may get a few more opportunities, but, he's likely set to open the season in AAA now. Tom Taylor had a rough week as well, just 2-for-14 with 2 RBI's, 3 runs, and 2 walks. Lou Kelly was just 4-for-15, but he did double.

On the mound, three of my starters gave up 7 or 8 runs and then other three gave up 1 or none. Let's start with Dave Rankin, who shook off the first awful start well. This time around he walked one and allowed thee hits with 3 strikeouts in a four inning win over the Kings. Another guy who had an awful first start, Hank Spencer, was dominant. I was ready to send him down to AAA, but with just a single hit and 3 strikeouts in a four inning outing, he threw himself back in the mix. Dick Lyons almost repeated his first start, 4 innings with 4 hits instead of three, a run, and 2 strikeouts instead of one. The other three Dick's had awful outings, with Leudtke allowing 7 hits and 7 runs with 2 strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Reid and Sexton both allowed 8 runs. Reid went just 1.2 with 5 hits, 4 walks, and a strikeout while Sexton went 2.2 with 6 hits, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts. I was really hoping both guys would have strong Springs, but Dick Reid has had a shaky first start and now awful second starts. He'll be bumped out of the rotation and will have to earn a pen spot.

With 7 games this week, I'll run with seven different starters. Rankin, Leudtke, Lyons, Spencer, and Sexton will all get another start, but I haven't decided on the last two. I'm leaning towards Gordie Thompson for one who allowed 4 hits and a walk with 4 strikeouts in 5.1 innings out of the pen. George Johnson also might get a shot, he's gone 4.2 with 2 hits, a run, a walk, and 2 strikeouts in his only appearance. At the half way point I'm also sending a few guys down, but we still have 49 of the 60 spots full.

EDIT: Managed to keep Dick Reid in the organization. He was sent back to the Stars, but then I traded for his rights by sending them A pitcher Joe Cotton. I do like Cotton, he throws gas just like Reid, but a 21 he's still more then a few years out and I think Reid is maybe a season away from being a decent big league starter.