[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-3
Seasonal Record: 48-67 (6th, 27.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Ollie Page : 28 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .357 AVG, 1.007 OPS
Rich Langton : 27 AB, 9 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .333 AVG, .852 OPS
Doc Love : 23 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .391 AVG, 1.003 OPS

Schedule
8-10: Win at Toronto (9-4)
8-11: Win at Toronto (8-7)
8-12: Loss at Toronto (2-3)
8-14: Win at Foresters (3-2)
8-15: Loss at Foresters (4-5): 11 innings
8-16: Loss at Foresters (2-13)

Recap
Pretty decent week, going 3-3 with a series win against the Wolves. We stole a game from the Foresters, almost got a second, but they're now three and a half behind the 76-40 Kings. Hardin Bates' third start was much better, and he kept the Foresters in check for 6 innings in the 3-2 win. He allowed 4 hits, 2 runs, and 5 walks with 3 strikeouts. He didn't factor in the decision, but Allen Purvis tossed 3 scoreless with just 3 hits to get the win. It wasn't the only impressive pitching outing, as Milt Fritz tossed two strong starts. He had an 8 inning and 10 inning start, with 18 hits, 8 runs, 6 walks, and three strikeouts. He won one and got a no decision in the extra inning outing. Fritz is up to 15 wins on the season and could reach 20 for the second time in his career.

Ollie Page kept up his hot streak and was 10-for-28 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 3 RBI's, and 5 runs scored. Doc Love had a strong week as well, 9-for-23 with a double, triple, four runs, and four walks. Not many other good performances, but Langton, Ford, Lawson, and all hit home runs. Langton is up to eight and barring another injury, seems like a lock for double digits in year two. I'm hoping he surpasses the 11 from last season, but it will be close. Lawson is three away from 20 which would be his most since 1930 when he hit 28. He's started to cool down a bit recently too, so I'm expecting another hot streak is right around the corner.

Looking Ahead
Off to start the week, but we'll head to Philadelphia to prepare for three with the Sailors. They're 70-45, but now five and a half behind the Kings for first. They're hanging in there and most definitely should not be counted out. They have made a pitching change, sending Chicagoan Oscar Morse to the pen in favor of southpaw Walt Wells. A 6th Round Pick in 1926, Wells debuted last year and relieved his first 77 games. He got a start against the Wolves on the 14th, but allowed 6 (5 earned) in 8 innings to drop to 10-4. This year he has 12 saves with a 3.12 ERA (153 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, 13 walks, and 20 strikeouts. The 28-year-old is a three pitch pitcher with a nice low to mid 90s fastball and a "ground ball machine" because of how he mixes in his slider and curve. Looks to be a nod to his stuff, but between this and last season Wells has really improved his control. We'll see how it holds up in the rotation, but Philly is always good with picking pitching. The staff has gotten a lot of help from the bat of Bobby Bond, who's hitting an impressive .354/.411/.540 (134 OPS+) with 6 homers and 53 RBI's in 304 trips to the plate. He's bounced back nice from a rough 1935 and has really shown he deserves to start. I kept thinking he would stop hitting and yet he keeps on going.

We finish the week back home to host the 72-43 Foresters. We might luck out and miss Dean Astle, who has won more games then anyone else in the Continental Association this year. He's 17-11 with a 3.56 ERA (134 ERA+), 1.28 WHIP, 52 walks, and 68 strikeouts in 217.2 innings pitched. I never regret trading Astle, it got me Kincaid and a championship, but if only the Gothams didn't include him in the Joe Perret package... Then I wouldn't have to deal with him being so good. Of course, other then the struggling Turner, there is no easy draw in the rotation. We have not been hitting and I do not expect that to change this week.

Minor League Report
LF Leo Mitchell (AAA Milwaukee Blues): I hate how he's stuck in AAA... Another Player of the Week after a 16-31 week with 8 driven in. He's up to .378/.421/.514 (145 OPS+) on the season with 3 homers, 7 steals, and 49 RBI's across 347 trips to the plate. He's still not great in left, but it's only 73 games. He'll be back up in September, and I'll be playing him at both first and left while moving other guys around. I really want the outfield thing to work, but if not, he'll always have a space at first. I know Ray Ford can be okay out in left, but I'm really hoping Mitchell can at least be good.

RHP Harry Parker (AA Mobile Commodores): It only took three starts in Mobile before Harry Parker picked up his first complete game shutout. He allowed just 3 hits and 3 walks and picked up a strikeout in a 5-0 victory. Parker continues to be awesome and the prospect prognosticators keep giving him more love. He's up to 10th in our system and 74th in the league and I'm loving every bit of it. The towering righty is 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA (129 ERA+), 1.09 WHIP, 10 walks, and 8 strikeouts in his first 25.2 innings pitched. I love everything about him, all six of his pitches, the height, the 92 mile per hour fastball, and the extreme flyball tendencies.

**Checks notes**

Extreme flyball? Well, everyone has a flaw...

Thankfully, with the lessening of the home run factor, chances are it won't really matter if he gives up a lot of flyballs. Sure, the home runs are going to suck, but in the minors he's kept his HR/9 below 1 at each level. His changeup is amazing, his slider has great break, and he mixes his pitches well enough to keep batters off guard. He relies on finesse, not power, which may work out better for him. If he can force soft contact to hitters, the flyball tendency may be a plus as our outfield is big enough that a good center fielder (like Cy Bryant) can really benefit his future success.