[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 4-3
Seasonal Record: 77-71 (4th, 7 GB)
Stars of the Week
John Lawson : 27 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .407 AVG, 1.108 OPS
Rich Langton : 31 AB, 11 H, 0 HR, 8 RBI, .355 AVG, .891 OPS
Leo Mitchell : 31 AB, 10 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .323 AVG, .944 OPS

Schedule
9-25: Loss vs Kings (2-0)
9-26: Loss vs Saints (5-2)
9-27: Win vs Saints (2-9)
9-28: Loss vs Saints (8-5)
9-29: Win vs Wolves (9-2)
9-30: Win vs Wolves (7-6): 12 innings
10-1: Win vs Wolves (4-3)

Recap
Another 4 win week! That's our new thing! Well, just six games left in the regular season, and since we are seven games out, that means we officially cannot make the postseason. Since we have 77 wins, even if we lose the rest of our games, we'll finish an even .500. A disappointing season none the less, but at least we can't finish below .500! And we swept the Wolves! With two one run wins! The biggest news of the week, however, had nothing to do with wins and losses, it was all about John Lawson! He was just 1-for-3 in our 4-3 win, but that one hit (a single) was a monumental one for Lawson; his 2,500th career hit. "Jack the Ripper" did it in 8,029 plate appearances, and has hit an outstanding .345/.398/.508 (144 OPS+) with 458 doubles, 40 triples, 214 homers, and 1,301 RBIs. This year has technically been his worst in terms of OPS+, but his .324/.390/.487 (128 OPS+) line is still well above average, and he added 32 doubles, 3 triples, 20 homers, and 98 RBIs.

Lawson had the best week on the offense, 11-for-27 with a homer and 5 RBIs, but he did have a little help. Mike Taylor had a nice win, 8-for-19 with 3 doubles and 4 RBIs. Rich Langton was 11-for-31 with a double, 2 triples, a steal, 4 runs, and 8 RBIs. Leo Mitchell was 10-for-31 with 5 doubles, a homer, 5 RBIs, and 7 runs scored. Ford, Jones, and Hunter all struggled, combining to go 19-for-84, although Jones and Ford both homered.

Del Burns had a pair of good starts to kick off his big league career, but he'll still be looking for his first big league win. His first start was a complete game with 7 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts, but he was tagged with the loss. His second was in our 7-6 win over the Wolves, but he went just seven in the no decision. He allowed 11 hits, 6 runs (3 earned), and 4 walks with 3 strikeouts. He'll get just one more start before the season ends, and he'll have a chance to earn a starting role out of camp next season. Harry Parker tossed a pair of complete games, a loss to the Saints and a win against the Wolves. He allowed 15 hits, 8 runs, and 8 walks with 8 strikeouts. On the season, he's made 29 starts, and will hit 30 for hopefully the first of many times in a long career. Dick Lyons had another good start, 8.1 innings with 3 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks to improve to 12-14. Jim Lonardo was a bit unlucky in his start, 11 hits, 6 runs (2 earned), and 2 strikeouts in an 8 inning loss. Milt Fritz had a bad start, but got the win, 8 innings with 8 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 3 walks, and 4 strikeouts. He's likely to finish the season with a below average ERA+, but he hit double digit wins (13) for the fourth time as a Cougar.

Lastly, Bill Ashbaugh officially announced his retirement from baseball. He didn't play in the big leagues this season, but got 112 plate appearances in Newark and three more in Milwaukee. The 35-year-old will end his career with a .307/.373/.485 (135 OPS+) batting line with 185 doubles, 113 triples, 136 homers, 86 steals, and 814 RBIs. I'm hoping he takes the managerial route, and would love to add him to our staff. He was my first draft pick, and if it wasn't for injuries, probably would have been a long time Cougar star. Instead, his peak ended at 29, and all his full seasons were good at the plate.

Looking Ahead
We get our last off day of the season before our last road game of the season. We get three with the Sailors, who are 78-70 and just one day away from being eliminated just like we were. Doc Newell turned things around a little, now 15-9 with a 4.64 ERA (94 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 80 walks, and 62 strikeouts in what could be another 250 inning season. Herb Flynn won't hit that mark, but his 235.1 innings have been much more effective. He's 15-14 with a 3.86 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.44 WHIP, 99 walks, and 77 strikeouts. The offense has been a bit better, including Joe Watson, who is having a nice little breakout. He's hit .349/.416/.535 (138 OPS+) with 42 doubles, 17 triples, 10 homers, and 87 RBIs. Dick Walker set a career best 124 walks, while hitting .266/.401/.440 (112 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 13 triples, 14 homers, 24 steals, and 75 RBIs in another complete season. Woody Stone is in striking distance of 100 RBIs, hitting .327/.370/.441 (104 OPS+) with 38 doubles, 4 homers, and 94 RBIs. Bob Smith is a homer away from double digits again, hitting a decent .303/.391/.437 (108 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 4 triples, 9 homers, and 80 RBIs. It was a decent season for the Sailors, and while third was where most people predicted them to finish, it was thought they'd be closer to first and second then they ended up.

We finish at home, with a three game series with the 68-80 Wolves. Fred McCormick might not hit .400, but his .394/.494/.668 (191 OPS+) batting line is easily the best in the league. He added in 39 doubles, 13 triples, 11 steals, 28 homers, 119 RBIs, and 116 walks while being worth almost 9 wins above replacement. Yes, I know I should have traded for him, but I don't think I could get over trading Harry Parker. Former Cougar draftee Reginald Westfall has started to turn things around, hitting .324/.416/.448 (118 OPS+) with 22 doubles, 5 homers, and 66 RBIs. George Garrison has been pitching better too, despite his 7-12 record. His 4.06 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.46 WHIP, 64 walks, and 70 strikeouts are nice for a guy who will turn 22 later in October, and I know next year he's going to get even better. I'd love to sweep them yet again, but as long as we at least split the week, I'll be happy.