[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-3
Seasonal Record: 78-64 (t-2nd, 1.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
John Lawson : 33 AB, 18 H, 4 HR, 15 RBI, .545 AVG, 1.549 OPS
Carlos Montes : 40 AB, 16 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .400 AVG, .915 OPS
Ray Ford : 35 AB, 13 H, 0 HR, 9 RBI, .371 AVG, .920 OPS

Schedule
9-9: Win vs Saints (2-13)
9-10: Loss vs Cannons (6-4): 10 innings
9-11: Loss vs Cannons (10-8): 11 innings
9-12: Win vs Sailors (2-9)
9-13: Win vs Sailors (2-7)
9-14: Win vs Sailors (1-7)
9-15: Win vs Foresters (3-13)
9-15: Loss vs Foresters (11-10)

Recap
We were so close to a perfect week, starting off with a destruction of the Saints, before back-to-back extra inning losses to the now first place Cannons. At least we didn't blow both, we actually acme back in both, and we were actually losing on the 11th 8-0 before scoring 5 in the last two innings. We then took out our anger on the Sailors before splitting the double header against the Foresters. The win was by ten, the loss a single run, and while I usually complain about how terrible we are in one run games, but at least we're 18-20 instead of 10-30. Just a game and a half out, we're still in it, but the Cannons are in the driver seat. Their magic number is 12, and what could be helpful for us is they play six games against the Wolves, and if they beat up on each other we have a chance to seize control of the lead.

As surprising as it may be, the offense was super this week. It's not very surprising John Lawson had a great week, especially after an awful one last week. He was unstoppable on his way to another Player of the Week. The 7-Time All Star was 18-for-33 with 2 doubles, 4 homers, 14 runs, and 15 RBIs. This shot Lawson back in the lead for the CA Batting Title, slashing .353/.405/.526 (154 OPS+) on the season. He's two homers away from 20 and has drove in 108 in 142 games. He wasn't the only one with an outstanding week, as Ray Ford went 13-for-35 with 5 doubles, 7 runs, and 9 RBIs. Carlos Montes was always on base, 16-for-40 with a double, homer, walk, 3 steals, 10 runs, and 6 RBIs. Skipper Schneider had a needed bounce back week, 11-for-31 with a double, 8 runs, and 4 RBIs. Our catching duo was on target as well, 11-for-32 with a double, triple, 9 runs, and 8 RBIs. Leo Mitchell didn't have a great week, just 11-for-34, but he had a huge 5-hit game in the first game of our double header with the Foresters. He doubled, drove in two, and scored three in our 13-3 win. Orlin Yates had a rough week, just 1-for-15 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 4 walks. He's had a tough August and September, hitting just .143 with 5 doubles and 11 RBIs. This has dropped his season line to .242/.352/.324 (87 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, 4 steals, and 24 RBIs. The run scoring was outstanding, and I really hope we can keep it up for the rest of the month.

All 11 of our pitchers threw at least an inning this week, partly because of the injury to Pete Papenfus. His first start was amazing, 8 hits, 2 runs, 8 walks, and 7 strikeouts in a complete game win, before leaving after just 8 pitches in his second one. It was just a dead arm, and he'll be fine for his next start, but Allen Purvis was outstanding in relief as we beat the Sailors 7-1. Purvis went 6.2 innings with just a hit and a walk to take home the win. Joe Brown had another strong start, a complete game win with 7 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Harry Parker had a similar outing, a complete game win as well with 8 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 2 strikeouts. Dick Lyons was roughed up in his two starts, just 8 innings combined with 15 hits, 15 runs, 6 walks, and a strikeout. He got a pair of no decisions, but we lost both of those outings. This ballooned his ERA to 3.57 (107 ERA+) and his WHIP to 1.21, but he's still 17-8 on the season. Jim Lonardo cooled off, getting a 9 inning win and a 10 inning loss. He allowed 27 hits, 9 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. In the pen, Dick Strunk had a pair of relief outings, 6 innings with 2 hits, a run, walk, and 5 strikeouts. Rusty Watts got a big unlucky, picking up a pair of losses with 4 innings, 5 hits, 5 runs (1 earned), 3 walks, and a strikeout. As long as Lyons and Lonardo turn things around, our pitching should help keep us in any game.

Looking Ahead
We have just two off days the rest of the way; one to start the week and one after our two game series with the Wolves. Toronto has one more in New York, so we'll be rested while they aren't. They're tied with us at 78-64, but regardless of the result, we won't be tied once the series starts or end. The Wolves offense has scored the most runs in the CA, and Fred McCormick has been red hot. The Reticent Reaper is still making a case to take home another Whitney, now hitting .340/.427/.506 (145 OPS+) with 38 doubles, 11 triples, 10 homers, 7 steals, and 84 RBIs. He hasn't had the most help, but Charlie Artuso is continuing his breakout season, slashing .291/.356/.424 (105 OPS+) with 40 doubles, 8 triples, 3 homers, 74 RBIs, and an elite 23.1 zone rating and 1.115 efficiency at short. The only Wolf other then McCormick hitting better then him is Reginald Westfall, who's slashing .300/.382/.441 (117 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, and 26 RBIs. Tom Frederick has cooled off a bit, but Mr. Versatility is hitting an average .293/.357/.416 (104 OPS+) with 14 doubles and 44 RBIs. The top three in the rotation is still impressive, led by Joe Hancock. The 27-year-old is 15-11 with a 3.44 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, 65 walks, and 124 strikeouts. Bernie Johnson has been better, 15-11 with a 3.13 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 42 walks, and 63 strikeouts. George Garrison is having similar success, 14-15 with a 3.27 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, 64 walks, and 107 strikeouts. This will be a tough series, and either of us could kiss our playoff chances good bye if we let the other sweep us.

After the off day we'll host the fourth place Stars for three. They are 74-66, but 4.5 games out of first. Their rotation has been stellar, all five with ERAs below 3.75. The highest is Billy Riley, who is 15-12 with a 3.72 ERA (105 ERA+), 1.40 WHIP, 69 walks, and 93 strikeouts. Lou Robertson has struggled a bit, 8 runs allowed in three of his last four starts. He's still having a great season, 10-6 with a 3.12 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.42 WHIP, 56 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 18 impressive starts. George Phillips has been leading the line, 14-12 with a 3.39 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.40 WHIP, 85 walks, and 98 strikeouts in his third straight 200 inning season. It will be hard to score off their rotation, and they have a strong 3-4-5 in the lineup. Dave Trowbridge is continuing to challenge John Lawson for the batting title, slashing .349/.408/.492 (141 OPS+) with 37 doubles, a triple, 11 homers, and 55 RBIs. He bats before Big Bad Billy and Chink Stickels, who are two of the top outfielders in the league. Barrett is hitting .316/.380/.492 (133 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 10 triples, 12 homers, and 87 RBIs while Stickels has slashed .287/.353/.472 (120 OPS+) with 27 doubles, 22 triples, 11 homers, 9 steals, and 99 RBIs. If we can tip toe around them, we have a chance to win a few pitchers duels, but this will be a tough, potentially season defining week.

Minor League Report
The minor league season officially ended today, and over the weekend I will have a special Minor League Report covering each team and some of the players that had the most impact for the team. All our affiliates had a winning record, but just San Jose brought home a title. I didn't have one yesterday (wanted to get my post up before I had to leave home) and I won't have a regular one today. Instead, I will do a report on each player joining us for the rest of the season. Billy Hunter's recover is unknown, so he'll remain on the DL, with five new faces joining the roster.

LF Fred Vargas: Acquired along with the Gothams 2nd Round Pick in the Leon Drake deal, I played former first rounder Fred Vargas strictly out in right field, a position he had only 55 innings at previously. The results weren't great, a .932 fielding percentage, -3.7 zone rating, and .945 efficiency, but considering he's pretty bad in left too, I can't really complain with the early results. What is a bit more concerning is the fact that the 22-year-old hit just .220/.353/.390 (96 OPS+) in his 174 plate appearances. He did have 5 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers, and 18 RBIs and walked (30) twice as much as he struck out (15), but this is a guy Tom thinks will hit .290 in the big leagues. His plate discipline is definitely elite, and I like the boost in power, but he won't displace Orlin Yates or Rich Langton if he can't at least hit around .275. Still, there is a lot to like. Tom thinks he profiles as an everyday player who "can make an impact on a top-tier team" while the prospect pickers have him 9th in our system and 90th overall. Unless we fall out of the race, I doubt Vargas makes a start, but he could be a nice lefty pinch hitter off the bench when we need someone to get on base. His time with the Gothams didn't go well, hitting just .149/.344/.149 (38 OPS+) in 26 games, but it will be hard to do worse then that. He's still got a lot of developing to go, but he's one of our most polished young outfielders and he could end up as an everyday player before he turns 25.

3B Nick Wallace: Signed as a minor league free agent, Nick Wallace spent September in Milwaukee, and hit .370/.433/.370 (114 OPS+) with 3 walks and 3 RBIs in 30 PAs for the Blues. A fan favorite, Wallace is one of those guys that is a hit with the kid, always willing to sign autographs for fans, and I think he'll give a boost to clubhouse atmosphere and attendance. The 32-year-old has had a productive big league career, appearing in 846 games and hitting an almost average .308/.350/.402 (99 OPS+) with 157 doubles, 42 homers, and 398 RBIs. 711 of his games came with the Wolves from 1935-1939 where he was a mainstay in the lineup. Tom thinks he's an above average big league third basemen, I'd say that's a bit too generous, but he's another nice bench bat for the stretch run who likely won't make a start. He wasn't on the 40, so he took the 37th spot.

2B Stu Johnson: A former 7th Rounder, the 26-year-old infielder will finally get his last name on the back of a Cougar jersey. Sure, he could have bought a George Johnson, John Johnson, Joe Johnson, or Johnny Johnson jersey to accomplish that, but this time it will be one he can wear in a big league game. It's been a slow climb up the ladder, and while he made it to Milwaukee last season, he hit just .164/.299/.291 (55 OPS+) in the 17 game sample. This year went much better, as Stu hit .285/.370/.422 (109 OPS+) with 27 doubles, 3 triples, 9 homers, and 65 RBIs. He displayed an impressive eye, as he has done a great job working the count. He does occasionally let that discipline drift a bit, leading to a decent amount of strike outs, and sometimes the best of pitches will fool him. He's also an outstanding defensive shortstop, earning a 7.2 zone rating and 1.044 efficiency at the keystone. He's able to handle third and short as well, with 160+ games at each position. He's more of a bench piece then anything, but he'll get his first shot to prove he belongs in the big leagues. He's also not on the 40, and will take up the 38th spot.

RHP Grover Donahue: He didn't have the best season for the Blues, but the 26-year-old will work out of the pen for the last two weeks in Chicago. The former 2nd Rounder went 13-9 with a 4.34 ERA (93 ERA+), 1.51 WHIP, 83 walks, and 42 strikeouts. A bit of a soft tosser, Donahue sits in the 84-86 range and mixes in six different pitches. His splitter is a decent pitch, but none of the other five inspire much confidence. Walks were a bit of an issue for him, recording a 3.8 BB/9, but it was his first season above 3. He projects as a solid bullpen contributor, and may have well started his last game this season.

CF John Johnson: I debated a bit on the last callup, but with two guys on the 60, I didn't want to add anyone else to the 40, so instead of Harl Haines, we'll see John Johnson. He missed some time with injury, but the 26-year-old (seems like all these guys are 26!) hit an outstanding .276/.406/.469 (130 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 10 triples, 5 homers, 7 steals, and 34 RBIs in 315 trips to the plate. Johnson debuted this season for us, and the former 3rd Rounder went 3-for-13 with 3 walks and 4 runs scored. He's a capable center fielder, which helped him get the nod over Earl, and can handle both outfield corners as well as first. He has good speed, a good eye, and is a good defender, but he hits too many grounders and not enough extra base hits. A decent option as a 4th outfielder, but not someone you want starting regularly for you. He is a hard worker, and definitely earned a spot on the team, but he better enjoy each additional inning as he may not have too many more.

I do have some cuts to deal with in the offseason, as at least one 40 spot will be needed to be freed up for Haines, so the last few weeks will work as sort of an early addition for some of the fringe roster players. It's hard to give them too many looks in a pennant race, but with a bad week, we may have to focus on 1941. Even if we come up short, it's been a really great season for us, and it's been one of the most exciting pennant races in the CA.