[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-6
Seasonal Record: 27-21 (3rd, 5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Hank Barnett : 35 AB, 12 H, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .343 AVG, .825 OPS
Dick Walker : 36 AB, 9 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .250 AVG, .817 OPS
Leo Mitchell : 31 AB, 10 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .323 AVG, .866 OPS

Schedule
5-31: Loss at Wolves (0-6)
5-31: Loss at Wolves (1-5)
6-1: Loss at Wolves (5-6)
6-2: Win at Wolves (6-2)
6-3: Loss at Cannons (6-7): 12 innings
6-4: Loss at Cannons (3-4): 10 innings
6-5: Loss at Cannons (2-4)
6-6: Win at Cannons (10-4)
6-6: Win at Cannons (6-3)

Recap
We just cannot beat the Wolves... Now 1-7 against Toronto, we dropped to third as they leaped over us. We're still five games out of first, as the Cannons managed to get swept by the Stars before they took three of five from us. A 3-6 week is not what we needed, but we actually could have done worse. Harry Parker is finally back and healthy, giving our rotation a much needed boost. He'll take Ken Matson's spot on the active roster, who's last start as a Cougar didn't go too well. He allowed 9 hits and 6 runs with 2 walks and a strikeout in just 3.2 innings. He'll head down to Milwaukee with 53 big league innings in 18 appearances (5 starts), going 4-4 with 2 saves, a 4.75 ERA (70 ERA+), 1.60 WHIP, 33 walks, and 25 strikeouts. I was hoping he'd give us better innings, but he'll look to regain his form with the Blues. We have a few other moves, with Freddie Jones leaving, we'll be bringing up Eddie Curtis up from AAA. He's absolutely shredded AAA pitching, slashing .453/.482/.625 (205 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 7 steals, and 10 RBIs. Curtis was riding a 27 game hit streak, that will now have to be put on hold. Mike Taylor will be on the bus with him, completing his rehab and taking Steve Mountain's roster spot. Mountain hit just .140/.254/.160 (21 OPS+) as we've gotten little to no production from our catchers. Taylor, however, has raked in AAA, slashing .386/.471/.545 (181 OPS+) with 5 doubles and a triple. With Mead hitting below the Mendoza line, Taylor will get extra time until Mead can get it back together.

We didn't play very well, but we did get some great pitching from the young Johnnie Jones. He got our only win this season against the Wolves, a complete game victory with 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He wasn't as great against the Cannons, walking 10 in another complete game win, but he allowed just 2 hits with 3 strikeouts to improve to 5-2 on the season. His 3.70 ERA (90 ERA+) isn't great, but his 3.06 FIP (92 FIP-) paints a nicer pitcher and he's still walked (29) fewer then he struck out (31). The other win went to Jim Lonardo in our 10-4 win over the Cannons. He went all nine with 8 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), a walk, and a strikeout. He didn't do as good against the Wolves, going 8 with 10 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, and a strikeout. Joe Brown, however, had a rough pair of outings, losing to both the Cannons and the Wolves. He allowed 19 hits and 9 runs with 5 walks and 7 strikeouts in a pair of 8 inning starts. Dick Lyons picked up a no decision, but went 7.2 innings with 6 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), and 2 walks. Angel Lopez picked up a pair of losses, but his start actually wasn't that bad. He went 7 with 9 hits, 2 runs, and 4 walks. He also lost a relief outing, but he allowed 2 hits and a run in 2.1 innings pitched. Ben Curtin had himself a rough week, picking up two losses in four outings. He was charged with 9 hits and 6 runs (3 earned) with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. It's almost time for some rest, and I think the staff should be able to get back on track now that our terrible run of games is over.

The offense wasn't bad, but of course, Clark Car had a rough week in his first without Freddie Jones. He went just 8-for-41 with 2 doubles, a homer, 2 RBIs, and 6 runs scored. Most of the lineup did well, including our right field platoon. Rich Langton went 8-for-19 with 4 doubles, a steal, and 5 RBIs. Cliff Moss went 9-for-25 with a homer, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs. Their outfield counterpart Leo Mitchell did well too, 10-for-31 with 2 doubles, a homer, and 3 RBIs. He did strike out 9 times, but he upped his WRC+ to 142 and he's on pace for nearly 100 RBIs. Hank Barnett went 12-for-35 with 2 doubles, 3 runs, 4 RBIs, and 5 walks. Dick Walker went 9-for-36, but with 2 triples, 2 homers, 5 runs, 6 RBIs, and another steal. Even Harry Mead got in on the fun, 7-for-25 with 2 doubles, a homer, and 4 RBIs. Hopefully next week the offense will turn into runs, as we lost three one run games, with two of them in extras.

Looking Ahead
Our insufferable run of way too many games in not enough days comes to an end in Philly, with just a single game in Philadelphia before a much needed off day. The Sailors are two games behind us, now 24-22 on the season. For some reason Paul Richardson is now the next pitcher the Sailors rescue, as the 28-year-old castaway from the Cannons own a 1.64 ERA (211 ERA+) and 0.76 WHIP in 13 walks and 18 strikeouts. Of course, that's who we have to face, but lucky for us the Sailors can't score any runs for him. He's just 1-1, and that one win came in a 3-hit shutout over the Stars. In fact, he's allowed just 1 earned run or fewer six of his eight starts. The Sailors do lead the CA in batting average, getting a lot of hits from Joseph Mills (.364, 1, 14), Harvey Brown (.315, 20, 3), and Marion Boismenu (.301, 2, 10). This is a game we really need to win, and I trust Harry Parker to deliver.

We finally return to home for the first time since May 23rd, and at 7-8 since, unless we win the game against the Sailors this homestand will come off a losing road trip. We'll host the Kings in a weird five game series, with an off day on Friday and a double header on Sunday. Brooklyn had a rough 12-21 May, and are now 22-25 and nearly 10 games behind the Cannons. We'll get a chance to see breakout rookie Jim Kenny, a former 2nd Round Pick off to a great start to his young career. In 8 starts, Kenny is 4-2 with a 2.69 ERA (128 ERA+), 1.18 WHIP, 15 walks, and 9 strikeouts. He was recently named Rookie of the Month, going 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. With him, Art White (2-5, 2.80, 23) and Jim Crawford (5-5, 2.49, 16) all pitching well they may be able to keep runs off the board against us. We should be able to keep their bats in check, and they're weaker with the injury to their most productive hitter Vince D'Alessandro (.315, 8) heading to the IL with shoulder inflammation. Al Wheeler (.244, 7, 25) has been good, but not his great self, while Harry Barrell (.253, 20, 3) isn't hitting much at all. These are much win games, as I hope we can take advantage of a struggling Kings team to jump right back into the race.

Minor League Report
RF Chick Browning (AAA Milwaukee Blues): While May was great for Chick Browning, June hasn't been great. Not only did he hit .150/.261/.200 this week, but he's dealing with recurring back spasms and will miss about five weeks. This all comes after Browning was named Batter of the Month in the Century League, slashing .316/.439/.602 with 8 doubles, a triple, 6 homers, and 23 RBIs with twice as many walks (23) as strikeouts (11). The setback is tough for the 25-year-old, who may have replaced a struggling Bunny Hufford on the big league roster. Browning has hit an impressive .280/.391/.512 (149 OPS+) in 151 trips to the plate. The lefty has a really nice bat, projecting to hit around .300 with good strike zone recognition and potentially plus power. As long as he's healthy in September, he'll get a chance to add to his 3 big league PAs, but if Moss or Langton got hurt, he'd have been in line for an earlier callup.

LHP Johnny Ruby (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Despite the red arrow pointing down all season long, Johnny Ruby has done nothing but dominate Century League pitchers. Ruby was a perfect 5-0 with a 1.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP,1 6 walks, and 32 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched. That's an impressive 8.1 K/9, even higher then his 7.7 in 76.1 innings with A Lincoln back in 1939. These are surprising numbers for the 27-year-old, who spent each of the last two seasons in AA, and they were really nothing more then average. I can't see him keeping up Papenfus-esque strikeout numbers, and since he shares his control too, any drop of strikeouts will really hurt his effectiveness. He's great against lefties, which will work nice in an eventual pen role, as I don't think he'll ever start games for us.

RHP Bill Tuttle (AA Mobile Commodores): It was a great month for the 24-year-old, who went 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 9 walks, and 23 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched. That was good enough to take home Pitcher of the Month, and while his four game win streak was just snapped, he's now 4-2 with a 2.83 ERA (162 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 14 walks, and 31 strikeouts. Tuttle was placed on the 40 last offseason, and numbers like this could help him make his big league debut. A decent three pitch pitcher, his cutter, change, and splitter are all quality offerings, and he sits consistently in the mid 90s. He does run into issues with the longball, and he's very susceptible to homers. Despite that, Tuttle has been consistently above average in the minors, with an ERA+ above 100 in each of his last 8 stints of 25 innings or more. He's also maintained a K/9 above 4.5 since 1941 as he misses a lot of bats. The issues with command may stop him from starting frequently, but he's a good depth option who could get a few outs for us out of the pen at some point this season.

3B Danny Richardson (A Lincoln Legislators): June 4th was a crazy extra inning game for Lincoln and Terre Haute, and despite the performance from Danny Richardson, the Legislators came short 13-8 in 15 innings pitched. Richardson was 5-for-7 with a walk, double, run, and RBI, but it wasn't enough to capture the win. We're hoping this is the start of something more from the 23-year-old from Elgin, as he's hitting just .220/.340/.371 (84 OPS+) on the season. The former 3rd Rounder does have 8 doubles, 4 homers, and 16 RBIs with near equal walks (22) and strikeouts (23), but he isn't having a great time in his first taste of A ball. Once projected as a future starter, Richardson is now more of an after thought in our pool of prospects. His only plus tool right now is his eye, and while he is a line drive hitter, we don't see much power coming from him. He's running out of chances to play every day, and without the war, Richardson may have been relegated to a bench or part time role.

2B Bob Griffen (C La Crosse Lions): He just keeps on hitting! It was a great month for Bob Griffen, who is just a week away from celebrating his 21st birthday. The Lions second basemen hit an impressive .351/.447/.629 during his 23 games in May with 7 doubles, a triple, 6 homers, 3 steals, and 30 RBIs. It's been a big season overall for Griffen, who has hit .339/.431/.629 (151 OPS+) at a 37 home run and 157 RBI pace. A 16th Rounder from 1940, Griffen's bat has given him a shot to earn playing time, and with the draft later this month he'll end up making his way up to San Jose. I'm not sure the power will stay with him as he moves up our system, but he should always carry a high batting average and on base percentage. He's actually looked okay defensively at second this year, but I'm not sure he'll be better then average at the keystone. That being said, his bat should make up for it, and as long as he keeps hitting, he'll keep getting every day at bats.

RHP George Oddo (C La Crosse Lions): We swept the awards in both the Century League and the UMVA, and the winner down here was righty George Oddo. One of our top prospects now, Oddo ranks 4th in our system and 60th Overall. Despite making it up to San Jose last season, Oddo started the year with a red arrow and went to La Crosse. His May was enough to shake that off, going a perfect 5-0 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 17 walks, and 31 strikeouts. His one start in June wasn't anything good, but Oddo finished was will hopefully be his last starts in La Crosse, going 5-1 with a 3.57 ERA (152 ERA+), 1.49 WHIP, 20 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched. The hard worker has thrown harder this season, with his velo up to 88-90, and at 6'4'' I think there is still more speed left in his arm. His stuff is really good, featuring a plus-plus change and knee-buckling curve to compliment his fastball. He's not overpowering, more of a finesse guy, but he has put up decent strike out numbers so far. I think his ceiling will continue to rise as he develops, and I think he could turn into a decent middle of the rotation arm. Tom Weinstock isn't sold yet, but he has started giving him kinder words in each of his newer scouting reports. Our system is a bit weak at the top, as in most seasons Oddo wouldn't be one of our top 5 guys, but I'm really excited to see how he keeps up his season. Hoping for A ball at the end is probably too much, but I think he should really settle in for San Jose.

SS Pete Hunter (C La Crosse Lions): A 22nd Round Pick of the Dynamos two seasons ago, Pete Hunter spent just a week in their system before he was handed his walking papers. He joined us last July and spent some time on the Lions bench, going 4-for-15 in 19 games. Due to all the enlistments over the Winter, we were left really thin in the lower levels, so Hunter had to fill in at short this season. He's off to a tremendous start that only a foot contusion could stop, hitting .333/.534/.556 (161 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 4 steals, and 15 RBIs with an impressive 27 walks. Don't get me started on his Player of the Week award, where he was just 6-for-9 with 5 RBIs and 8 runs scored in 14 trips to the plate, but he has been wonderful this season. I'm hoping this week or so absence won't slow him down, but with a lot of more exciting prospects coming from the draft, Hunter may be seeing his playing time disappear. His versatility should help, but my guess is the nice start is just a fluke, and Hunter will come back to earth as the year progresses.