[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 1-6
Seasonal Record: 61-40 (2nd, 3 GB)
Stars of the Week
None Generated

Schedule
7-26: Loss at Sailors (3-5)
7-28: Loss at Cannons (3-8)
7-29: Loss at Cannons (1-8)
7-30: Loss at Cannons (3-8)
7-31: Loss at Wolves (0-4)
8-1: Win at Wolves (2-0): 10 innings
8-1: Loss at Wolves (4-5)

Recap
Well, it was fun while it lasted! An awful week as we dropped the finale for the Sailors before getting swept by the Cannons. They scored 8 runs in each game and walked all over us, a complete 180 compared to our series with them in Chicago. We then dropped two of three in Toronto, picking up just two wins in our last nine games. The rough start of the week ruined our impressive July, as last week we were 20-5, and we finished the month 20-10. The Cannons are up three on us and the Wolves 2.5 games further behind us. We need to get back on track ASAP, and since our road trip is about to end, I can see our fortunes starting to change.

The offense was atrocious this week, and the only bat with even a small semblance of production was Dick Walker. Our leadoff man went 8-for-27 with 2 doubles, a homer, and 4 RBIs. He was also named Batter of the Month in the Continental Association, slashing .283/.381/.522 (160 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 triples, 4 homers, 3 steals, and 18 RBIs with an elite 19-to-3 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Walker is having one of his best seasons at 36, slashing .276/.382/.454 (142 OPS+) with 18 doubles, 10 triples, 10 homers, 17 steals, and 47 RBIs. Skipper was the closest to not sucking, 4-for-19 with 5 walks and 2 steals. Car, Mead, Barnett, Hunter, and Yates all struggled, combining to go 20-for-122 with just four extra base hits. I'll blame it all on my daily lineups not working, as none of what I really wanted happened during the week. Adding Dan Fowler should help, but perhaps we needed something more to keep pace with the Cannons.

The pitching wasn't any better, and Johnnie Jones finally had his consecutive complete game victory streak snapped. He was hit hard by the Cannons, going 6.1 innings with 6 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), 7 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Despite the awful start, he still took both Pitcher and Rookie of the Month, going 5-1 with a 1.58 ERA (215 ERA+), 1.13 WHIP, 27 walks, and 27 strikeouts. Johnnie is having an excellent rookie season, now 13-3 with a 2.30 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.20 WHIP, 71 walks, and 68 strikeouts through 136.2 innings pitched. Art White also struggled with Cincy, allowing 9 hits and 8 runs with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Dick Lyons did better, 6 innings with 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 4 walks, and a strikeout in a no decision. He struggled with the Wolves though, tagged with a loss in 6 with 10 hits and 5 runs on short rest. Jim Lonardo wasn't great either, but better then the previous three, going 8 with 10 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and a strikeout. Joe Brown picked up the only win, going all 10 in a 2-0 shutout over the Wolves. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. He lost his first start up in Philly, going 8.1 with 8 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Ben Curtin had a rough week in the pen, allowing 10 hits, 5 runs, and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. I expect better results from our staff next week, but we have to get back on track quickly to stay in the race.

Looking Ahead
We can still at least split the series with the Wolves, as even though we're off to start the week and then two days after, we still have one more with the Wolves in Toronto. Because of us they're now 57-41, and chances are we're going to have to deal with Joe Hancock (11-7, 2.64, 70). This makes things tough, as we couldn't beat Bob Walls (10-6, 4.17, 29) or Bernie Johnson (9-6, 2.83, 30). They didn't score too much off of us, but lately they've gotten good production from 28-year-old Gus Hall (.270, 3, 29). This will be a tough finale and we'll need to be at our best to survive this one.

Two more off days before we return home for three with the Kings. We struggled against them in Brooklyn, but I'm hoping we can set things straight in Chicago. Brooklyn is a bit below .500, sitting at 47-51 and a bit closer to the Foresters (13.5 GA) then the Cannons (15.5 GB). The Kings are in a youth movement, giving innings to talented youngsters such as Jim Kenny (9-5, 2.47, 12), Bill McGraw (3-4, 4.37, 16), and Ike O'Donnell (7-6, 1, 3.19, 33). The latter two are likely back-end at best, but the 22-year-old Kenny could be a mid-rotation piece or even potentially an ace. The lineup could use some work, but 25-year-old Roger Upton (.314, 3, 23) is having a really good rookie season. There isn't much youth behind him and young slugger Tim Hopkins (.253, 11, 35), who despite being the same age is in the midst of his 5th FABL season. There is a lot of hope in the farm, with 9 top 100 prospects including the #8 prospect in this year's 3rd overall selection Pat Petty. It may take a few seasons for the Kings to regain the form of the 1936-1938 CA champs, but they are on the right track.

Minor League Report
CF Bunny Hufford (AAA Milwaukee Blues): The trade speculation didn't seem to effect Bunny Hufford at all this month, as the 25-year-old outfielder was named the best bat in the Century League. The former 4th Rounder hit an astronomical .382/.479/.549 (184 OPS+) with 9 doubles, a triple, 2 homers, 7 steals, and 18 RBIs while worth an entire 2.2 wins above replacement. It's been a good season for our 4th ranked prospect, who managed to survive another trade deadline. In 55 games with the Blues, Hufford has slashed .327/.420/.468 (145 OPS+) with 18 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 11 steals, and 28 RBIs. It was far better then his 55 PAs up in Chicago, where Bunny was just 9-for-48 with just one extra base hit. Eventually Hufford will split the difference, as he boasts above average contact ability and mixed with good plate discipline and great speed, he profiles as the perfect leadoff hitter. His defense still isn't great, but he could be at least average out in center. His speed really helps, so you hope there is great range, but I'm not quite sure his arm will be great enough to be a top right fielder. He's going to be one of the guys rejoining the team in September, but he's going to have a lot of competition for an outfield spot next Spring. Hufford was also named Player of the Week, going 12-for-26 with a homer, 5 RBIs, and 7 runs scored.

RHP John Little (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Yesterday I was talking about how John Little isn't an option to start big league games, and he then goes and proves me wrong by tossing a 4-hit shutout with no walks and 4 strikeouts. Little is in the midst of his best minor league season, going 6-5 with a 2.98 ERA (130 ERA+), 1.24 WHIP, 29 walks, and 53 strikeouts in 127 innings pitched. Now 27, the former 5th Rounder hasn't had the greatest climb up our system, and his 115 FIP- suggests a lot of luck, but he could be useful pen filler at the end of the season. A four pitch pitcher, Little has a high 80s fastball, which might be the best of the four. None are that great, and his repertoire isn't good enough to consistently fool big league hitters. He's done well starting in Milwaukee, but his future looks to be in the pen. His flyball tendencies will cause problems in long starts, but he can eat innings and get his share of strikeouts.

RHP Jack Huston (AA Mobile Commodores): It was an excellent month for Jack Huston, who was named Pitcher of the Month in the Dixie League. It was Huston's second straight, following up a 6-1 June with an even better 6-0 July. He dropped his ERA and WHIP from 2.81 (167 ERA+) and 1.06 to 2.17 (216 ERA+) and 1.02 with fewer walks (10) and more strikeouts (34). It's been a huge breakout season for the 23-year-old, who is now 17-3 with a 3.25 ERA (144 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, 56 walks, and 88 strikeouts in 174.2 innings pitched. The innings eating righty is on pace for over 250 innings, just shy of his innings total since we selected him in the 5th Round of the 1941 draft. The sidewinder doesn't throw all that hard, just 88-90 with his fastball, but he generates a ton of grounders and he's able to pitch deep into games. He's on a nice eight game complete game win streak, and he's topped 150 pitches three times. His curve and slider need some work, as he doesn't always locate them well, but he does a good job missing bats. I don't think he'll head to Milwaukee any time this season, but unless he enlists he'll start '44 as a member of the Blues rotation. Tom and OSA think Huston will be just a spot starter, and he ranks outside our top 30 at #357 in the entire league. There is something said for high current ratings, which based on performance Huston likely does, as potential doesn't mean much if you can't ever reach it. I'd like to see his stuff improve a bit, but he's got some of the tools you look for in a big league starter.