[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-1
Seasonal Record: 77-56 (t-2nd, 7 GB)
Stars of the Week
Art White : 2 Wins, 18.0 IP, 2 BB, 6 K, 1.00 ERA
Joe Brown : 1 Win, 9.0 IP, 0 BB, 5 K, 0.00 ERA
Clark Car : 22 AB, 6 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .273 AVG, .860 OPS

Schedule
9-6: Win vs Kings (0-7)
9-6: Win vs Kings (3-7)
9-8: Win vs Kings (0-1)
9-9: Win vs Stars (5-9)
9-11: Loss vs Stars (3-1)
9-12: Win vs Stars (2-3)

Recap
So now we decide to win? Can't complain about a five win week, other then the fact that we waited so long to have it! We even picked up a few rare one run wins, and are now back to seven out of first place. With just 20 games to go, the deficit is likely insurmountable, but at least they're trying to make it respectable again! We're also now tied with Toronto in terms of games, but a percentage point above with one fewer win and loss. I just now realized we played our last home game, the 3-2 win over the Stars, so we'll really have our work cut out for us. Due to an attendance "feature" ticket sales exploded around July, so we drew 2,215,186 fans, a Cougar record and currently the most in the FABL. This is the second time we've cracked the 2 million fan mark, although this one doesn't quite feel the same. The 49-86 Gothams managed to crack 2 million too, but since they are done with home games as well, their 2.1 million will be shy of ours. We've been alright on the road, 46-31 (.597), but we'll have to do better then that to catch the Cannons who are playing well over .600 ball total, and they have a lot of home games left. They are actually better on the road, but still playing .600 ball at home.

Part of the wins coincided with Art White finally pitching like Art White. White got a little revenge on the Kings, tossing a 6-hit shutout in the first game of our double header. He walked just one and struck out 4 in a comfortable 7-0 win. He then held off the Stars, picking improving to 14-11 with another complete game win. This start wasn't as great, but still just 10 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 2 strikeouts to finish the week. Turns out it was a good week to be a color in the Cougar organization, as Joe Brown twirled a shutout of his own. It was necessary, as we managed just a single run off George Smith. Brown struck out 5 and allowed just 2 hits, dropping his season ERA and WHIP to 2.30 (147 ERA+) and 1.03. The 29-year-old has quietly had an impressive season, ranked 3rd in the CA for ERA, tied for 2nd in strikeouts, and tied for third in wins with 16. Dick Lyons picked up the only loss, but he didn't pitch poorly. The lefty went all nine, allowing just 7 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) with a pair of strikeouts but he didn't get the run support the start deserved. Johnnie Jones was far more lucky hosting the team that drafted him, picking up a complete game victory with 9 hits, 5 runs (3 earned), 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Jim Lonardo picked up a complete game win too, allowing 8 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), and a walk in the second game of our double header. Newcomers Frank Crawford and Merritt Thomas didn't pitch, and despite now having seven pitchers in the pen, none of them threw an inning. That's not a bad thing, as our starters were able to go out and do what they're supposed to, go all nine.

Harry Mead had a nice resurgence, going 6-for-14 with 3 walks, 4 runs, and an RBI. Dan Fowler went 6-for-18 with a double, homer, 2 walks, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs scored. Cliff Moss entertained the home fans, 4-for-16 with 2 homers and 4 RBIs. Leo Mitchell had a week worthy of someone competing for a batting title, 7-for-20 with a double, steal, 4 walks, and 6 runs scored. Clark Car took the team home run lead, 6-for-22 while also picking up a triple, steal, 3 walks, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. My daily lineups didn't take, so Cuno Myer didn't get to start the double header. Despite that, he picked up his first big league hit, picking up a pinch hit single in his lone at bat. Luckily, the lineup issues didn't cause any injuries, but we'll have to get by for another week without Skipper. He's still dealing with a shoulder strain and I don't want to rush him back with us so far out. The last thing you want is for your 22-year-old superstar shortstop is to get hurt at less then 100% in a meaningless game.

Looking Ahead
Our road trip starts with the now eliminated Brooklyn Kings. At 59-74, they are one of four teams who have been officially eliminated in the CA, currently sitting in 6th and 24.5 games out. They moved Oliver Allen to the pen, so we didn't get to see him take on Art White, as they instead went with 23-year-old Dick Farmer (1-1, 5.84, 6). The former 7th Round pick spent most of his season in AA, and the Kings decided to take a look at their 22nd ranked prospect. He's no Jim Kenny (10-9, 2.98, 12), but Farmer is a fireballer with really good stuff. He does struggle with the longball, as two homers helped us pile on 6 hits and 7 runs during his 3.1 inning debut in Chicago. Walks are an issue for him too, there were six of them, but he's still got a lot of growth as a pitcher. If he upgrades his command or limits the homers, he can be a really good pitcher, but unfortunately he's not the hardest worker. Not many other new faces, but they did bring up Mel Haynes (2-0, 1.93, 9) to fill the pen. We'll face them for three, and we expect to see George Smith (7-7, 3.94, 40), Jim Crawford (11-15, 3.42, 32), and Bill McGraw (4-4, 3.78, 22). We beat them in Chicago, so you'd think we could do the same in Brooklyn, which can help us make up some ground as the Cannons have a lot of off days.

We have one too, but it sets up four games in three days with the Saints. Montreal is a game and a half ahead of the Kings, 62-72 and 9 back of the 4th place Sailors. Montreal hasn't made too many callups, as they have youngsters like Wally Reif (7-9, 4.03, 55) and Pat Weakley (10-7, 3.54, 84) already on the active roster. In a season with a lot of disappointment, there have been some bright spots, including the emergence of 29-year-old Karl Weiss. He was very unlucky last season, but things have gone much better in '43, as he's 10-13 with a 2.92 ERA (120 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 39 walks, and 50 strikeouts. These are very strong numbers for a former 18th Rounder, but then again 700+ FABL innings is already impressive enough. With top prospects Jackie James and Bert Cupid waiting down in AAA, Weiss can either hold a spot for them or be shipped out this offseason while his value is high. We're likely going to have to face him, but even if we don't that means we got former Cougar 3rd Rounder Bill Ross (12-8, 2.60, 62). The offense has let the staff down, but Vic Crawford (.270, 13, 52) has started to heat up and they do have a lot of good hitters. The Saints have one of the top rated systems, but with a lot of their best youngsters at war, Saints fans may have to wait until the conflict subsides.

Minor League Report
LHP Lefty Jones (C La Crosse Lions): Taken with the 77th Pick in this summer's draft, it hadn't been the smoothest start for Lefty Jones, but the sidewinding lefty was unhittable in a 4-0 win over the Marshalltown Kings. He allowed just one hit in the shutout while striking out seven. His wildness was on full display, walking seven for the third time in four starts, but it's clear that Jones' stuff is unhittable. One of those effectively wild type guys, the 18-year-old does have difficulty hitting the zone, but his pitches are next to impossible to square up. He comes at you from an awkward angle, and his cutter has insane life. The slider is unhittable for lefties and the change neutralizes power against righties. He's struck out (69) more hitters then innings (67.1), but his 6.4 BB/9 leaves a lot to be desired. That contributed to a high 4.81 ERA (108 ERA+) and 1.56 WHIP, and his 6.32 FIP thinks there is a lot of regression coming. I'm not overly worried, a lot of teen pitchers are getting hit hard (don't look at Tommy Seymour...), and it can take time for guys to get their footing. His stuff is electric even though he sits in the mid 80s, and I'm excited to see if he stays there or eventually picks it up. As a finesse pitcher I think he'll never hit 90, but that could make him one of the more interesting pitchers in the league. He currently ranks 11th in our system and 176th Overall. Jones is our fifth ranked pitcher and third highest of our recent class. Tom Weinstock thinks he'll be no more then a spot starter, but if he can continue to miss bats like he has, he'll be a very good FABL pitcher.

RHP Dick Garcia (C La Crosse Lions): Speaking of young arms in C ball... Just three days after Lefty Jones' shutout, Dick Garcia got in on the fun, allowing just 4 hits and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts in a 2-0 win over the Burlington Bears. Our most recent regional pick, the East Chicago native has been one of our best teen arms with the Lions, going 5-6 with a 4.05 ERA (129 ERA+), 1.51 WHIP, 54 walks, and 62 strikeouts through 73.1 innings pitched. The walks are high for the soon-to-be 19-year-old, but Garcia's sinker is able to erase them with a lot of double plays. His middle infield defense will always have to be on their toes, but it's hard to elevate his pitches. He doesn't throw too hard, just 85-87, and his cutter and change are solid, just not nearly as good as his sinker. He works down in the zone and a good catcher will be crucial to block a lot of pitches in the dirt, but the movement is good enough to still get swings. If he wants to be more then an emergency starter, he'll have to start locating his pitches better, but the harder he throws the more effective he'll be.