[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-0
Seasonal Record: 49-37 (2nd, 2 GB)
Stars of the Week
Leo Mitchell : 25 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .440 AVG, 1.143 OPS
Skipper Schneider : 19 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .526 AVG, 1.182 OPS
Carlos Montes : 16 AB, 6 H, 2 HR, 2 RBI, .375 AVG, 1.162 OPS

Schedule
7-11: Win at Cannons (8-7)
7-12: Win at Cannons (5-2)
7-13: Win at Cannons (3-1)
7-14: Win at Wolves (8-2)
7-14: Win at Wolves (8-0)

Recap
Back. So back. Oh, so, so, so, so, SO! BACK!!!!!!!!!

The Cougars came roaring out of the gates, winning five straight to up our win streak to eight, with all eight victories coming on the road. We followed up the sweep of the Kings with a sweep in Cincy, while capping it off with a double header sweep in Toronto. Surprisingly, we've been far more effective away from home, now 27-17 on the road compared to a middling 22-20. We added another one run win, increased our run differential over the century mark, and cut the Stars deficit in half to just two games. We also sport the top four pitchers in the CA in ERA, with Johnnie Jones (2.06) leading Donnie Jones (2.41), Pete Papenfus (2.44), and Billy Riley (2.47). Even Harry Parker (9th, 2.92) isn't too far back, cracking the top ten for our association.

The All-Star game went well for the CA, escaping with a 2-1 victory to snap the Feds win streak. With Donnie unavailable, brother Johnnie got the start, twirling a pair of hitless innings with two walks and a strikeout. Billy Riley struggled a bit, allowing 3 hits, a walk, and the only run, but he still managed to hold the lead. No luck for Mitchell or Walker, with both finishing 0-for-3. Walker at least walked, but they at least saved their production for the week.

We'll have to delay the Harry Sharp Revenge Tour a week, as his 2-for-20 was one of the few blemishes on the perfect week. Leo Mitchell went on a tear, an even 11-for-22 with 4 doubles, a homer, 3 runs, and 5 RBIs. He reclaimed the batting title lead, now slashing .358/.394/.560 (170 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 15 homers, and 56 RBIs. He's still in the triple crown race, a homer and three RBIs behind Chuck Adams, while leading Harvey Brown (.336, 1, 34, 24) by 22 points. Walker also faired much better in our games, 6-for-16 with a triple, 2 RBIs, 4 runs, and 4 walks. Skipper Schneider continued to heat up, going an absurd 10-for-19 with 2 doubles, a walk, and 3 runs scored. He followed up a .258/.301/.340 (83 OPS+) June, which was actually better then May, with a .388/.423/.429 (143 OPS+) July. Carlos Montes was productive as well, 6-for-16 with a walk, pair of solo homers, and 3 runs. Harry Mead provided some pop too, 5-for-16 with a homer, double, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. The offensive explosion pushed us up to 3rd in runs with 378, just 19 away from the league leading Stars. Obviously, my excitement is through he roof right now, and for the first time since April, I'd put the odds above 50% of the Cougars topping the association.

Despite pitching in the All-Star game, Billy Riley did not make a start this week, as I didn't know if things would be all wonky with at least four starting pitchers missing the All-Star game. With six games in five days, that meant either doubling him up with one of our other starters, but I took this as an opportunity to reset our rotation. Harry Parker was the only guy who wasn't at the All-Star game, and the only guy guaranteed to rested. That meant he pitched the opener, and I don't trust him on short rest. As our five, I could then start Pap game two, with Donnie following, Johnnie in game one, and Joe Brown in game two. Our captain was brilliant in our 8-0 crushing, throwing another 5-hit, 1-walk shutout, but this time it came with 5 strikeouts. He's now allowed just 2 runs in his last 26 innings, with just 14 hits, 7 walks, and 13 strikeouts. His 3.99 ERA (86 ERA+) still isn't great, but that 3.34 FIP (97 FIP-) is back above average. If we can get good innings from him, things will really start working in our favor.

After one save in the first half, it took just one game for our second, after a very weird game in Cincinnati. Harry Parker made the start, tossing 7 excellent innings with 5 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 5 strikeouts. We were down 2-1 heading into the 8th, but piled on 7 runs (3 earned) to put Parker in line for the win. Rusty Watts threw a scoreless 8th, but he collapsed in the ninth. He allowed four hits and two walks, leaving with one out, bases loaded, and a two run lead. That made for a very tough debut for Harry MacRae, who threw a 0-1 curve in the dirt, advancing all runners and bringing the Cannons within one. Thankfully, he got Denny Andrews to send a weak pop to left for out two, and then got Chuck Adams to swing under a 3-1 curve to finish things off. Hopefully the first of many saves for MacRae, who is already just 11 saves away from Allen Purvis for 10th most in a Cougar uniform. In fact, the top five are the only pitchers with more then 20, and Bill Mendine's 137 the only Cougar with more then 60.

The last three starts went to the All-Stars, with Pap and the Jones brothers all coming away with complete game victories. It started in Cincinnati with Pap, who allowed 7 hits, 2 runs, and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts. Donnie then followed that up with one of this best starts of his season, just 4 hits, a run, and 3 walks with 7 strikeouts for his league best 13th win. It's his 6th start already allowing one or fewer earned runs, as he looks to make a case for his first Allen Award. He may have to compete with his brother, who allowed 5 hits, 2 runs, and 4 walks with 4 strikeouts in a win over the Wolves. His 7-6 record may lose him votes, but his league best 2.06 ERA (166 ERA+) is something to be proud of. Having Skipper at short has been huge for "The Patron Saint of Groundballs" and excellent defense from Clark Car and Billy Hunter have helped erase a lot of his 66 walks. The off day tomorrow means Pap will be fully rested to start the week, allowing us to give our best starters more starts.

In draft news, none of our guys I offered contracts signed, as "Extremely Hard" does really mean extremely hard. None of the guys will take discounts at the increment I offered, and a second bad offer has caused our 23rd and 24th rounders to break off negotiations. The lowest pick to sign will be 22nd Rounder Matt Stinson, who is "Normal" and demanding slot. Even if we run out of money, we can always offer slot. He's likely to be one of the last guys to sign, but as a bullpen only guy who owns a 6.11 ERA, his time on the roster might be short. The more exciting Bob Allen had a scare, as he left his first pro start after seven batters. He allowed a hit and a walk, setting down two of his five outs with a strikeout. He was diagnosed with back stiffness, so we'll play it safe and IL him so it doesn't get worse. This gives Wally Eversole a chance to make what could be his only start of the season, as I'm hoping Bill Sweet (7th) and Harry Beardsley (10th) sign quickly, as I want them getting as many starts as possible this season. With all my offers out, we have a bit more then $4,000 remaining, so I sent Howie Sharp to the Gothams for $2,500. An 11th Rounder from 1944, Sharp was having a solid season in AA, 6-4 with a 2.97 ERA (120 ERA+) and 1.18 WHIP in 12 starts. Through 88 innings, the 23-year-old struck out 48, exactly twice as many batters as he walked. We have a logjam of pitching in the minors, and with the cash brought in we can potentially sign two draft picks we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. There are still a few guys I could release to save some cash, but I prefer that as a last resort. We don't have many bad salaries, other then the salary retained of Rabbit Mudd. When that trade was made, I thought I had a lot more money, but minor league financials didn't kick in. It will be interesting if Mudd can make the difference in a tight pennant race, so it may be a deal I end up greatly regretting.

Looking Ahead
Can we make it nine? We'll have to beat Toronto, who could either go with Joe Hancock (5-9, 3.26, 43) on four days rest or rookie 28-year-old Red More (0-0, 3, 1.74, 7), their fully rested sixth starter who has yet to start a big league game. It won't be easy for either one of them to win, as they'll have to best Billy Riley, who went 9-4 with a 2.47 ERA (139 ERA+) and 1.03 WHIP in his 14 starts. Our lineup has now scored (378) more runs then their's (360) and we'll hold the advantage in either pitching matchup. Juan Pomales (.288, 1, 18, 3) is healthy again, and him and Hal Wood (.332, 1, 22) have hit well. Those two were part of the Donnie Jones trade, and were plenty productive during the war years, so it's interesting to see the perspective of the trade start to shift a bit. Some in the media think the Wolves window is closing (I don't, for whatever it's worth), and if it truly is, these two could be enticing trade candidates if they embark on a rebuild. There's always rumors once anyone passes 30, but the Wolves have some intriguing youngsters who could make a difference this year or next. Our momentum gives us a huge edge, and I think we'll continue commanding road trip with yet another complete game win.

If we lose, the off day will be nice, but I'd hate to give the guys time to think before going for ten straight. We'll be facing the Foresters, who got swept in a double header against the Stars to start the week, and will host them for two more before we come to town. They'll have a big role in the pennant race, as skewed results can really benefit one of us. We're stuck getting Richie Hughes, the 23-year-old star who got the victory in the All-Star game. A top ten prospect entering the season, the Chicago kid will enter his start 12-7 with a 2.54 ERA (140 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP, 53 walks, and 91 strikeouts. He's gotten the decision in each of his starts, and has the lowest ERA of any non-Cougar pitcher in the Continental Association. We'll hope to raise that up plenty, and are expected to draw Hiram Steinberg (4-8, 3.38, 38) and Augie Hayes Jr. (4-9, 5.15, 45). With a double header, they could move Bill Martino (2-10, 5.77, 73) back into the rotation, but I like our chances against any of the non-Hughes options. The lineup has scored the fewest (291) runs in the association, and I like our odds in any sort of pitcher's duel. Jim Adams Jr. (.261, 2, 46, 3) has cooled down and Leon Blackridge (.263, 2, 24) and Hank Stratton (.292, 23) aren't too scary. The Foresters have bested us in six of our eleven meetings, but we'll still be considered the favorites to win.

We finish our week in Philly, with three games over the weekend. The Sailors have also given us some trouble, as we've split our twelve contests. They sit tied for fourth with the Saints, six games behind the Stars. In what could be a cost saving move, the Sailors waived Doc Newell (2-8, 4.63, 36), the franchise leader in wins (194), strikeouts (1,312), starts (433), and innings pitched (3,441.1). The remainder of his nearly $40,000 salary will be paid by the Kings, who could either insert him in the rotation with former Cougars Rusty Petrick (1-3, 2.89, 16) and Leo Hayden (9-8, 3.34, 65). The Kings are a good environment for a struggling vet to get back on track pitching in low stress situations. His knowledge could be invaluable for the young staff, and I'd love guys like Hayden, Mel Haynes (1-6, 1, 6.75, 24), Harry Stewart (1-5, 5.23, 19), and Pinch Lenhart to learn a thing or two from the old vet.

The Sailors felt comfortable letting him go, as the pitching factory in Philadelphia always has someone good ready to go. As they set their sights on the pennant, they've started using former 11th Rounder Frank Sartori. His success has been ridiculous, allowing just two earned runs in his first three starts. He followed that up with a 1-hitter in Toronto, walking four and striking out two. He followed it up with four hits, walks, and strikeouts in eight shutout innings. The hard throwing 23-year-old now owns a 1.37 ERA (260 ERA+) and 1.25 WHIP in 59.1 innings split between the rotation and pen. His strikeout (32) numbers have been good, but he's walking (28) nearly as many batters. They've had to make up for Slick Wesolowski's absence (9-2, 2.69, 53), and Win Lewis (7-4, 3.91, 42) has not been himself. Part of it is bad luck, his 3.18 FIP (89 FIP-) is in line with his value from his excellent season last year. His 1.8 K/BB is impressive and he's actually walking a few less batters per inning. If he can turn things around and Wesolowski returns to form, they could be a tough team to beat in September.

There's also the breakout of Harvey Brown, who's slashing .336/.413/.450 (136 OPS+) in 405 trips to the plate. The 30-year-old represented the Sailors at the All-Star game, and his 152 WRC+ ranks fourth in the CA. He leads the circuit with 24 steals, and has crushed 11 doubles and 13 triples with a homer, 40 walks, and 4.7 WAR. Ed Reyes (.336, 6, 46) is showing that last year was no fluke, posting a 139 WRC+ that is just two points lower then his mark in his breakout last season. 1944 Whitney Winner Marion Boismenu (.296, 1, 31, 7) has started to heat up, and rookies Cotton Dillon (.250, 3, 34) and Les Cunha (.296, 4, 45) look like legitimate long-term building blocks. Don's brother Rip Lee (.293, 5, 33, 4) even took home the recent Player of the Week, 9-for-19 with with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 8 RBIs. These games will be tough, but without Slick we'll have each pitching advantage. Don't get me wrong, Charlie Gordon (8-6, 2.94, 56) is really good, but the way things line up, he shouldn't be rested for the series. This ends an 18 games road trip that we've started 9-2. A big week here and we might actually be in first place, as the Stars will be on the road against the Foresters, Wolves, and Cannons. They've also faired very well on the road (26-16), so movement may be minimal as we approach the trade deadline.

Minor League Report
LF Bill Rich (AAA Milwaukee Blues): One of the guys at risk of release, Bill Rich just had a great week, going 12-for-27 with a homer and ten RBIs. He was voted the Player of the Week in the Century League, but he's hit just .291/.352/.370 (94 OPS+) in the 74 games he's played. Since he debuted last season, Rich has a $7,000 salary, so if we release him it frees up the remaining balance. That would be a tough end for the 3rd Round Pick, who hit .312/.371/.391 (120 OPS+) in 70 trips to the plate last season. Now 27, he doesn't have much upside, and his only real role is as a bench bat. That makes him expendable, and we're going to have a lot of young outfielders joining the roster. As a corner bat who can help us sign more guys, Rich might be nearing the end of his time here. If I release him, I will try to get him back on a minor league deal, but a GWL offer may be more enticing.