[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 6-0
Seasonal Record: 33-27 (3rd, 2 GB)
Stars of the Week
Pete Papenfus : 2 Wins, 17.0 IP, 9 BB, 11 K, 1.06 ERA
Sal Pestilli : 22 AB, 6 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .273 AVG, .998 OPS
Walt Pack : 20 AB, 8 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .400 AVG, .950 OPS

Schedule
6-15: Win vs Foresters (0-6)
6-16: Win vs Foresters (0-7)
6-17: Win vs Foresters (3-5)
6-18: Win vs Cannons (8-12)
6-19: Win vs Cannons (4-5)
6-20: Win vs Cannons (2-3)

Recap
While not Leo Mitchell-led, it's hard to complain about a perfect week! Even if it is at home against the 7th and 8th place teams! It was a team effort, as 12 of the 15 hitters who accumulated four or more trips to the plate provided above average production, ranging from George Sutterfield (2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB) to Sal Pestilli (6-22, 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 5 BB, 2 SB), and of course, the previously mentioned Mitchell (5-18, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 4 R) who unfortunately was the least inspired of the bunch. Even with two one run wins, our run differential swelled to a CA best +31, and our pitching staff has now allowed the fewest runs in either association.

Johnnie Jones has been a huge part of the league's best staff, and he fashioned 5-hit shutout in a commanding 7-0 win over the Foresters. He did walk 5, but struck out 4 to improve to 5-4 on the season. His 2.13 ERA (181 ERA+) leads the staff, and his 85 FIP- (3.31 FIP) would be the best of his career. He's still striking out (44) a few more guys then he's walked (41), something he hasn't done since his first full season back in 1943 (96 BB, 97). As good as that year was (15-8, 2.93, 97) he's currently holding personal bests in WHIP (1.19), BB% (10.6), K/BB (1.1), and ERA+. Pete Papenfus came an inning away from a shutout of his own, as despite the 6-0 lead, Max Wilder elected not to push the veteran past 137 pitches. If Pap didn't walk 6 guys, he could have gone 9, as he allowed just 2 hits and struck out 7 in a dominant performance against the Foresters. He followed it up with a more efficient 130-pitch complete game win over the Cannons to finish the sweep, allowing just 4 hits, 2 runs, and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts. The runs came on solo shots from Sam Brown (.307, 6, 30) and Johnny Potter (.250, 1, 7) early in the game, as he finished strong with six shutout innings, as a pair of run in the 8th gave us the lead we would hold.

Interesting enough, our other three starters allowed two homers, and Duke Bybee and Donnie Jones were able to work around it. Bybee picked up his six consecutive victory, allowing 10 hits and 3 runs in a complete game victory. He didn't allow a walk and struck out three as we finished off a sweep of the Sailors. Donnie didn't fair as well, but still managed to earn a complete game victory. Donnie scattered 10 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts over nine innings, but left the game tied. This set up late inning heroics for Sal Pestilli to lead off the 9th. It was his second homer of the game, as Pestilli got to Jersey Jim (6-4, 2.59, 42) in the 6th and was responsible for three of the four runs. He reached base all four times, walking and singling earlier in the game.

George Oddo, however, was really roughed up in our 12-8 win over the Cannons. and he lasted just two innings. He was charged with 7 runs (4 earned), 5 hits, and a walk, but Clark Car's error on the second batter of the game set him up for failure. He's hit his first rough patch of the season, allowing 16 hits, 14 runs (9 earned), and 3 walks over his last two starts (6.2 IP). This has inflated his ERA from 2.66 to 3.51 (110 ERA+), and it's resemblant of his cup of coffee last September (16 IP, 14 H, 9 ER, 4 BB, 8 K). Oddo is scheduled for his 12th start this week against Sailors (29-33), and his performance may determine if his start gets skipped after our off-day next Monday. Harry Parker did the mop up work, keeping us in a game that was 7-3 when he threw his first pitch. Parker soaked up 6 innings, allowing just 4 hits and a run with 3 strikeouts. When he left we were up 12-8, allowing Eddie Howard (IP, 2 H) to get the final three outs. There's a stretch coming towards the end of the month where we play 14 games in 13 days, so it's encouraging to see Parker pitch like this for multiple innings. He could take a start to keep guys fresh if needed, and it may be one of the last chances for the 33-year-old to start an FABL game.

Harry Mead looked like even year Harry Mead, going an even 6-for-12 with a double, 3 walks, 3 RBIs, and 4 runs. Walt Pack and Red Bond kept up the good work, 14-for-41 with 6 runs and 9 RBIs. Pack hit his 9th homer and Bond put out 17 and 18 to extend his league leading total. Skipper Schneider continued a nice season at the plate, going 7-for-20 with a double, 3 walks, 4 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. Skipper's now hitting a strong .313/.378/.410 (114 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 4 homers, and 29 RBIs. His 120 WRC+ would be a career high, and after a slow start defensively, he's getting closer (7.3, 1.097) to his otherworldly defensive self. The 27-year-old has always been one of the game's more valuable players, and if he can continue like this he could end up making a legitimate case for a Whitney. He always gets a few votes because of his defense, but if we can stay hot and Skipper leads the team on offense and defense, he could actually deserve some of the consideration he has already received. I'd much rather prefer the team effort like we received this season, and with another week of home games against teams that may be under .500, our guys have a chance to shine.

Looking Ahead
It's draft day! The AI portion of the draft occurs today, and the mock that comes with it has a very high opinion of Elmer Grace. The scouting bureau ranks Grace as the 10th pick of the draft, which is surprising considering his lack of fanfare around the draft. He's a hard worker, so maybe something happened? It'll be interesting to see where the prospect pickers place him, but perhaps Grace made an improvement in his raw power, as he did go from 5 to 8 homers. Other draftees to get a placement are Jeff King (2.13), Bob Allie (3.14), Archie Cunningham (4.9), Cecil Burr (4.13), Amos Peterson (5.1), and Dixie Gaines (5.8). I wouldn't read into it too much, but it's somewhat reassuring to see so many of our guys included. We don't have any financial issues to worry about this time around, but the largest bonus demand of any draftee comes courtesy of Amos Peterson ($31,000). I'll very begrudgingly meet that, and this definitely adds pressure on the A-Train to succeed.

Our next guest is the Philadelphia Sailors who will get four chances to stop our win streak. I'm hoping they need all four, as they have lost six of their last seven and are just 29-33 entering the series. The just lost both halves of a double header in New York, so unless they use a spot starter like Vic Carroll (2-0, 3.15, 11) or Bill Martino (4-3, 3.83, 27), everyone will be throwing on short rest. One guy we'll see no matter what is David Molina (1-5, 9, 4.04, 32), although he's off to a rough start this year. The same cannot be said for Win Lewis (5-5, 2.64, 45), who has the best chance of beating us and will likely pitch the second game of the series. He hasn't gotten much run support, but the Sailors are hoping that inserting 48th ranked prospect Joe Scott in the lineup could spark some scoring additional scoring. The 24-year-old is hitting .377/.386/.547 (142 OPS+) in his first 14 big league games, adding 6 doubles, a homer, and 5 RBIs. Like most Sailors, he projects to hit for a high average and draw plenty of walks, and the former 3rd Rounder has all the talent to develop into an everyday player. They have him batting behind perennial batting title leader Ed Reyes (.369, 3, 35), and he should have plenty of RBI opportunities. Marion Boismenu (.344, 8, 4) could be on his way back, and he'll be a huge upgrade over replacement Frankie Gonnella (.170, 2). The 1944 Whitney Winner is expected to miss the next three days, so we should avoid him, but he could be back as early as the finale. I'm hoping we can stay hot, as we should be able to take advantage of a tired and beat up team who spent the week on the road.

The week finishes with three against the Wolves, with an off day to look forward after the week ends. At 31-30, the Wolves are a game and a half behind us, but are stuck facing the Kings (34-27) in Brooklyn for four. That'll be tough and I'm hoping that the Wolves will be tired and below .500 when we get them. Toronto has made the bold decision to demote Joe Hancock (4-4, 5.24, 23) to the bullpen, but replacement Jim Carter (5-0, 1, 2.29, 17) has been more then capable. The former 1st Rounder still has a 2.89 ERA (139 ERA+) when used as a starter, but he has been walking (14) more guys then he's struck out (8). I don't think we'll face him, but the three we draw will be determined by whether they use a spot starter after their double header. The opposing starter may not matter too much, as they have scored the fewest runs in FABL. Fred McCormick (.286, 8, 35, 4) is still one of the better hitters in the game and Hal Wood (.341, 2, 26) has an impressive 135 WRC+ in 59 games. The issue is the lineup doesn't have much power, with just McCormick and Chink Stickels (.256, 8, 31, 7) hitting more then three home runs. Still, there is plenty of talent in that lineup, as Charlie Artuso (.252, 3, 17, 4), Tom Frederick (.289, 3, 19, 4), and Hank Giordano (.306, 1, 23, 5) are all capable big leaguers. If they get hot the Wolves can just as easily work their way back into the playoff hunt, but there aren't many reinforcements waiting in the farm to help supplement a run. If they finish the month hot, they could be an buyer, but they're just as interesting as a seller.

Minor League Reports
1B Bill Payne (AAA Milwaukee Blues): Our first basemen really are doing great this year! After Billy Biggar's 30 game hit streak, Bill Payne now has one 25 games strong, and he's hitting .333/.368/.494 (114 OPS+) in 19 June games. That's similar to his .330/.400/.459 (114 OPS+) season line and he has an impressive 128 WRC+ in 265 trips to the plate. He's hit 16 doubles and 4 homers with 27 RBIs and 33 runs scored. 26 in August, Payne has the enviable position of being stuck behind Red Bond for playing time. There's not a callup likely in his future, but he could be huge when the rosters expand. He's always had a strong bat, and his patient approach has led to 29 walks and just 8 strikeouts. A guy like that could be huge off the bench, and we'll have plenty of defensive replacements that can step in. This also happens to be Payne's last option year, so a strong finish to the season will be crucial to keeping a roster. I'm not opposed to holding three first basemen, but it does seem like he'll have his work cut out for him.

RHP George Carter (B San Jose Cougars): Yeah, I think he's feeling it. George Carter followed up his 2-hit shutout with a 5-hit shutout, walking just one and striking out 4 in a 4-0 win over the second place Vancouver Mounties. Carter is on pace for Pitcher of the Month in the C-O-W, now 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA (664 ERA+), 0.62 WHIP, 4 walks, and 18 strikeouts. This most recent start brought his ERA up to a near adjusted league average 4.62 (99 ERA+), while his 3.63 FIP (79 FIP-) calls for a few more scoreless innings. Carter's hot stretch has powered by his control, striking out more batters then he walked in each of his last three starts, with eight total occurrence on the season. It's hard to find a young guy with a talent like this, as most of our low minors guys tend to have walk rates in the double digits. Instead, Carter's is a minuscule 4.8% and with nearly a 3 (2.9) K/BB. With all the draftees ready to join the system, Carter may be one of the guys going up, as with a few more stellar starts he may be ready for a new challenge.