[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 4-3
Seasonal Record: 50-43 (3rd, 4 GB)
Stars of the Week
Pete Papenfus : 2 Wins, 15.0 IP, 10 BB, 6 K, 1.20 ERA
Red Bond : 17 AB, 7 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .412 AVG, 1.003 OPS
Leo Mitchell : 18 AB, 6 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .333 AVG, .923 OPS

Schedule
7-19: Loss at Wolves (2-5)
7-20: Win at Cannons (9-0)
7-21: Win at Cannons (3-2)
7-22: Loss at Cannons (7-0)
7-23: Loss at Sailors (1-3)
7-25: Win at Sailors (9-0)
7-25: Win at Sailors (4-3)

Recap
I was traveling yesterday, part of why the post came last night came late, and when I was about three minutes into trying to go to sleep I realized I forgot to set lineups for the double headers. Since I was tired and we have been awful in double headers, I decided to go back to sleep. I made the right decision. We swept that, with a shutout and the rare one run win. It was crucial as the Sailors (52-42) are a game and a half ahead of us and come to Chicago this weekend. This was one of two one-run wins, as while I did not expect the two blowouts in Cincinnati, did win the series because of the amazing Duke Bybee (12-4, 2.53, 55) outdueling the breakout Jersey Jim (9-6, 2.68, 58). The win did cost us Red Bond, who is dealing with a mild abdominal strain. He may play a little this week, as Max Wilder started him in game two of the double header. Ray Ford seems likely to man first on Monday, but I expect Bond to play most of the weekend series. And despite getting hurt, he still went 7-for-17 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, a run, and 3 RBIs. No homers on the road, but missing home games will hurt the slugger in his chase for setting our single season home run record. On June 18th Bond hit his 17th and 18th home run, but he's hit just one since. He's now on pace to only tie Tom Taylor's record of 31. I'm hoping this is why he was seeing his power fall, and once he's healthy he'll go back to launching longballs.

Pete Papenfus may never truly be back, but he was dominant against the Cannons and with a two win week has now won seven of his last nine decisions. The All-Star pitched a 4-hit shutout with 4 walks and 3 strikeouts in the 9-0 win. He also threw 100 pitches on short rest in the double header yesterday, walking 6 in 6 innings. Despite that, he allowed just 3 runs (2 earned) and 2 hits with 3 strikeouts. The walks are somewhat concerning, as but he's still struck out (85) significantly more hitters then he's walked (60) overall. The Cannons and Sailors are disciplined teams, and on the road it's always hard to overpower hitters. It's different when you have the fans behind you, and even in all the losses last year the home fans never got on him. He's treated them to 7 amazing home starts this season, going 5-2 with a 1.48 ERA (267 ERA+) and 0.86 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 18 walks. Pap still ranks top three in wins (11) and strikeouts (85) and if he stays hot he could work his way into the Allen talk. He's already won more games then last season, and his current ERA and WHIP are lower then any season he didn't win the triple crown. I don't think he'll beat out Rufus Barrell (2.04), but he's six with plenty of time to climb the leaderboard.

Two weeks isn't a trend, but Leo Mitchell went 6-for-18 with 2 doubles, 4 runs, 5 walks, and an RBI. He's hitting a more respectable .338/.402/.432 (124 OPS+) in June and his 96 season WRC+ is almost back to average. A resurgent Leo Mitchell is exactly what the doctor ordered, and I hope "Mitch the Metronome" can start ticking again. Even Year Harry is certainly here, as our backstop went 5-for-15 with a double and his 6th homer of the season. The now 34-year-old veteran has a 113 WRC+ in 64 games, and in 54 fewer games he matched his WAR (1.1) total from last year. Some of our bench guys did well too, with Carlos Montes (2-7, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB), Don Lee (1-3, 2B, 2 R), and George Sutterfield (3-10, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R) contributing extra base hits. Despite a few big wins this week, we're still just 7th in average (.257) and wOBA (.319), last in walks (304) and OBP (.322), and despite 76 homers (2nd), we're jut 6th in extra base hits (236). Home cooking may help, but we're dealing with tough pitching staffs this week.

Johnnie Jones was hit hard, but he was this exception this week in a regularly well-pitched week. The Cannons tagged him for 9 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), and 5 walks, and when he left with two outs in the six it was the first start of the season where he failed to strike out a single batter. I'm too lazy to check the last time that happened, but Jones has struck out 10.2% of the batters he's faced through 819 FABL innings, and has set down five or more five separate occasions. Brother Donnie split his starts, as he had a rare loss to the Wolves, who he seems to do well against in the past. Donnie went 8, allowing 9 hits, 5 runs, and 4 walks with just 2 strikeouts. The 28-year-old veteran bounced back in a big way in the double header, twirling a 4-hit shutout with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts. His record remains even, now 8-8, but that's only his eight complete game and second shutout. The reigning Allen winner completed 21 with 4 shutouts last year, and has yet to throw fewer then 19 since he became a full time starter. With maybe 13 starts left, that doesn't seem likely, but strong finish from one of our team leaders would be huge.

Looking Ahead
It's a weird week, as we start our lengthy homestand with just one game against the Montreal Saints. Their offense has been an issue, scoring the fewest runs in the league. But they have some really good sluggers, and with one game in Chicago they could change the course of the game. The trio of Maurice Carter (.259, 14, 51), Pinky Pierce (.274, 12, 40), and Bill Greene (.249, 10, 42, 15) could have 20 homers in a friendlier park and All-Star starter Gordie Perkins (.289, 5, 40, 8) is one of the brightest young shortstops in the game. They could use an extra bat or two, but with few sellers they may have to wait for some of the youngsters to develop like the pitchers have. Bert Cupid (9-9, 2.98, 51) is one of the more talented pitcher already while Wally Reif (10-5, 3.00, 59) and Doyle (6-11, 3.56, 66) are having the best seasons of their careers. Montreal already has Bill Elkins (.280, 18, 8) and Jack Spahr (.291, 29) in the lineup, but 31st ranked prospect Hank Smith (.412, 2, 5) is on the bench and 36th ranked prospect Otis O'Keefe, who just picked up a Player of the Week (16-32, 4 HR, 17 RBI) could be joining him shortly. As an outfielder he doesn't have immediate playing time, so in the offseason he could be used to fill a hole. We may have gotten the Saints at the right time, as while they've won two of their last three, they are 22-40 since the end of May.

One team we can't beat is the Wolves, who are an even 47-47 because they recently swept us and have won nine of the fifteen contests this year. They're off on Monday, so there's plenty they can do with their rotation. Unfortunately, I'd expect some order of George Garrison (8-7, 3.24, 60), Jimmy Gibbs (3-4, 3.61, 46), and Jerry York (8-8, 2.75, 58), all while Red Bond (.295, 19, 52) is still at least partially incapacitated. Luckily the only lineup the Wolves have scored more frequently then is the Saints, so if we can keep Fred McCormick (.283, 10, 44, 5), Hal Wood (.355, 3, 49), and Chink Stickels (.269, 12, 59, 13) in check I like our chances. One guy to watch will be Tom Frederick, as Mr. Versatility has a 117 WRC+ and 2.3 WAR while playing 61 games at second and 32 in the outfield. He's hitting a fine .302/.359/.442 (106 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 7 triples, 4 homers, 7 steals, and 35 RBIs. The 32-year-old veteran is looking like a very useful leadoff hitter, and if the Wolves decide to move some of their players in the offseason he could be an interesting piece for a team with title aspirations.

The weekend series against the Sailors, who will look to get some revenge after we took the series against them in Philly. As mentioned they are ahead of us, so this series has huge playoff implications for both sides. Cotton Dillon (.257, 2, 27) has replaced Harvey Brown (.289, 2, 34, 25), shifting the rookie Joe Scott (.317, 4, 22) from Dillon's usual right to left. Ed Reyes (.346, 5, 53) has been replaced by Hal Wood at the top of the batting race, and the two former Cougar first rounders are competing while Leo Mitchell (.293, 1, 28) is trailing the duo in all three triple crown categories. Reyes has hit just .277/.307/.373 (75 OPS+) in 21 July games, but the first time All Star has plenty of time to pick thing back up. I'm hoping he waits until they leave town, as the Sailors are a deep team who play us tough. Eventually David Molina (3-7, 15, 4.18, 42) will return to his dominant self and even Art Hull (8-7, 1, 4.14, 62) has a near league average ERA+ (99), with a surprisingly strong 3.31 FIP (80 FIP-) out of the five spot. Their rotation isn't quite on the level of ours, but Win Lewis (9-7, 3.20, 66) leads a very impressive rotation, and I think we're stuck with him in the opener. This is a huge week for us as we approach the deadline, and with very little movement expected, we need every win we can get.

Minor League Report
1B Cal Rice (B San Jose Cougars): In the same week 5th Rounder John Kerr inks his signing bonus, 20-year-old Cal Rice won himself the C-O-W Player of the Week. The former 10th Rounder hit .500/.552/.846 (260 OPS+) with 7 doubles, a triple, 6 runs, and 9 RBIs. He's now hitting .302/.368/.458 (114 OPS+) in 366 trips to the plate with 32 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, and 52 RBIs. He's not at risk of losing playing time, and may be in line for a promotion to Lincoln as I could give Harry Austin time in left and figure things out from there. Rice is our highest ranked first basemen prospect, 13th in the organization and 148th in the league for all positions. Dixie Gaines like his hit tool and speculates that there may be some power to come from his bat. He is a big strong guy after all, and no C-O-W batter has double digit homers on the season. He did hit 10 homers in 78 game for the Lions back in 1946, so perhaps there's hope for 15 or so homers in a major league season. As a lefty, he can't play much with Red Bond in Chicago, but when Bond turns 38 Cal will only be 24. I don't know if he's the first basemen of our future, but Rice will be allowed a chance to earn a starting job in the majors.

CF Henry Norman (B San Jose Cougars): Of the three talented outfielders we had in San Jose, I did not think Henry Norman would be the first one promoted. But sure enough, the 19-year-old will head to A ball, where he did play 33 games in the Chiefs organization last year. He didn't hit much, just .207/.273/.289 (52 OPS+), but he looked much better in 52 games this season down in San Jose. The 68th ranked prospect hit .345/.392/.399 (105 OPS+) with 4 doubles, a triple, a homer, a steal, and 25 RBIs. That contributed to a 112 WRC+, and he accumulated almost a full win above replacement while functioning primarily as a left fielder. I view him as a center fielder, and that's exactly where he'll play in Lincoln. A former 3rd Rounder, he has both a strong arm and excellent range, and with above average speed he should be able to make most plays out in the outfield. His offensive value is plentiful as well, as the strong righty hits the ball hard and Dixie Marsh goes as far as saying he "projects to be a .330 hitter." That's a lofty projection, and considering our Red Bond's .295 average leads the team, it would be a welcomed addition to the lineup. He won't be joining the big league club any time soon, but he's a smart kid who will take advantage of all the resources at his disposal. OSA thinks he can "flourish as a center fielder" and I'm hoping that's true, as while he comes with plenty of risk, there is so much to like about the young outfielder.

Cougars in the GWL
RHP Luis Sandoval (Houston Bulls): I don't know why, but Luis Sandoval always throws shutouts. Despite being just 5-10 on the season, he's thrown a 7-hit and 6-hit shutout with a 2-run loss in between. Sandoval led the GWL with 4 shutouts for the Conquistadores last year, and he's already matched that despite his awful record. He has an average 3.12 ERA (103 ERA+) with a 1.37 WHIP, but he's walked just 34 with 74 strikeouts in 156 innings pitched. His 2.89 FIP (90 FIP-) is decent, as run support seems to be the issue. He's gotten 2 or fewer runs in 13 of his 20 starts. And it's not like the Bulls can't score, their 320 runs is in the top half and they have some pretty solid bats in Bob Montgomery (.304, 2, 35, 5), John Reginald (.278, 3, 29, 17), and Hal Landrum (.317, 6, 47). They do have another Cougar, Johnny Bunce (.236, 2, 26), who despite a strong glove at third cannot offer much at the plate. At 46-48, they're in fifth and double digit (11.5) games out of first, it's not likely the Bulls will play postseason ball.

RHP Del Burnes (Portland Green Sox): Not much has gone well for the Portland Green Sox, but the 32-year-old Del Burnes has been superb in his first season as a starter in the GWL. The former #3 Pick is just 6-9, but he owns an impressive 2.58 ERA (125 ERA+) and 1.24 WHIP with 73 strikeouts. His 2.72 FIP (84 FIP-) supports his overall body of work, and he's accumulated 3.2 WAR in 153.2 innings pitched. He's allowed just a single homer in 19 starts, and if he was on a contender he could be a legitimate contender for Pitcher of the Year. The Green Sox ace leads the team in ERA and strikeouts, but the only pitcher with more wins is their stopper Herb White (10-2, 15, 3.43, 41), who while never a Cougar, is a Chicago native. I will admit, I'm a little shocked to see a pitcher of Burnes' caliber in the GWL, and at just $4,200 for the season he's more then affordable. I'll admit, if I knew it took just $800 to get Burns on a minor league deal he'd have been a Cougar, but instead the veteran righty could be in line for a nice pay day at year's end.