[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-2
Seasonal Record: 77-62 (t-4th, 11 GB)
Stars of the Week
Henry Watson : 30 AB, 16 H, 5 HR, 11 RBI, .533 AVG, 1.600 OPS
Buddy Byrd : 21 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .476 AVG, 1.179 OPS
Bobby Martinez : 29 AB, 12 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .414 AVG, .900 OPS

Schedule
9-10: Loss vs Kings (6-4)
9-11: Win at Imperials (8-3)
9-12: Loss at Imperials (5-7): 12 innings
9-13: Win at Imperials (7-5)
9-14: Win vs Cannons (2-7)
9-15: Win vs Cannons (2-11)
9-16: Win vs Cannons (2-8)

Recap
Another five week win for the streaky Cougars, but we didn't make up any ground on the Sailors, and are almost officially eliminated. The best part of the week was our series with the Cannons, where we held them to two runs in every game of the sweep. It certainly makes up for losing to the Imperials in extras, as Pug couldn't quite finish off the three inning win. He got seven outs, charged with 3 hits and a run, striking out 4, but after we took the lead in the 9th, he gave it right back up. Bob Allen helped with 2.1 scoreless innings, but eventually the Imps got two off callup Doc Cook, who was charged with his second career loss. Otherwise, it was a pretty great week, and we'll get Jerry McMillan back for the rest of the year.

Henry Watson put together one of the best weeks I've seen all season, going 16-for-30 with 5 homers, 9 runs, and 11 RBIs, adding a double and steal to seal his second Player of the Week of the season. The 24-year-old is red hot, hitting .367/.387/.700 (173 OPS+) in 14 September games, allowing him to improve his season line to .310/.335/.515 (115 OPS+). Through 135 games he has 25 doubles, 6 triples, 26 homers, 79 runs, and 111 RBIs, proving to be among the best young outfielders in the game.

Watson wasn't alone either, as plenty of bats had excellent weeks. Slugger Gene Case put two more over the fence, 6-for-20 with all but one of his hits fo extra basses. He had a triple and two doubles, adding 6 walks, 6 runs, and 7 RBIs. Buddy Byrd keeps up his nice little streak, 10-for-21 with a double, triple, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, and 4 walks. 4 walks is the most surprising part, as he has just 25 on the season, walking at a 5.2% clip. Rookie Bobby Martinez stayed hot as well, 12-for-29 with a double, a walk, 11 runs, and 3 RBIs. The lefty swinger is averaging over a run per game, 20 in 19 before unfortunately losing his starting spot to the now healthy McMillan. He's still going to get starts in the final two weeks, and he'll have a legitimate chance to poach Jim Barton's spot in 1963. Of course, everyone is worried about Dode Caudill replacing them, so Barton or Martinez could be nice trade pieces while we look to turn this 80 game winner into a champion.

Our rotation was great, and both two-start starters were excellent. Andy Logue won his 9th and 10th game of the season, beating the Imperials and Cannons. Depending on how you judge starts, either could be the better one, as he had a complete game win in New York, but allowed fewer runs in Chicago. With the Imps, he allowed 9 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts, but considering it took just 118 pitches and he doesn't usually go deep into games, it was an extremely impressive start. But against the Cannons, Logue allowed just 1 run off 7 hits with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts, completing 7 innings before Cuppett went to the pen. For Roy Ellis, it was easy to discern the better start, as when he faced the Cannons, he went all nine. Ellis allowed just 5 hits and 2 runs with 6 strikeouts, improving to 10-5 on the season. He was also the pitcher for our loss to the Kings, but Ellis was not given a decision. He went just 6, allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, and 2 walks with just a single strikeout. Our most effective starter this season, he's got a 3.61 ERA (126 ERA+) and 1.18 WHIP with 134 strikeouts and just 50 walks in 189.2 innings pitched.

Looking Ahead
Games don't matter as much now, as things are all but over, but they count for our record and all the stats read just the same. Off to start the week, we'll open with three in Chicago, hosting the 9th place Wranglers. At 56-83, the 62-77 Saints will be tough to catch, making it likely that Dallas will finish 9th, where they've been most of the year. Winning here is crucial, as after that it's three with the first place Sailors. Even if we sweep them, they're seven up of the Kings, and should be a lock for their first pennant in over a decade. They just saw old pal Zane Kelley do one of the most improbable things, recording a three homer game in a 3-hit shutout. Kelley is one of baseball's worst hitters, entering the game 1-for-55, and he had just one homer in his prior 478 plate appearances. But on September 16th, he drew in his inner Max Morris, hitting a home run on each of his first three swings.

Minor League Report
1B Ed Duncan (AAA Milwaukee Blues): No need to rehash what I wrote last post, but Ed Duncan homered in back-to-back games against the Fort Wayne Warriors to hit his 299th and 300th Century League home run. He's had the second most homers for a while, and I think I've committed to letting him play regularly in Milwaukee for the foreseeable future. In a sense, he's a historic player here, as for ten seasons he was part of the independent Denver Bears. Now affiliated, that team goes by the name Bruins now, the highest level of the Dallas Wrangler system. Duncan was given his release early in the partnership, and after being left unsigned for a few months he finally agreed to sign with us. Now that all six Century League teams are affiliated, there wasn't anyone willing to give him everyday playing time, but now that's finally changed.

2B Rafael Zambrano (B San Jose Cougars): I debated promoting 20-year-old Rafael Zambrano to Rockford, but for his sake it might have been a good thing. He's not happy, but I think being named Player of the Week should cheer him up a little. Going 12-for-21 with a triple and three double, he was the best C-O-W performer. It gave a nice boost to his now .274/.301/.369 (92 OPS+) batting line on the season. A 3.3 BB% has been his downfall, though he does have 20 doubles, 4 triples, 7 homers, 34 RBIs, and 49 runs. A former 3rd Rounder, he's our 20th ranked prospect and inside the top-500 at 426. A versatile bench bat, he's a shortstop that's better at second, and I'm sure he'd pick up third easily. A decent athlete, he has a quick bat and makes hard contact, but he's just not experienced enough at the plate to truly excel at the plate. What works in his favor is his work ethic, as he's always looking for ways to improve his game. It's nice seeing him finish the season with a week like this, as with a big offseason he could work his way into the Wildcat liineup.

RHP John Allen (B San Jose Cougars): Another shutout for John Allen, as the 21-year-old righty was in command from start to finish against the Everett Eagles. Now with one in each of the last three months, this time he allowed 3 hits and 2 walks with 8 strikeouts, improving to 9-15 with a 3.91 ERA (83 ERA+) on the season. One of the least inspiring arms in the #1 rotation, he has the worst ERA of any guy who's made a start, but he seems to be effected by our mediocre defense. He's a true innings eater with nice stuff, and I'm hoping to open a spot for him in Rockford next season. I already sent up Art Ozburn (8-8, 2.56, 110) and Roy Weinberger (2-2, 3.26, 102), but we don't really have many legit pitching prospects. I'm sure some guys will get cut and/or traded, opening up a spot for Allen.