[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-4
Seasonal Record: 6-6 (t-4th, 2.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Jerry McMillan : 30 AB, 11 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, .367 AVG, .975 OPS
Henry Watson : 25 AB, 9 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .360 AVG, .967 OPS
Jack Gibson : 29 AB, 8 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI, .276 AVG, .931 OPS

Schedule
4-16: Win at Wranglers (5-0)
4-17: Win at Wranglers (8-1)
4-18: Loss at Wranglers (5-6)
4-19: Win at Sailors (5-4)
4-20: Loss at Sailors (2-6)
4-21: Loss at Sailors (3-5)
4-21: Loss at Sailors (3-4): 10 innings

Recap
Ah man... It was more fun last week!

This week was tough, as while we did take two of three from the Wranglers in Dallas, we lost three straight in San Francisco, including a sweep in the double header, to drop that series. I'd say I learned the hard way in the double header that guys can't pitch on short rest, as the AI went to Bob Allen instead of a short rest Roy Ellis, but considering how well Allen pitched, it wasn't the hard way. In fact, if it wasn't for one of our four errors, including three from the elite Tom Halliday, Allen would have had a complete game victory. Going all nine of regulation, two of the three runs he allowed were earned, as Allen finished with 4 hits, a walk, and 4 strikeouts. Unfortunately, Earle Turner's first run of the season led to a Heinie Spitler (.311, 2, 6, 1) walk-off RBI single. That completely changed the scope of the series, turning it from a respectable split to a brutal series loss.

In better news, Don Griffin held a double digit scoreless week, as he won our opener in Dallas with 5 solid frames. Leaving with 3 hits and a strikeout, the pen did great work, with Arch Wilson shouldering three innings of bridge work. If we didn't get 2 in the 8th, he probably leaves in the bottom half for Pug, but instead he got a hold with 2 hits and 2 strikeouts. Allen allowed a hit in the 9th, but he got the outs to complete our 5-0 shutout. Doc's first allowed run came in our 5-3 loss to the Sailors, though he got the no decision. In 5 here, he allowed 5 hits and 2 runs with 3 strikeouts, but through 16 innings the imposing righty has yet to allow a free pass. I'm hoping we can get him deeper into games, he's topped out at 76 pitches, as I'd love to see him around 85. We had a great long start from Roy Ellis, who completed 8 in an 8-1 win. He held Dallas to 6 hits, a run, and 2 walks, striking out 7 to match Doc at 2-0. The top of our rotation has been great, and it's something I hope lasts the rest of the year.

Same for Jack Gibson's power surge, as he added a second three-homer week to become the first FABL slugger with six homers. It was an extra base bonanza, as the 8-for-29 Gibson had a pair of doubles too, scoring and driving in 5 runs. Dode Caudill matched his two-homer week, 7-for-27 with a double, triple, walk, 5 runs, and 4 RBIs. Still no steals or attempts, but Dode's been hitting everything in sight, and he's in a tie for the third most homers in the Conti. The rest of the outfield was great, as we got a nice bounce back from Jerry McMillan. Going from one of our least productive players to one of the most with an 11-for-30 week. McMillan launched two homers of his own, adding a double, walk, 4 RBIs, and 5 runs. Henry Watson had a similar week, 9-for-25 with 2 doubles, a homer, 2 walks, 4 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. Our offense will rely a lot on these four, especially if Gene Case can't get going. Our best bat last year, he's just 8-for-45 now, with just one homer, one double, and a pair of steals. He's a much better hitter then this, and to get back on track, we need to get back in the win column.

Last news of note is a surprising waiver claim, as no one wanted a guy who had 13 consecutive seasons with an above average OPS+ and WRC+ before hitting just .205/.328/.310 (69 OPS+) in 522 PAs last year. That guy is Rex Pilcher, who just turned 33 and recently looked like he was still a star. The longtime Pioneer and Gotham had a 131 WRC+ as recently as 1961, and he's a career .274/.386/.477 (134 OPS+) with 282 doubles, 286 homers, and 955 RBIs. One of the most disciplined players in the league, he has 1,029 career walks, but he's not the type of guy to avoid strikeouts. He swings hard and with authority, and when he first came up, he was as lethal a hitter as ever. Four of his first five WRC+ were above 150, and the fifth was 141. Before last year, it was never below 110, and he still walked in 14.8% of his PAs. Sure, adding an outfielder, especially one that can't play center, kind of crowds things, but I had no expectation of us getting him. He won't join the roster right away, I have to figure out how to fit him in, but he gives us veteran depth with an outstanding work ethic. He doesn't have much range, but he's got 5s for error and arm. In other environments, he could have been a starter, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth, and having a 2-Time All-Star to call off the bench can't hurt.

Looking Ahead
So something bad happened, our sim tonight went ten days instead of seven, so the looking ahead is kind of going to be weird. We have two in New York, two hosting the Stars, three hosting Montreal, and two in Cincinnati. Even worse, both of those extra games were losses, and the rest of the week wasn't that great. Oh well. Plenty more games to go!