[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-2
Seasonal Record: 52-38 (3rd, 8 GB)
Stars of the Week
Henry Watson : 28 AB, 9 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .321 AVG, .988 OPS
Jack Gibson : 18 AB, 7 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, .389 AVG, 1.254 OPS
Gene Case : 22 AB, 8 H, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .364 AVG, .985 OPS

Schedule
7-11: Win at Cannons (12-6)
7-12: Loss at Cannons (3-5)
7-13: Loss at Cannons (1-2): 13 innings
7-14: Win at Wolves (6-3)
7-14: Win at Wolves (11-2)

Recap
Generally speaking, outscoring your opponents 33-18 means you had an excellent week, but since close game losses were back on the menu, we only came out of the break 3-2. We crushed Charlie Warren (2.1 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) in the opener, but after the 4th inning of game 2, we only scored 2 total runs. Dropping that long extra-inning game was tough, but we couldn't string any runs together. Thankfully, we handled the Wolves like I thought, crushing them 17-5 in the double header, scoring more in each game then they did during the day. We have one more with them after, but we're back to 8 out as the Kings bring a 4-game win-streak into their finally in Cincinnati.

Before our road trip, there was the All-Star game, and all for Cougars made an appearance. None really impressed, as Henry Watson was held hitless in his three at bats. I like to think he was getting the outs out of him, as Watson went 9-for-25 as a Cougar, clubbing three more homers and 8 RBIs to give him 21 and 72 on the season. Those RBIs are third most in the CA, and he's just surpassed the 5 WAR (5.1) mark for the first time this season. Gene Case was 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter, staying in at first, while Jack Gibson just came in during the 7th to play second base. Pug White didn't pitch well, 3 hits to 2 outs, but he was able to fight back with three scoreless in our extra inning loss.

Gibson probably had the best week, as our slugger was 7-for-18 with 2 doubles, 2 homers, 6 RBIs, 3 runs, and a walk. A homer ahead of Watson on the season, his 22 longballs are 5th in the CA, but they've came in just 62 games and 254 PAs. Aside from those two, we only had two other homers, both to unlikely sources. The first was the first of the year from Chappy Sanders, who got to make a pair of starts during the week. 3-for-10, he had a walk and 9th inning grand slam, giving us a comfortable 11-2 lead in game two of the double header. The other was Cal Randall, who was 4-for-16 with a walk, 2 runs, and 7 RBIs. We also got a lot of production from Gene Case, 8-for-22 with a steal, 3 walks, and 4 runs, doubles, and RBIs, as we had guys on base often.

Our starters weren't great, but on the bright side, Don Griffin went 99 pitches! Sure, he allowed 10 hits, 6 runs, and 3 homers, walking 1 and striking out 2 in 4.1 innings, but 99 pitches! And his arm didn't fall off! It might not be a great thing, there's a chance he won't be fully rested for his start on Tuesday, but he's at least passed 80 in 4 of his last 5 starts. Our 2 stamina ace, it's a nice preview considering our 1st Rounder Hub Russell saw his stamina dip from 3 to 2. Doc was never at 3, so at least Hub seemingly can go deeper then him, but despite this recent ERA and WHIP bump he's been a reliable presence in the rotation. Not at the level of Ken Stone, who again went 7 innings, allowing just 4 hits, a run, and a walk with 4 strikeouts. An All-Star worthy pitcher, Stone did not record a decision, but he lowered his ERA and WHIP to 2.66 (155 ERA+) and 1.26 on the season. John Mitchell made an excellent spot start, 8 innings with 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts in his return to FABL. Hank Walker pitched his second complete game of the season, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and 5 walks, striking out 5 to win his 8th straight decision. Our well ran clubhouse (thanks Cal, Henry, and Bob Decker!) has really controlled Walker's antics this season, and it's allowed him to return to an excellent mid-rotation presence.

Over the break, we also extended all of our FABL coaches with expiring deals, with a lot of our minor league coaches being left unsigned. Five of the FABL staff was retained, all coaches in their second year, and all but one got two year extensions. The holdout was Earle Robinson, who I'd love to upgrade on, but "Outstanding" former Sailors pitching coach Howie Eades rather not get paid then work with one of the best pitching staffs in the league. His loss! Even with the extension, I'd consider replacing Robinson after the season ends, but he's at least excellent when it comes to pitching and we certainly can do worse. Extending AGM Tommy Byerly was more just because he's a good scout, but the rest were big moves. We locked in "Outstanding" hitting coach Joe Clark, as well as teaching gurus Elmer de Gray and Bob Harris. de Gray will return as bench coach, and he currently handles catching (outstanding) and outfield (legendary). Harris then returns as third base coach, and he has outstanding across the board for teaching. The biggest pulls are the running, outstanding teachers are very rare, and even excellent in-game runners like Harris are tough to fine. We're lucky to have him and John J. Wilson, as the legendary infield teacher is also an excellent in-game runner, which to have had a great impact on our top baserunners.

Looking Ahead
One more in Toronto, as we'll look to Dick Champ (4-9, 4.93, 63) for his first start of the second half. Who he faces is yet to be determined, as while Bill Medley (10-7, 3.68, 82) is the scheduled starter, he pitched four days ago in a double header with the Kings. Their pen is absolutely gassed too, playing six games and four days, and all six regular members of the pen are gassed. This could lead to one of their AAA Georges, Adams (3-1, 5.05, 33) or Hoxworth (2-6, 8.82, 32), getting recalled for a spot start. Hoxworth no longer looks like a 2-Time All-Star, and Adams was roughed up in the Wolves pen, but both guys are rested, and both can eat innings for them. While they haven't pitched well, they have plenty of threats in the lineup, including All-Star snubs Chick Reed (.317, 25, 61) and Ed Savage (.311, 13, 49). Reed is super entertaining, as 3 of his 4 walks this season came during a five game stretch, and he it took 192 PAs for the first one. Him, Savage, and Sid Cullen (.299, 12, 37) form a talented outfield, while Tom Reed (.230, 11, 43) is starting to hit better and Phil Story (.273, 10, 29, 9) is starting to break out in year three. Finishing off the sweep would be nice, and in all honesty probable, but unless you're playing the Imps and Wranglers, wins have not come easy this year.

Speaking of not coming easy, the only thing easy about our next series would be losing it, as we'll welcome the powerhouse Kings for three games. Like Toronto, they're dealing with a lot of double headers, so perhaps the front three in our rotation can take advantage of a tired team. Granted, I don't think anyone can take advantage of Hank Williams (.373, 26, 85), and their lineup gets a little better with the return of Tom Hicks (.303, 3, 23, 7). More importantly, there defense gets better, as Hicks has some of the highest range in the outfield, a 5 for range and CF defense at 20. KC will also be without Allie Boone (5-4, 3.23, 97) and Beau McClellan (7-9, 3.69, 99), both of which pitched in their double header sweep of the Cannons. We'll get stuck with Gene Bailey (14-2, 2.82, 101), but I think the rest of the games will go to short-rested guys or young, beatable pitchers. The focus then goes on stopping Williams, Pat Davis (.298, 8, 54, 22) and Ken Newman (.297, 17, 55, 5), which is no easy task. I'm definitely nervous, but we're playing nearly .700 ball at Cougars Park, 31-14 (.689) compared to 21-24 on the road. If we're going to beat the Kings, it's this series, but I know better then to put my faith in the Cougars doing what we should do!

Okay, I do have faith in us handling the Imperials, as at 30-62 they're just percentage points above the 29-61 Wranglers for last. We'll deal with the Imps in New York, playing four games in three days, a double header proceeding our Monday off day. The slowest team in baseball, they have just 8 steals, less then McMillan (16), Dode (12), and Case (10) on their own. Even Buddy Byrd has 5 in just 48 PAs, good enough to break the Walt tie between Bantle (.250, 2, 16, 3) and Denny (.253, 3, 25, 3) for the team lead. Denny is actually an interesting player, even if he has a 78 WRC+ and -1.0 WAR, as I not only tried to claim him off waivers last August, but trade for him during the offseason. A speedy switch hitter who puts the ball in play a ton, he's got 4 contact and 5 gap, he just doesn't walk or hit home runs. A rangy outfielder, he's excellent in the corners, but he's had some struggles out in center. That's a common theme, the struggling, as now that Frankie Sawyer (5-6, 3.71, 71), their rotation consists only of pitchers with ERAs above 5.25. The offense is a bit better, mostly because of Turk Ramsey (.286, 24, 65), but Vern Reynolds (.278, 9, 29) and Del Gaines (.260, 7, 16) are both useful 26-year-olds. Gaines is another target of mine, I wanted him as a free agent but the Imps could doffer a little more money, so at least they have some young guys to get excited about. Regardless, they're an easy opponent and the perfect team to face after the Kings, allowing us a chance to recover on the road if we flounder at home.

Minor League Report
3B Mooney Vetter (AAA Century League): A return to the Century League was perfect for Mooney Vetter, who quickly won himself a Player of the Week. Appearing in all seven games for the Blues, he was 12-for-29 with a double, 2 homers, and 4 RBIs giving him more homers this week then he had hits in 8 games with us. Now hitting .340/.361/.504 (140 OPS+), Vetter has returned to his customary third base, as we recently picked up defensive star Elmer Walters to handle short. I may eventually give him some reps at second, opening short back up for Vetter, but he's an excellent third basemen and provides us with good defense wherever he plays.

If only he could hit like he does in AAA in Chicago...

CF Bill Reinhard (A Rockford Wildcats): A guy who I totally thought was in Little Rock, it's a good thing Bill Reinhard won Player of the Week, or else he'd still be in Rockford for the foreseeable future. A potentially FABL ready hitter, Reinhard has better visual ratings then Dode Caudill, and is hitting an absurd .332/.457/.561 (171 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 6 triples, 12 homers, 51 RBIs, 56 runs, and 58 walks. This comes after his 14-for-23 week, as Reinhard launched 3 homers with a triple, 2 doubles, 5 walks, 10 runs, and 11 RBIs. Currently ranked 9th in our system and 170th overall, he's ahead of most of the new draftees, with just our potential future aces (Kern 32, Hub 44) and Clem Barney (165) ahead of him on the league's list. An improving defender, he's showing the range for center, while also playing decent corner infield defense. His defensive profile is somewhat similar to Watson, another center fielder who can handle the corner infield, it's just Watson is a hair taller and a better outfield defender. Rule-5 eligible in the offseason, he's nearly a lock to be protected, and depending on how things go he could get a callup in September. Until then, he'll join Orlando Benitez and Cliff Coleman in the Little Rock outfielders, two other outfield prospects in our top-10.