[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 4-2
Seasonal Record: 14-13 (t-2nd, 2.5 GB)

Schedule
4-28: Loss at Stars (4-7)
4-29: Win at Stars (2-1)
4-30: Loss at Stars (4-11)
5-2: Win at Wranglers (3-0)
5-3: Win at Wranglers (7-3)
5-4: Win at Wranglers (12-9)

Recap
Much to my surprise, we not only finished 4-2 and got back over .500 to return to a tie for second, but we did it not by taking advantage of the Stars. They looked like last year's squad, taking two of three as we couldn't put runs on the board. The off day helped us re-focus, as our return home was easily our best series of the season. We outscored the then first place Wranglers 22-12, sweeping them right out of Cougars Park. Starting off our May 3-0, we finally have some momentum, and I can be happy with how our start has gone so far.

Most importantly might be the first homer of the season for Tom Lorang, who's two-run blast gave Roger Alford more then he needed for the 3-0 win. Alford didn't go all nine, Pug went to an improving Tom Andress for the 9th, but he allowed just 5 hits and a single walk, lowering his ERA to 3.48 (113 OPS+) on the season. I hate the lack of strikeouts, but he had 6 and 5 in his last two 8 inning starts, and I'll trade some whiffs for no walks or homers. Lorang is now hitting a weird looking .272/.407/.370 (116 OPS+), leading the Conti with 21 walks in 27 games. His defense (2.8 ZR, 1.051 EFF) is as good as usual, and now he's starting to do everything except hit frequent tape measure home runs.

There was nothing to worry about!!! Not my fault he was giving off major Sal Pestilli vibes...

That wasn't the case for John Babb or Andy Babel, who again both out-performed Lorang on the week. Sure, most weeks it's because Lorang didn't do anything, but his 175 WRC+ was below 200, unlike the double Bs. For Babel it was exactly that much, 10-for-23 with 2 doubles, a homer, 4 RBIs, and 4 runs, for Babb it was just the floor. His was 226 -- matching is OPS+ -- as he went 8-for-22 with 3 doubles, 2 homers, 9 RBIs, 6 runs, and 3 walks. Now with 28 RBIs on the season, he has at least 7 more then everyone else in the CA, and his .283/.364/.554 (152 OPS+) batting line is right below the .375/.396/.529 (155 OPS+) Babel has produced, as our two supplementary acquisition have been better then advertised.

As good as the week was, there was one thing to be sad about, as Jim Norris returned to being a 45-year-old pitcher. After three consecutive gems, the lefty got his first loss, allowing 10 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), and 3 walks with 2 strikeouts. Lasting only 4.2 innings, he not getting the groundballs he usually gets. Just 3 on the night after 9, 9, 14, and 7 to start the season, LA managed to elevate his well-located stuff. He's hittable up in the zone, but all players are allowed a rough day at the office. Better is the pen, specifically Tom Andress, who who has thrown five consecutive scoreless outings. All lasted at least an inning, with only even seeing a baserunner. Now in 14.2 innings, he lowered his ERA and WHIP to 3.68 (107 ERA+) and 1.36, going from likely optioned to remaining the stopper. We added a pen arm on waivers, Leroy Williams, who I expected would join the roster right away. Instead, he's likely to wait one more week, as a lot of the runs the pen was giving up did not happen this time around. Thinking we'd have pen woes I also brought in a flurry of veterans on minor league deals, who's chance to return to the highest level may be thwarted before they got going.

Looking Ahead
I'm almost upset we're off to start the week, as we built a ton of momentum off one of our toughest series of the year. Still, its a long season and we haven't had many so far, so I'm appreciate our vets enjoyed spending a day in Chicago away from the diamond and enjoying all the things I'm so luck to enjoy. But once the week turns to Tuesday, it has to be nothing but business, as we have a rare chance to put ourself in first place. Us and the Sailors are 2.5 games out of first, but since we play the first place Kings, we can claim at least a share of the crown with another sweep. Don't plan on it -- the reverse is far more likely -- but we're playing good ball and will find a way to sneak Roger Alford (3-2, 3.48, 20) in what could only be a top pitching matchup. Seattle has enviable depth, and since they're off like us, they'll have a chance to adjust their rotation. We do dodge the Moe Lowery (3-2, 2.68, 30) bullet, as he beat the Mavs to extend their snappable win streak to eight, but not only is he's not their only Allen winner, but they even picked up third-year righty Bill Harris (2-2, 2.87, 20) from Cleveland this offseason to truly make this staff look scary. The former 3rd Round pick was one of many to start a Conti high 37 games, and he's only looked better in Kings apparel. He's striking out hitters at a career best rate (13.0%) and walking them at his lowest (5.2%), about as encouraging of a trend as you can get. I'm interested to see how they can handle our clearly improved lineup, which looked really good at the start of the homestand.

Offense isn't an issue for them, and the reason they lead the West is the Association high 127 runs scored. The unlikely crux of the lineup has been 26-year-old Bob Glowacki, who's hit an elite .350/.485/.675 (220 OPS+) that you might mistake for a prime Hank Williams (.270, 1, 7, 1). Already recognized as a reliable 20+ homer slugger, he has 6 homers in 24 games, picking up 2 doubles, 3 triples, 12 RBIs, 18 runs, and 20 walks. An early Whitney candidate, he's tied for second in homers and the OPS (1.160) leader, and from a 4-hit game to a homer off Bob Goldman on the 11th, all he's done is hit, and Seattle's ability to find and develop prolific players like this one.

Williams himself will miss at least the first game of the series, as he's one of many Kings dealing with an injury. It's a minor intercostal strain, but like Lorang he hasn't been providing the power we've grown accustomed to. He hit 19 homers last year and 20 or more in 13 other seasons 4 spots ahead of our star on the All-Time list. All 492 of his homers have came with the Kings, and he's the obvious franchise leader and a near lock for becoming the 6th player to hit 500 FABL homers. Even without him, there's plenty of support with Mike Griffith (.323, 3, 18) and Fred Tollefson (.278, 3, 13, 3) generally in front and behind him in the lineup. The Wranglers series proved to be far easier then expected, but they had a weakness we could exploit. Seattle doesn't, so our fate hinges on our ability to hit win runners on base.

Our homestand ends with a welcomed guest from the East, as the Montreal Saints come to town for three days. 11-14, they're 5.5 out of first, but cannot be taken seriously. Leading off the order is an enigma of a player, as the '73 Kellogg Winner and former Chief Joe Robertson is no longer the guy he once was. Obviously the Kellogg came with the Kings, his only season with the team who stole him from us in the Rule-5 draft. I'm quite disappointed to learn that he was a 13th Rounder of ours, as the talented center fielder is one of the best in the game, even if he's decided to abandon in his power. As a rookie he slugged 11 homers, but he's adopted a singles only approach. Cougars Park might let his first one out, but through 103 plate appearances he's been plenty valuable without power. His .400/.465/.578 (185 OPS+) batting line is nothing short of elite, and with his speed (3-for-3 on steals) and defensive ability it'll be harder to find a more valuable player.

That is, of course, if he sustains it, as he was never a highly regarded prospect and scouts now aren't yet convinced. For a team that doesn't score runs, it's blessing, as superstar Dixie Turner (.245, 1, 8, 8) has struggled even more then Lorang. That's something they cannot afford, as despite their early pitching successes I don't see that lasting. Hal Bennett (3-0, 1.95, 19) is good but not great, and 26-year-old rookie Don Curtis (1-1, 2.18, 20) is not going to continue pitching at an Allen level pace. A more reliable starter is my former prospect John Roberts (1-4, 3.62, 16), who we traded in what could only be described as an awful deal. Now in 11th year, he's made 352 consecutive starts, playing a key part in two of their recent championships. His 107 ERA+ in 32.1 innings matches the value in his 2,586 career innings, and it's exactly the kind of work you can expect from him. If Montreal's record continues to slip, he's an enticing trade candidate and someone I certainly would keep an eye on. I'd prefer not facing him, but on paper we have a noticeable pitching advantage and should throw the better pitcher each time out. Wins here are crucial, especially since they're unlikely earlier in the week, and the road awaits us until the 20th.

Minor League Report
2B Ernie Dreier (AAA Omaha Plainsmen): Our depth took a major hit early in the Century League season, as the Plainsmen will be without Ernie Dreier for what could be the rest of the season. It's just 11 games, of which he hit .333/.364/.548 (121 OPS+) while trying to play shortstop, as he ruptured his Achilles running the bases. A tough injury for anyone to overcome, it's going to be a lost season for the 25-year-old. He probably entered the offseason thinking he would be finally fighting for a starting job, and instead he got a nightmare diagnosis that might end his big league hopes. This was his last option year, and he has an uphill battle for a roster spot going into next season. To perhaps make that easier, he may want to look to a late season return, as even if the minor league season is over, he could come up for action if the division race is decided weeks in advance.

2B Joe Sterling (AA Memphis Cougars): It's technically a tie, but Joe Sterling became the first Cougar to win a Player of the Week, as our AA infielder was bestowed the honor in the Dixie League. Our 12th Rounder in 1969, he hit an excellent .407/.484/.593 (181 OPS+) with 2 doubles, a homer, 5 runs, 4 RBIs, 4 walks, and even a steal. A little over half his season, he was pretty good the week before too, so his .422/.500/.600 (188 OPS+) line is just a little better. Not one of our more highly regarded prospects, he's not even guaranteed a starting role, which makes this hot start all the more important to him securing an unlikely FABL debut. Previously his best bet was versatility and his wide variety of wisecracks, but a solid contact tool is starting to peak through. A Dixie League vet, it's his fourth stint here, and his .292/.371/.415 (114 OPS+) line in 145 combined games is far closer to average. I'd expect more of that throughout, but he's done a good job getting his name on the map.

RHP Joe Nichols (A Yakima Rams): Not even the first Joe to get a Player of the Week, Joe Nichols was our other Player of the Week. Rare for a pitcher, he was a perfect 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA (442 ERA+) and 0.64 WHIP. It was just 11 innings, but he struck out 10 and walked just 3, pretty impressive for a twice released former 6th Round pick. He was just as good in his first start, even if he didn't get the win, holding a 1.12 ERA (322 ERA+) with 17 strikeouts and just 4 walks in 16 innings pitched. Now with his third organization, he's been with us since 1972, easily the longest tenure in his early career. Still 22, he's not as mature and motivated as you'd like, but the natural talent is there. He'll hover in the high 80s and low 90s with both a fastball and a cutter, part of a deep five mix he's been commanding well. That's not always the case, as what has held him back early on is his tendency to get wild. Another less regarded prospect, he has a lot working against him, but like his name brother he's made a good first impression that could lead to a leash far longer then deserved.