1951, 8/16 THRU 8/31
8/16 DET @ WSH:
WIN 4-0 Hal Andrew (18-12, 4.20) allowed only 2H & 2BB in a CG shutout for the win and POG. Raul Velazquez (10-7, 3.67) gave up 4R in 7IP for the loss. Top WSH hitter was LF Tom Foraker who went 1 for 3, 1BB. For us, Luther Ormiston went 1 for 3, 1R, 3RBI, 1BB, 1HR. Ray Kress went 3 for 4, 1R. Dennis Kitterman went 3 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1SB.
8/17 DET @ WSH:
WIN 2-0 Bud Ulrich (12-10, 4.25) pitched 8 shutout innings for the win and POG. Lloyd Wyman pitched a scoreless 9th for this 13th save. Van Melbourn (3-5, 4.44) gave up only 2R in a CG loss. Top WSH hitters were RF Boyd Mylchreest (2 for 2, 2BB) & Van Melbourn (2 for 3). For us, Rollin Fish went 3 for 4, 1DBL. Carl Sandoz went 2 for 3, 1BB, 1DBL. Dennis Kitterman went 1 for 3, 2R, 1RBI, 1BB, 1HR, 1SB.
8/18 DET @ WSH:
WIN 12-5 Roy Wolfe (13-15, 4.56) got the win giving up 5R in 8.1IP. Eric Slater (10-16, 4.89) gave up 10R in 6IP. Top WSH hitters were Eric Slater (2 for 3, 1DBL), SS Tuck Hugley (1 for 5, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR) & CF Delmar Yordy (3 for 4, 1R). For us, Dennis Kitterman got POG going 4 for 5, 2R, 3RBI, 1HR, 2SB. Smokey Meacham went 3 for 5, 1R, 2RBI, 1DBL. Ray Kress went 1 for 4, 2R, 1RBI, 1BB, 1HR.
HOLY CRUD, Ray Kress committed an error. It's only his second error in about 6 years now. But still, that was a big surprise to see.
8/19 DET @ NYY:
WIN 8-0 Corky Stell (15-9, 2.94) pitched 7 shutout innings for the win. Alan Paule completed the shutout pitching the last 2 innings. John Skoropat (4-9, 5.15) gave up 8R in 3.1IP for the loss. Top Yank hitter was 1B John Wilson (3 for 3, 1BB, 2DBL). For us, George the Instigator Young gave Kitterman a day off and earned POG going 2 for 5, 1R, 4RBI, 1 GrandSlam. Ray Kress went 2 for 5, 2R, 1RBI, 1HR. Matt Perly went 1 for 4, 1R, 3RBI, 1BB, 1HR. Young's 464 foot shot was the longest of his ML career and 4RBI's was a personal best.
8/20 DET @ NYY:
WIN 9-3 Hal Andrew (19-12, 4.16) got the win giving up 3R in 8.1IP. Eric Williams (10-11, 4.00) gave up 7R in 4.1IP for the loss. Top Yank hitter was 2B Leroy Powell (2 for 4). For us, Luther Ormiston got POG going 2 for 4, 2R, 2RBI, 1BB, 1HR. Matt Perly went 1 for 5, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR. Hal Andrew went 2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1DBL.
8/21 DET @ NYY:
WIN 5-4 Bud Ulrich gave up only 2R in 8IP for POG. Lloyd Wyman (6-5, 5.08) blew the save but held on for the win giving up 2R in 1.2IP. Don Vonkitzing got the final out for his 8th save. Carpenter Erickson gave up 4R in 7IP but the loss went to Maury Baum who gave up a 10th inning solo HR to Ray Kress. Top Yank hitters were CF John Young (2 for 5, 1R, 1RBI, 1TRPL) & RF Arnie Stewart (2 for 5, 1DBL, 1TRPL). For us, Ray Kress subbed in late in the game and went 1 for 1, 2R, 1RBI, 1BB, 1HR. Dennis Kitterman went 2 for 3. Matt Perly went 2 for 4, 1RBI, 1DBL.
8/22 WSH @ DET:
WIN 4-3 Roy Wolfe (14-15, 4.52) got the win giving up 3R in 8IP. Lloyd Wyman redeemed his self striking out all three 9th inning batters for his 14th save. Eric Slater (10-17, 4.88) gave up 4R in 8IP for the loss. Top WSH hitters were SP Eric Slater (2 for 3, 1HR), 3B Don McFarland (2 for 3, 1R) & LF Tom Foraker (2 for 4). For us, Luther Ormiston went 1 for 3, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR for POG. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 4. Roy Wolfe went 1 for 2.
8/23 WSH @ DET:
loss 2-3 Corky Stell (15-10, 2.95) only gave up 3R in 8IP for the loss. Chris Frays (14-13, 3.53) got the win and POG giving up 1R in 5.1IP. Top WSH hitter was 2B Dean Parente (3 for 4, 1R, 1DBL, 1SB). For us, Rollin Fish went 1 for 2, 2BB, 1HR.
8/24 WSH @ DET:
WIN 4-2 Hal Andrew (20-12, 4.10) got the win and POG giving up 2R in 8IP. Don Vonkitzing pitched a hitless 9th for his 9th save. Raul Velazquez (10-9, 3.60) gave up 3R (0ER) in 6.1IP for the loss. Top WSH hitters were 2B Dean Parente (2 for 4, 1DBL) & 3B Jim Dunkel (1 for 3, 1R, 2RBI, 1BB, 1HR). For us, Matt Perly went 3 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1SB. Ray Kress went 2 for 4, 1RBI, 1DBL.
8/25 WSH @ DET:
WIN 4-1 Bud Ulrich (13-10, 4.03) got the win and POG giving up 1R (0ER) in 8IP. Don Vonkitzing pitched a scoreless 9th for this 10th save. Van Melbourn (4-6, 4.15) gave up 4R in 7.1IP for the loss. WSH was held to 2 hits and both of those came from 2B Dean Parente (2 for 4, 1RBI, 1DBL). For us, Smokey Meacham went 2 for 4, 3R, 1RBI. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 4, 2RBI, 1BB. Carl Sandoz went 2 for 4, 1R, 1TRPL.
8/26 DET @ PHI:
WIN 8-7 Roy Wolfe gave up 7R in 4.1IP. The win went to Alan Paule (3-1, 3.78) who pitched 3.1 scoreless innings. Don Vonkitzing got his 3rd save in 3 consecutive days and his 5th save in his last 6 games by pitching a scoreless 9th. Terry Mart gave up 4R in 7.1IP. The loss went to Billy Crowell (10-5, 4.20) who gave up 2HR and was unable to hold in the 9th. Top A's hitters were CF Todd Walker (1 for 4, 1R, 4RBI, 1HR), 2B Ace Habermehl (2 for 4, 1R, 1RBI, 1SB), LF Peaches Badeau (2 for 4, 1R, 1BB, 1DBL) & C Matt Gazarek (2 for 4, 1R, 1BB). For us, Ray Kress subbed in mid game and went 2 for 2, 1R, 3RBI, 1HR for POG. Smokey Meacham also subbed in at mid game and went 1 for 2, 1HR. Dave Castaneda went 2 for 4, 1R. Rollin Fish went 2 for 4, 1RBI, 1DBL. Matt Perly was 2 for 2, 1RBI, 1TPRL until leaving mid game with after injuring his leg trying to stretch out that triple. He's expected to be day to day for at least a week.
8/27 DET @ PHI:
WIN 6-0 Corky Stell was awesome earning POG for allowing only 4H and no BB for a CG shutout win. Bob Stevens (16-5, 2.72) gave up 6R in 7IP for the loss. Top A's hitter was LF Greg Morris (1 for 3, 1SB). For us, Dirtbag Degal went 2 for 4, 1R, 3RBI, 1DBL, 1HR. Luther Ormiston went 1 for 5, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR.
8/28 DET @ PHI:
loss 4-7 Hal Andrew (20-13, 4.20) gave up 6R in 7.1IP for the loss. Ellis Weeks (17-6, 2.34) got the win giving up 4R in 8IP. Top A's hitters were 3B Bud Ayers (2 for 4, 2HR, POG), C Hershell Lee (1 for 3, 1BB, 1HR), LF Peaches Badeau (2 for 3, 2DBL) & 1B Sal Poulos (3 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1DBL). For us, Ray Kress went 2 for 4, 1RBI. Dirtbag Degal went 2 for 3, 1R, 1RBI, 1BB.
8/29 NYY @ DET:
WIN 6-2 Bud Ulrich (14-10, 3.97) got the win giving up 2R in 8.1IP. Eric Williams (10-13, 4.16) gave up 6R in a CG loss. Top Yank hitters were CF John Young (2 for 4) & 1B John Wilson (1 for 4, 1HR). For us, Luther Ormiston got POG going 3 for 4, 2R, 3RBI, 2HR. George Young gave Kitterman a 2nd day off and went 2 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR. Mitch Ferron gave Castaneda the day off and went 2 for 3, 1R. Smokey Meacham gave Degal the day off and went 1 for 4, 1HR.
8/30 NYY @ DET:
WIN 3-0 Roy Wolfe (15-15, 4.53) pitched a 3H CG shutout for the win and POG. Carpenter Erickson (9-9, 3.92) gave up 3R in 6.2IP for the loss. Top Yank hitter was 2B Lonnie Christensen (1 for 3). For us, Luther Ormiston went 2 for 3, 1R, 1RBI, 1BB, 1DBL, 1TRPL. Rollin Fish went 1 for 3, 2RBI.
8/31 NYY @ DET:
loss 3-5 Corky Stell (16-11, 2.83) gave up 3R (2ER) in 6.2IP for the loss. Chief Harrington (7-12, 4.07) got the win giving up 2R in 8IP. Top Yank hitters were RF Jimmy Ditty (4 for 5, 1R, 2RBI, 2DBL, POG), SS Pip Seneca (3 for 5, 1R, 1DBL), 1B John Wilson (2 for 4, 1R, 2RBI, 1HR). For us, Isaac Michell went 1 for 4, 1HR & Ray Kress PH a solo HR.
STANDINGS
75-57, #2 in the AL, 11 GB Philly,
13-3 in the last two weeks 
BAD NEWS
-Despite our 13-3 record in the last two weeks, we still only made up 3.5 games. At this point, I'd have to concede that we are out of the pennant race and should look to setting this team up for next year.
GOOD NEWS
-After I groaned about Dennis Kitterman sucking the first half of the month he turned it around and earned Player of the Week on 8/22 for hitting .619, 2HR & 7 RBI.
-Most of our starters were excellent in the last couple weeks of August as we managed 5 shutouts in 16 games.
-For the month Ormiston and Kress both belted 7HR, Perly hit 6.
-Ray Kress is tied with Tigers pitching coach Kid Fite on the all time AVG leaders - both tied at #24 w/ .329 AVG. Ray has also jumped up to the #18 spot in the career HR leaderboard.
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
-Clinton Darling is slipping all around - age and lack of at bats are slowly taking their toll.
-Don Vonkitzing's endurance slipped - since we are out of the AL race, I'd like to give Vonk a few starts in a temporary 5 man rotation. We lucked out with the fact that none of our starters missed a game… but that ment Vonkitzing spent the entire season in the 'pen and he's always itching to get in a few starts when ever possible.
-Dave Castanada's contact is up against lefties and he is starting to draw more walks.
-John Dirtbag Degal's HR power is up vs everyone - now if he can just get that contact and eye up a bit more... look out. Too bad about that talent plummet in EYE earlier this year, but he's still young, so maybe he'll recover or exceed in another area. I've been trying to give Meacham more and more at bats without killing Degal's growth. Not an easy thing to balance.
BATTING THRU 8/31
Code:
Name G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K AVG OBP SLG
Code:
R. Kress 129 444 151 14 3 37 110 110 98 52 .340 .456 .635
J. Meacham 74 156 51 8 1 8 36 22 16 19 .327 .389 .545
D. Kitterman 127 500 148 18 4 8 52 87 54 48 .296 .368 .396
C. Sandoz 102 323 92 11 5 2 34 38 15 24 .285 .315 .368
C. Darling 52 71 20 3 1 2 9 10 7 12 .282 .342 .437
M. Perly 127 434 122 21 3 25 89 72 67 75 .281 .375 .516
I. Mitchell 91 253 71 8 3 3 27 18 10 16 .281 .306 .372
D. Castaneda 124 474 132 12 4 1 26 67 71 69 .278 .376 .327
R. Fish 122 427 112 21 2 14 67 51 53 39 .262 .341 .419
P. Short 42 81 21 8 1 1 7 7 1 8 .259 .265 .420
L. Ormiston 123 436 105 20 3 28 93 77 78 46 .241 .355 .493
G. Young 21 51 10 1 0 3 10 5 2 4 .196 .226 .392
J. Degal 101 332 65 9 0 8 40 35 29 37 .196 .262 .295
M. Ferron 34 71 12 2 0 0 3 5 5 6 .169 .224 .197
G. Adams 5 12 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 .167 .231 .167
S. Zucal 50 60 9 0 1 0 0 9 11 5 .150 .292 .183
PITCHING THRU 8/31
Code:
Name G GS W L SV ERA IP HA R ER BB K
Code:
H. Andrew 33 33 20 13 0 4.20 251.0 218 128 117 94 172
C. Stell 34 34 16 11 0 2.83 241.1 211 89 76 66 101
R. Wolfe 33 33 15 15 0 4.53 246.1 277 139 124 76 132
B. Ulrich 33 33 14 10 0 3.97 236.0 213 116 104 99 133
L. Wyman 40 0 6 5 14 5.15 43.2 39 25 25 23 30
A. Paule 38 0 3 1 1 3.76 52.2 47 25 22 26 17
S. Brown 16 0 1 0 1 1.99 22.2 20 6 5 8 4
D. Vonkitzing 36 0 1 2 11 3.16 31.1 33 16 11 13 12
S. Leveck 4 0 0 0 0 5.40 3.1 3 2 2 3 0
O. Adkins 27 0 0 1 3 3.95 27.1 28 14 12 16 9
E. Roberts 19 0 0 0 0 7.08 20.1 27 18 16 14 10