[ayaghmour2]

June 27th, 2023: We're hosting the Indians for a quick two game set. Jace Vines (3-5, 5.51 ERA, 1.67 WHIP) gets the start against Triston McKenzie (4-5, 4.60 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) in the opener. With 4 in the 6th, we took the opener 4-3.

Vines allowed 3 runs and 6 hits in 4 innings with 3 walks and 8 strikeouts. Max Povse pitched the 5th, but was diagnosed wil elbow inflammation and will head to the DL. Phil Maton got the win, pitching the 6th with a walk and strikeout. Koda Glover and Joe Jimenez got holds, and Yasukazu SHoitani got the save.

Thomas Dillard was 2-for-4 with a double, run scored, and RBI. Cole Roederer was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Nick Gordon was 1-for-4 with a run scored, RBI, and triple.

With Povse headed to the DL, I recalled Tyler Jay from his rehab assignment.

June 28th, 2023: Jake Junis (3-2, 4.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) made his Marlins debut against Jhon Vergara (4-6, 5.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) as we looked to sweep the quick two game series. Nick Gordon loves facing Vergara, going 8-for-19 against the righty. Our bats were scilenced, and we dropped the fianle 6-1.

Junis allowed 3 runs off 10 hits in 7 innings with a walk and 7 strikeouts. Joe Jimenez was charged with 2 runs (1 earned) with a hit and 2 strikeouts. Dustin May allowed a run in an inning with a hit, walk, and 2 strikeouts.

We only managed 4 hits all game. Ryan Mountcastle was 1-for-3 with a double while Gordon was 1-for-3 with a walk and RBI. Cole Roederer was 0-for-1 with a caught stealing, but walked twice and scored the only run.

The Phillies have now won 10 in a row with new manager David Bell. The team is 12-3 since he replaced John Farrell, but they are just 34-43 on the season and 11.5 games out.

Tomorrow was a day off, before the Dodgers came to town for four.

June 29th, 2023: The Dodgers will be without RHP Jose A. Ramirez for the rest of the year. He tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his first season in Dodger blue.

Taylor Trammell of the Reds hit for the cycle in a 7-6 win over the Brewers.

The Mets SS Ronny Mauricio was 5-for-6 in an 18-3 win over San Diego.

Looking at the upcoming series with the 39-40 Dodgers, we'd see Clayton Kershaw (5-1, 3.86 ERA), Robinson Ortiz (3-2, 4.54 ERA), Dennis Santana (3-5, 5.99 ERA), and Gerrit Cole (2-8, 4.90 ERA).

June 30th, 2023: Walker Buehler (7-4, 4.03 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) got the ball against his former team and teammate Clayton Kershaw (5-1, 3.86 ERA, 1.36 WHIP). He treated the fans to a 1-0 shutout.

Buehler bounced back from his rough start, going 6.1 innings with just 4 hits, 2 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Koda Glover and Tyler Jay got holds before Shiotani got the save.

There wasn't much offense on either side in the opener. Mountcastle was 1-for-2 with a walk and double. Nick Gordon was 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored. Shoehi Ohtani was 1-for-3 and drove in the only run of the game, off former Marlin John Curtiss.

Mike Soroka of the Braves struck out 15 in a 1-0 win over the Rockies. He allowed just 4 hits and a walk in 8 innings.

July 1st, 2023: For the third straight month, Seth Beer was named Rookie of the Month. He hit .263 with 7 doubles, 7 homers, 15 runs scored, and 13 RBI's. He seems like a lock to win Rookie of the Year this year.

Down in AAA, CL Ben Popkin won Plitcher of the Month with 10 strikeouts in 12 innings with 8 saves, a 2-0 record, and 3.00 ERA.

Game two of four saw Jordan Montgomery (6-1, 2.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) duel Robinson Ortiz (3-2, 4.54 ERA, 1.17 WHIP). It took 12 innings, but we edged the visitors 8-7 on a walk off single by Mickey Moniak of former Marlin John Curtiss.

Montgomery had a rough start, lasting just 2.2 innings with 4 hits, 5 runs, a walk, but 6 strikeouts. Luiz Gohara tossed 2.1 innings of mop up, allowing 2 more runs with 2 hits, a walk, and 3 strikeouts. The rest of the pen combined for 7 scorless innings with 4 hits, 3 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Shiotani pitched 2 innings with a walk and 4 strikeouts, and Dustin May earned the win with the last 2 innings. He allowed a hit, 2 walks, and got a strikeout.

Mickey Moniak was 3-for-7 with a double, triple, 2 RBI's, and a steal. Lewis Brinson hit a pinch hit 3 run homer in the 5th inning. Ryan Mountcastle hit a pinch hit 2 run double in the 6th. Thomas Dillard was 2-for-5 with a double, walk, and RBI. Cole Roederer was 3-for-5 with a walk and 3 runs scored.

July 2nd, 2023: Today the International Pool was published! There's one player I really, really want, as well as a few other solid players. It's a better class then last year.

Jordan Montgomery asked for an extension, but he still wants too much. We negotiated a litte, but we're still too far apart.

I extened all my personell that would accept an extension, except manager Don Mattingly. He's old and I don't like a lot of things he's done, but if we do well in the playoffs, I'd extend him.

Fan vote update: Dillard remains first, Montgomery passed Buehler, but they are still 3rd and 4th. Former Marlin Victor Arano is 5th for relievers, and is having an amazing year with the Brewers, 2-2 with 3 saves and a 1.41 ERA. He has 60 strikeouts in 38.1 innings and a 0.94 WHIP. Can't complaing about Dillard though, so i can't say I miss him too much.

We looked to take the third game with A.J. Puckett (3-2, 4.96 ERA, 1.78 WHIP) taking on Dennis Santana (3-5, 5.99 ERA, 1.36 WHIP). Puckett has had a great stetch as of late, and it continued in a 4-1 win. Only problem, he left with an injury...

He tosed 5 innings with 4 hits, a run, a walk, and 4 strikeout. Ohtani got a hold, walking and striking out 2 in the 6th. Dustin May earned a hold, and Joe JImenez a 1.2 inning save.

Jose Ramirez was 2-for-4 with a double, 2 RBI's, and a steal. Mickey Moniak was 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored. We could sweep the four game set tomorrow.

July 3rd, 2023: We lucked out with Puckett, as it's just a stiff back and he'll be able to make his next start.

We;re all the way up to 2nd in the Power Rankings now, behind just San Diego. At 49-32, we have a nice 6 game lead over the Mets.

We looked to finish the sweep with Jace Vines (3-5, 5.58 ERA, 1.70 WHIP) facing Gerrit Cole (2-8, 4.90 ERA, 1.29 WHIP). Brendan Rodgers has been cold of late, but loves facing Cole, 8-for-20 with 2 homers. Today was ugly, as we allowed 8 in the 8th and 6 in the 9th.

Vines allowed 4 runs off 6 hits in 3.2 innings with 4 walks and 5 strikeouts. Joe Jimenez, who's been excellent all year, allowed 8 runs off 6 hits with 2 walks and was only able to get one out. Tyler Jay went 1 inning, allowing 2 hits and 5 runs with 3 walks and 1 strikeout. Mickey Moniak had to get the last out of the 9th, but first allowed 2 hits, 2 walks, and a run. Not sure why they didn't move Ohtani to pitcher and play Moniak in the outfield, but it wouldn't really make a difference.

Thomas Dillard and Jose Ramirez were 1-for-5 with solo homers. Cole Roederer was 3-for-5 with a double and a steal. Lewis Brinson was 2-for-4 with a double, steal, and 2 runs scored. Nick Gordon was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a steal.

Koda Glover is suffering from back spasams, and will be sent to the DL. Replacing him will be 23-year-old Ben Popkin. The former 23rd overall pick by the Yankees in 2018 will be set to make his major league debut. He's got closer potential and is rated a 3.5/5 with a 94 knuckle-curve and 93 stamina. He'll be the new 7th inning guy.

We're off to Atlanta to take on the 4th place Braves. We'll see Lucas Sims (!1-2, 2.17 ERA), Joey Wentz (4-7, 4.11 ERA), and Mike Soroka (6-4, 2.77 ERA). We've got a 7.5 game lead over them, but it's always better to increase leads.