[ayaghmour2]

June 26th, 2028: Another week, another #1 ranking. At 52-25, our lead is back up to 5.5 games.

Today we get off before the Giants come to town for three. We'll see Juan Tafoya (8-4, 3.21 ERA), Joe Brausen (4-4, 5.04 ERA), and Dan Poinsette (5-2, 2.43 ERA).

June 27th, 2028: The series opener in a battle of first place teams featured Jorge Flores (4-8, 4.25 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) and Juan Tafoya (3-4, 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP). We have the position advantaged at every position, but that doesn't always translate to wins. Of course, they managed to top us 3-1.

Flores went 7 innings with 4 hits, 3 runs, and 6 strikeouts. The pen tossed 2 perfect frames with 3 strikeouts.

Jarred Kelenic was 3-for-4. Isaac Nunez and Noah Smith were both 1-for-3. Mac Horavth was 0-for-3, but he walked, got a steal, and scored the only run.

June 28th, 2028: We looked to even the series up with Devon Peterson (9-3, 2.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) taking on Joe Brausen (4-4, 5.04 ERA, 1.61 WHIP). We were even worse today, and they shut us out 2-0.

Peterson pitched 6 innings with 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. The pen combined for 3 innings with a hit, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts.

Kelenic was 3-for-4 with a double. Chris Reid was 1-for-2 with 2 walks. Mike Siani had a pinch hit triple. Devon Peterson was 1-for-1 with a sac-bunt.

June 29th, 2028: Twins RHP Brayan Mejia will miss the rest of the year with a torn rotator cuff. He had a 5.24 ERA, but struck out 53 batters in 34.1 innings.

Padres lefty Graeme Stinson will miss the rest of the season with a torn flexor tendon. He was 4-4 in 16 starts with a 3.71 ERA.

We needed to avoid the home sweep with Steve Paustian (8-2, 2.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) taking on Dan Poinsette (5-2, 3.43 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). They absolutely crushed us 9-3, and we were embarrased in front of our home crowd.

Paustian was hit hard, 5 innings with 8 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Roberto Pena tossed 2 innings with 3 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and a strikeout. Blayne Enlow got the final 2 innings, striking out 2 without allowing a base runner.

Mac Horvath was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Jarred Kelenic was 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Chris Reid was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Jackson Miller was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

We're off to Chicago for three with the Cubs. We'll see German Marquez (3-6, 3.70 ERA), Jared Taylor (2-2, 3.46 ERA), and Gabe Hines (5-6, 5.17 ERA).

June 30th, 2028: Atlanta reliever, and former Marlin, Luiz Gohara's career will end today after a torn labrum. The 33-year-old lefty has tossed 884 career innings with a 4.18 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 863 strikeouts in 358 games (126 starts).

We needed to stop doing this thing called losing. At Wrigley Field, Jake Florence (7-1), 3.15 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) took on former Marlin Jared Taylor (2-2, 3.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP) who was shipped out in the Flores deal. They got 3 in the 8th, and took the opener 3-2.

Florence tossed 6 innings with a hit, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Riley Ferrell allowed a run and hit with a strikeout in 0.2 innings. Luis Alcantra tossed 0.2 innings with 4 hits, 2 runs, and a strikeout.

Chris Reid was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Noah Smith was 2-for-4 and Daylen Lile 2-for-5. Isaac Nunez was 1-for-4 with a solo homer. Mac Horvath was 1-for-3 with a walk.

Rays 2B Andrew Vaughn was 5-for-5 in a 10-4 win over the Yankees. Angels RF Pete Crow-Armstrong was 5-for-6 in a 12-2 win over the Rangers.

July 1st, 2028: Jake Florence was named Pitcher of the Month for June. He was 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 6 starts. He struck out 35 in 36.1 innings, and has had a really good season. I'm hoping not good enough to opt-out, but he likely will.

Down in New Orleans, 1B Sean Taylor was named American Confrence Batter of the Month. He hit .385 with 8 homers and 25 RBI's.

We really needed to get back on track as former Cub Luis Ardon (5-3, 3.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) took on German Marquez (3-6, 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). I forgot what winning felt like, so the 10-4 victory felt like ecstasy.

Ardon tossed 7 innings with 6 hits, 3 runs, a walk, and 4 strikeouts. Danny Niewald tossed 2 innings with 2 hits, a run, a walk, and 5 strikeouts.

Daylen Lile was 4-for-6 with 3 runs, 2 RBI's, and a home run. Juan Simental was 2-for-4 with a run scored, 2 RBI's, a double, sac-bunt, and homer. Isaac Nunez was 1-for-5 with a run scored, RBI, and steal. Noah Smith was 1-for-4 with a run scored, walk, 2 RBI's, and steal. Jarred Kelenic was 1-for-4 with a RBI, walk, double, and 2 runs scored. Grant Koch was 1-for-4 with a sac-fly. Mac Horvath was 1-for-3 with a run scored and 2 walks.

July 2nd, 2028: The International Pool was published today. I offered all my money on one player, and I really hope I can sign him. If not, I'll bargain hunt for a bunch of filler players.

I also re-signed most of my coaches up for extensions.

All-Star update: Horvath 3rd for 1B. Reid 2nd for 3B. Ramirez 1st for LF (can't wait till he comes of the DL...), Kelenic 1st for RF. Peterson 1st for SP, Paustian 5th for SP.

The Blue Jays sent RHP's Logan Shore and Josh Ferland to the Padres for 3B Fernando Tatis Jr. I asbolutely love this deal for Toronto.

We looked to take the rubber match as Jorge Flores (4-9, 4.22 ERA, 1.17 WHIP) got to face his former team and Gabe Hines (5-6, 5.17 ERA, 1.49 WHIP). Tied at 1, the Cubs got 5 in the 6th to take a 6-1 lead. We didn't give up, scoring 2 in the 7th and 1 in the 8th to cut the deficit to 6-4. They got one more in the 8th to take a 7-4 lead. We wouldn't give up, and former Cubs Mac Horvath and Ian Happ drew bases loaded walks as we tied the game at 7 to force extras. More bases loaded walks were drawn (by Horvath) in a three run 10th as we came back to win the finale 10-7 in 10.

Mike Sinai and former Marlin Jorge Moya were ejected in the 7th for igniting a bench-clearing brawl. Moya was suspended 7 games, Siani 3. I think this is the first time a player of mine has gotten suspended.

Flores tossed 5.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and 6 runs (2 uneared...). He walked 2 and struck out 6. Sanshiro Onuma allowed a run with a walk and strike out in the 8th. Chad Scoles got the win and Luis Alcantra the save.

Jackson Miller was 2-for-4 with 2 runs, 2 RBI's, 2 walks, and a double. Noah Smith was 2-for-5 with 2 runs and a walk. Isaac Nunez was 1-for-5 with a two run homer. Jon Reid had a pinch hit double in the 9th and later scored. Mac Horvath was 1-for-3 with 2 RBI's and 3 walks. Chris Reid was 1-for-4 with a run scored, 2 walks, and 2 RBI's.

We get tomorrow off before we travel to Boston!