An odd old month indeed.
We begin strongly, grinding out wins like you need to in this part of the season and seemingly pulling away from the pack and headed for a comfortable stretch run. But then we go to St. Louis and drop 4 straight to the Cards and that changes everything, pulling us back to just 5 ahead of the Phillies when they come to the ‘Burgh for a 3-gamer.
A rainout means a double-header the next day, with the early game a marquee matchup between Train and Pete Alexander, arguably the two best pitchers in the NL this year. Walter gets us a handy 3-1 win and then Cooper pitches a gem in the late game, shutting them out on 4 hits in a 2-0 win that certainly settles the nerves. Leblanc, yet to lose since coming across, then goes the distance in the final game to close out a key sweep. Crisis averted, but only briefly, as we proceed to get swept at home by the Braves. Then we unconvincingly win our final two games of this odd old month against the Jints to put our W-L for the sectional at a scratchy 16-12.
All of that notwithstanding, our offensive output continues to be strong throughout the group.
Wilbur Cooper, having a career year, wins his third straight monthly award.
Fortunately, none of the group chasing us makes a decisive move, but all still loom ready to pounce should we trip up. Still neck-and-neck between the Sens and Browns as the AL seems destined for yet another grandstand finish.
Heavy Johnson continues his one-man war on American League pitching. Not only does he look likely to extend his own single-season HR record (he has 26 vs last-season's record-setting 27), he is flirting with hitting 400 and looks an outside chance to break the WAR mark as well (currently held by Honus Wagner with 12.22, HJ has 9.0 to this point). A beast.
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