The Black Yankees haven't extended their lead in the FC American, but nor have they let it shrink and now - still 11 1/2 games up with less than 40 to play - look home. Across in the WC National, the East put their foot down with an 18-10 month and now lead by a far more comfortable margin. Not quite done, but I don't see them capitulating.
The other two races look set for big finishes.
In the FC National, the West have hit the front as expected, but the Black Barons are hanging in there, riding a current win streak of 7 to be just a game and a half behind. The Giants' gradual improvement after a slow start continues with a 16-11 sectional that leaves them, too, well within reach at just 4 GB.
Doesn't anybody want to win the WC American? One could certainly think this to be the case as things currently stand. The Grays' 64-63 record is the only won above 500 as we enter the stretch, and their 17-10 August mark pitches them as the form team. Hilldale (11-15 for the month, lost their last 5) and Baltimore (9-18, lost 8 in a row and counting) are both firmly headed in the wrong direction. The Lincoln Giants are just 5 back and the last-placed Liberty Stars a further half-game behind them. So every club is still in this up to their eyeballs.
Awards for August went to the following players:
- FC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Rich Coggins (Crawfords) 356 / 10 HR / 27 RBI.
- FC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: CC Sabathia (Black Yankees) 5-1 / 1.64 / 50 K / 49.1 IP.
- FC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Hector Fajardo (Bacharach Giants) 3-1 / 3.86 / 32 K / 49 IP.
- WC BATTER OF THE MONTH: Adrian Gonzalez (East) 318 / 10 HR / 35 RBI.
- WC PITCHER OF THE MONTH: Frank Barnes (East) 6-1 / 2.65 / 43 K / 54.1 IP.
- WC ROOKIE OF THE MONTH: Ramon Ramirez (Lincoln Giants) 1-0 / 0.57 / 11 SV / 13 K / 15.2 IP.
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