[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 2-5
Seasonal Record: 79-61 (3rd, 6.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Leo Mitchell : 29 AB, 11 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .379 AVG, 1.006 OPS
Clark Car : 26 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .346 AVG, .854 OPS
Hank Barnett : 28 AB, 7 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .250 AVG, .729 OPS

Schedule
9-13: Win at Kings (2-0)
9-14: Win at Kings (5-1)
9-15: Loss at Kings (3-5)
9-17: Loss at Saints (1-3)
9-18: Loss at Saints (2-5)
9-19: Loss at Saints (7-10)
9-19: Loss at Saints (4-5)

Recap
This week was a huge wasted opportunity, is even after dropping our last five, we managed to make up a half game over the floundering Cannons. If we went at least 4-3, we'd be just 4.5 out and with a better 5-2 we would have been within 3.5. But instead, we'll start a tough week with the Wolves and Cannons closer to elimination then first. Our season is now effectively over, but for one Cougar, it is official. That of course, is the always injured Billy Hunter, who has once again sprained his knee. Hunter managed to make just 213 trips to the plate this season, hitting an above average .296/.335/.382 (109 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 2 triples, a homer, and 19 RBIs. Crazy enough, those 213 PAs are his highest total since 1939, same goes for his 55 games. Lucky enough for us, it coincides with the return of Skipper Schneider, who's shoulder is now 100%. Despite missing three weeks, his 6.8 WAR is still tied for the CA lead, and the soon-to-be 23-year-old is hitting .286/.342/.377 (109 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 4 triples, 4 homers, 7 steals, and 59 RBIs. Having Skipper these last three weeks could have made a huge difference, potentially within striking distance of first as the season winds down. Of course, underperforming our 87-54 expected record hasn't helped too much either...

The offense was extremely unproductive, which didn't apply to the hopeful batting title winner Leo Mitchell. Mitchell was 11-for-29 with 2 homers, 2 walks, 3 RBIs, and 5 runs scored and named Player of the Week in the Continental Association. His .326 batting average is 14 points higher then the Sailors' Marion Boismenu, and it is looking more and more likely that he'll win his first batting title. Clark Car went 9-for-26 with 3 doubles, a steal, 4 runs, and an RBI. Hank Barnett hit another homer, going 7-for-28 with 2 doubles, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. On the other side, Cliff Moss had a hitless week, 0-for-17 with a pair of walks. Our center fielders didn't do well either, with Orlin Yates 0-for-7 and Dan Fowler 2-for-14. Not very much went right, but I'm hoping we have a little more in the tank to finish the season on a high note.

The pitching wasn't much better, as Dick Lyons allowed 6 hits and runs in just a single inning pitched. He was then replaced with Frank Crawford, who didn't fair much better in his Cougar debut. He was charged with 5 hits, 4 runs, and 4 walks with a strikeout in 4.1 innings pitched. Johnnie Jones was roughed up too, 10 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched. Joe Brown made two starts, including his second consecutive 2-hit shutout. This one came with a walk and 4 strikeouts. His second start was sabotaged by errors, as four of his five runs were unearned as we lost 5-2. He allowed 8 hits with a walk and 3 strikeouts. Jim Lonardo picked up two starts, a win and loss. He was effective against the Kings, just a run with 5 hits, 2 walks, and a strikeout in a complete game win. Then against the Saints he allowed 8 hits, 5 runs, and a walk with a strikeout. The last start went to Art White, who allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, and 4 walks with a strikeout in 8 innings pitched. With some better starts we could have had an improved week, and would have been plotting a way to overtake first instead of wondering what could have been.

Looking Ahead
Two off days before starting a tough three game set with the Wolves. This is huge for Toronto, as they are just 3 games behind the Cannons for the top spot in the CA. A big reason for their big season has been Walt Pack, who has slashed .282/.357/.453 (125 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 19 homers, and 82 RBIs. He hasn't gotten much support outside of Juan Pomales (.288, 2, 39, 18; 3-4, 1, 4.55, 16) and Mike Rollinson (.301, 3, 53, 4), and their only other above average hitter is Clarence Howerton (.281, 2, 47). Despite that, they score a decent amount of runs and they generally pitch well. Whenever Joe Hancock (18-8, 2.78, 107) is on the mound they have the chance to win, and they've gotten consistently good outings from Jimmy Gibbs (12-7, 1, 2.25, 51) and Bernie Johnson (15-8, 2.77, 49). They also have an elite stopper in Lou Jayson (10-2, 14, 1.40, 44) who is a big part of why they are 31-16 in those pesky one run games. I'm really not sure what's going to happen in this series, but my guess is it won't matter whether we win or lose.

It doesn't get easier, as our weekend plans are three games in two days with the Cannons. At 85-55, they're 3 up over the Wolves and 6.5 above us. They should be far clear, as they've slumped, and while not quite as bad as our -8, their record is six wins fewer then their run differential would suggest. Part of that has been due to a lack of run support for Rufus Barrell, who is just 16-11 despite a league best 2.13 ERA (162 ERA+) and league high 129 strikeouts. Him and Joe Brown will compete for the triple crown, although unlike Brown, who's top three in all categories, Barrell's lack of run support as kept his win total down. He's behind co-ace Butch Smith (18-8, 2.39, 96) while Vic Carroll (13-5, 2.22, 92) is in competition for the ERA crown despite a 5.7 BB/9. Chris Clarke (11-15, 2.76, 72) would be in the running too if you only count his Cincinnati ERA (2.16), giving the Cannons the best rotation by a longshot. Scoring runs off of them will be a challenge, and they generally have the offense to support the staff. Jim Hensley (.233, 7, 58) is the only hitter with a WRC+ below 100, and it's at 99 and could move up by the end of the season. Even with that "below average" offense, Hensley is tied for the WAR lead with Skipper at 6.8. Billy Dalton (.286, 15, 67) and Chuck Adams (.266, 15, 70) supply power while Fred Galloway (.265, 2, 36, 4), Sam Brown (.316, 3, 71, 4), and Adam Mullins (.305, 3, 48) are always on base. Even Bob Griffith (.282, 2, 61, 4) is a well above average hitter this season, making things difficult for anyone. I'm not sure how the Cannons haven't clinched already, but I'd be even more surprised if they don't walk right through us.

Minor League Report
C Gene Lee (AAA Milwaukee Blues): With the callup of Steve Mountain, we had an open spot in AAA, so I decided to give Gene Lee everyday at bats until the season ends. He's taken advantage of that so far, and despite us losing 9-7 against Indianapolis, he was a perfect 5-for-5 with a run scored and driven in. He's played 13 games for the Blues, hitting .348/.412/.370 (119 OPS+) with a double and 9 RBIs. This is far better then his 151 PAs down in Mobile, slashing a below average .256/.331/.383 (89 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, and 19 RBIs. One of the few pluses was four times the walks (16) as strikeouts (4), but the 23-year-old hasn't had the greatest season. Still, as a former 19th Round selection, making it up to AAA is a huge accomplishment, and he's managed to do it without getting frequent at bats. He's Rule-5 eligible, and I don't plan on protecting him, but he could find his way onto a big league roster. He's not a great catcher, but he does hit the ball hard and he has a really quick swing. We don't have too many options behind the plate if injuries arise, so Lee could be a useful depth piece and he'll get a chance to impress next spring.

RHP Jack Huston (AA Mobile Commodores): The amazing season continues for Jack Huston, who put together another shutout for the Commodores. This time it was a 6-hitter in Nashville with 6 walks and 5 strikeouts to improve to 23-6 on the season. Huston has been elite, worth an even 7 wins above replacement with a 2.92 ERA (157 ERA+), 1.22 WHIP, 85 walks, and 137 strikeouts. These are huge numbers for the former 5th Rounder, who has tallied 255.2 innings with a few starts left to go. Regardless of his prospect ranking (or lack thereof), Huston has developed into an excellent starting pitcher, effortlessly going the distance while keeping runners off base. Even when they get on, he does a good job erasing base runners with groundouts, and his sidearm windup is very hard to pick up. He doesn't need to overpower hitters, sitting in the high 80s, but he still is able to produce whiffs, especially against lefties. His slider is unhittable and his curve is great, both receiving a lot of movement in different directions. The issue at times is command, as sometimes he misses his spot by a wide margin, but a good catcher can really help him hit his spots. Next season he'll be in Milwaukee, and depending on injuries we could see him debut, but I don't expect to see him in Chicago for anything more then a spot start.