[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-4
Seasonal Record: 28-20 (3rd, 2.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Rich Langton : 41 AB, 13 H, 1 HR, 11 RBI, .317 AVG, .870 OPS
Dick Walker : 34 AB, 12 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .353 AVG, .959 OPS
Skipper Schneider : 39 AB, 12 H, 0 HR, 8 RBI, .308 AVG, .808 OPS

Schedule
5-28: Loss at Cannons (2-3)
5-29: Loss at Cannons (5-9)
5-30: Win at Sailors (5-3)
5-30: Loss at Sailors (1-3)
5-31: Win at Sailors (4-0)
6-1: Win at Foresters (8-1)
6-2: Loss at Foresters (3-8)
6-3: Win at Foresters (9-3)
6-3: Win at Foresters (7-3)

Recap
As expected, the Cannons had no trouble securing the final two games, and they rode the victories all the way up to first place. We did well the rest of the way, taking two of three in Philly and three of four in Cleveland. Still, the tough start to the week set us back, and we dropped back to third and 2.5 games out of first. May was a great month for us nonetheless, as the Cougars finished 21-11 after a rough 4-8 start to the season. We did well in the monthly award voting, as we swept the awards we could win, as we didn't have any qualifying rookie. As expected, Cliff Moss took home Batter of the Month, slashing .380/.442/.603 (194 OPS+) with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, and 29 RBIs in 139 trips to the plate. It's been a great season for the almost 39-year-old, who's hit .341/.399/.580 (175 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 10 homers, and 42 RBIs. His defense has been very poor, so he's been worth less then a win above replacement, but with our offensive struggles, he more then makes up for it at the plate. On the mound, Billy Riley earned Pitcher of the Month, going a perfect 5-0 with a 1.50 ERA (246 ERA+), 1.02 WHIP, 9 walks, and 24 strikeouts. Funny enough, Riley's first June start was awful, as the 30-year-old vet allowed 5 hits, 7 runs, and 4 walks in 1.2 innings pitched. This dropped him to 6-2 on the season with a 3.12 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.19 WHIP, 24 walks, and 34 strikeouts. I expect him to quickly recover, as he's allowed three or fewer runs in 8 of his 11 starts.

We had a ton of games, so our hitters piled on plenty of plate appearances. Dick Walker looked like his old self, going 12-for-34 with 3 steals, 4 doubles, 2 RBIs, 9 runs, and 9 walks. Rich Langton went 13-for-41 with 2 doubles, 2 triples, a homer, walk, 6 runs, and 11 RBIs. Skipper went 12-for-39 with 3 doubles, a triple, 4 walks, 6 runs, and 8 RBIs. Mike Taylor started three games with the congestion, going 6-for-15 with 4 runs scored. Ken Mayhugh was 8-for-26 with a steal, double, homer, 2 runs, and 4 RBIs. I wasn't quite sure what I could expect from him, but he's hit a decent enough .270/.302/.385 (93 OPS+) with 5 doubles, 3 homers, and 21 RBIs, and his defense (2.4, 1.046) has been better then expected. He's not Hank Barnett, but Mayhugh has looked better with regular playing time. We keep rising in runs scored, now up to 5th, and after the slow start we're looking much better.

Speaking of much better, George Oddo dominated in start two, tossing a 4-hit shutout with 4 walks and 2 strikeouts against the Sailors. Oddo has been amped since his promotion, adding an extra mile to his fastball, as he now consistently lands in the low 90s. We have more off days coming up, but with a double header on Sunday, he'll get a third start. Three of our starters got two this week, and while his second start was bad, Riley did well in the loss to the Cannons, going 8 with 10 hits, and 2 runs (1 earned), walks, and strikeouts. Rusty Petrick split his decisions, losing a tight one to the Sailors and beating the Foresters. He was arguably better in the loss, going 8 with 5 hits, 3 runs, 4 walks, and 7 strikeouts. In the win, he left with two outs in the ninth, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, and 5 walks with 2 strikeouts. It improved him to an unlucky 3-5 despite his 2.40 ERA (154 ERA+) and 1.16 WHIP. The final two start starter was Art White, and despite lesser outings then Petrick, he also split his decisions. White was hit hard by the Cannons, allowing 13 hits, 8 runs (5 earned), and 2 walks in 5 innings. He did look good against the Foresters, picking up a complete game victory with 9 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, and a strikeout.

Harry Parker won his lone start, going 8 with 4 hits, a run, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Ken Matson made a start and relief outing, starting with a victory against the Sailors. He tossed a complete game victory with 7 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He relieved in the lone loss against the Foresters, tossing two perfect innings with a strikeout. The rest of the pen was worked hard, with Dick Lyons, Merritt Thomas, and Ben Curtin each made a pair of appearances. Thomas finally allowed an earned run, with 2 hits, 2 walks, and a strikeout in 2.1 innings pitched. The run also proved to be the difference maker in our 3-2 loss to the Cannons. Curtin stayed perfect, with an inning and two thirds of perfect baseball. Curtin struck out 1 and picked up his CA leading 6th save while finishing off Petrick's start against the Foresters. Lyons got more work then the both of them, going 5.1 innings with 6 hits, 2 runs, and a walk. The pen has been as lockdown as it gets, as our 1.00 bullpen ERA is easily best in the game.

Looking Ahead
The week starts off much nicer then the last, as we're off to start the week. We'll finish the road trip with a game against the Saints, another off day, and then a second game. Montreal is a bit below .500, sitting at 24-26 and 7.5 games out of first. They have a really strong offense, scoring the third most runs in the lead while featuring a pretty strong lineup. Bill Greene (.255, 7, 31, 7) has the lowest average in the lineup, but it comes with a 121 WRC+ and 1.4 WAR. They are getting production from unlikely sources like 27-year-old Ted Brown (.329, 1, 23) and former Cougar draftee Ben Richardson (.290, 2, 8). Vic Crawford (.344, 2, 36) has been outstanding and former 3rd Pick Gordie Perkins (.323, 16) is off to a great start to his big league career. With him at short, Jake Hughes (.296, 1, 24, 11) has thrived at third, The pitching, however, leaves plenty to be desired, but Karl Weiss (6-1, 3.59, 23) is off to a strong start, and it may be getting even better. The now 31-year-old has an impressive 2.91 FIP (75 FIP-) in 72.2 innings, and he's been a stabilizing piece of the rotation. The star of the rotation, however, is Mr. Right Pat Weakly, who is 6-3 with a 3.23 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, 22 walks, and 50 strikeouts. With two games, the odds of facing both are slim, but with the off days they may move things around to make it happen. We have yet to beat the Saints this season, so even a sweep here doesn't bring us close in the season series.

We finish the week at home, for four games in three days with the Stars. Very little has gone right for New York, as they've dropped to 20-30 and already 11.5 games out of first. The top part of their rotation has been excellent, with Dixie Lee's return to the FABL going very well. The now 32-year-old is 6-3 with a 2.55 ERA (148 ERA+), 1.20 WHIP, 18 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 11 starts. Eli Panneton (7-4, 2.67, 36) has been just as good, and Ed Cornett (3-5, 3.46, 27) has been a solid three. Veterans Eddie Hite (2-5, 6.67, 12) and Hank Mittan (0-5, 6.59, 19) have been nothing more then BP, but they don't have any other options. The offense doesn't support them enough either, but Howie Smith has been a revelation. The 31-year-old is hitting an impressive .327/.379/.477 (136 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, and 38 RBIs. He hasn't got much support beyond Chubby Hall (.278, 4, 32) and Jim Honeywood (.282, 2, 14), but utility man Mike Roberson (.288, 2, 8) recently entered the lineup and has hit well. On paper, this should be an easy series for us, and the return home should help improve our chances.

Minor League Report
LHP Ed Fisler (AA Mobile Commodores): No Dixie League pitcher had a better month then Ed Fisler, who took home the Pitcher of the Month award. His seven starts were impressive, going 5-2 with a 2.57 ERA (157 ERA+), 1.44 WHIP, 38 walks, and 24 strikeouts. The WHIP was rather high, but Fisler has done a good job keeping runs off the board. The 23-year-old is doing well in his 9 starts, 5-3 with a 2.99 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.40 WHIP, 42 walks, and 36 strikeouts. We have a logjam of starting pitchers in AAA, so him and Harry MacRae (3-4, 5.20, 22) are stuck here, but as a member of the 40 Fisler has a chance to join the big leagues later in the season. A three pitch pitcher, Fisler features a mid 90s fastball, solid slider, and solid change, but his lack of control can get him into trouble sometimes. Because of this, Fisler profiles more as a spot starter then a rotation stalwart, but the lefty has nice stuff, and would function well in a pen role.

RHP Stan Flanders (AA Mobile Commodores): Fisler may have been Pitcher of May, but Stan Flanders is already campaigning for Pitcher of June. The 22-year-old was brilliant against the Nashville Chieftains, tossing a 4-hit shutout with a pair of walks and strikeouts. It's been a weird season for Flanders, who's allowed two or fewer runs in five of his eight starts, but the other three saw 4, 6, and 7. Overall, the results have been good, 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA (117 ERA+), 1.32 WHIP, 16 walks, and 13 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched. A former 10th Rounder, Flanders currently ranks as our 15th best prospect, making up for poor stuff with impressive command. He doesn't have a reliable out pitch, which will make it tough for him to strike out many batters, but guys like Art White and Dick Lyons have shown that you can get by on producing week contact alone. He's young and has a lot of room still left to grow, but he's already exceeded most expectations as a 10th Rounder.

RF Bob Harris (A Lincoln Legislators): The Legislators piled the runs up on the Steelman to start June, and no hitter produced more then Bob Harris. The 23-year-old outfielder went cycling, 4-for-6 with 4 runs scored as Lincoln crushed Gary 18-6. It's been a season full of impressive performances like this for Bob Harris, who has slashed .351/.393/.536 (147 OPS+) with 8 doubles, a triple, 6 homers, 5 steals, and 24 RBIs. This is a noticeable improvement from last season, where he hit .276/.344/.415 (98 OPS+) in 73 games. A bat first prospect, Harris has decent pop in his bat and a strong hit tool. He looks like a .300+ hitter with at least double digit home run power, but his plate discipline isn't great and he'll likely strike out far more then he walks. Strikeouts won't be too big of a problem, as he does make decent contact, but out pitches can give him trouble. He's a low floor, high ceiling type bench bat, but with some more work at the plate he can turn into a dangerous hitter.

CF Don Jeppsen (B San Jose Cougars): Hard to have a better week then Don Jeppsen, who started the week with a huge 4-for-5 against Spokane. He launched three homers and drove in eight, and then finished the week with a very unique .542/.538/.958 (314 OPS+). Jeppsen took home the Player of the Week award as well, in what has been a remarkable season for the 20-year-old. This upped his season line to .418/.477/.643 (213 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 6 homers, 6 steals, and 23 RBIs. I don't want to send anyone in A ball down or to the bench, so Jeppsen is stuck in San Jose until an injury happens.