[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-5
Seasonal Record: 52-43 (3rd, 5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Art White : 2 Wins, 18.0 IP, 3 BB, 3 K, 0.00 ERA
Don Lee : 30 AB, 11 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .367 AVG, 1.008 OPS
Dick Walker : 32 AB, 10 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .312 AVG, .871 OPS

Schedule
7-16: Loss at Sailors (3-4)
7-17: Loss at Sailors (1-10)
7-18: Win at Cannons (2-0)
7-19: Loss at Cannons (1-7)
7-20: Win at Cannons (2-0)
7-21: Loss at Wolves (1-3)
7-22: Loss at Wolves (4-5)
7-22; Win at Wolves (11-1)

Recap
Well, we... Survived? I'm not sure this week could have gone much different then I would have expected. The only thing close to anticipated was going 1-2 in Toronto, but I would not have expected to outscore them 16-9, and then still drop two of the games. Even crazier, we shut the Cannons out twice, by a score of 2-0, but they outscored us 7-5 and we came out with the series win. And then to top things off, since both the Wolves and Cannons struggled the rest of the week, we could have gotten within three games of first, but we let the Sailors walk away with a split after a tough one-run loss followed by a blowout. We're in a tricky situation with the deadline approaching, and there could be plenty of changes on the roster once we resume play. Art White or Cliff Moss could be on the move, but we could also end up adding a few pieces as we look to return to the top of the standings.

Art White made an effort to boost his trade value, as he bested both the Cannons and the Wolves. In Cincinnati, White tossed a 6-hit shutout with a walk and 2 strikeouts, and in Toronto he allowed a single unearned run with 8 hits, 2 walks, and a strikeout in a complete game victory. 34 in about a week and a half, White improved to 11-9 on the season with a 3.08 ERA (116 ERA+) in 21 starts. Billy Riley performed well in his two starts, but he lost to Sailors before tossing the other shutout against the Cannons. It was a 3-hitter with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts, which made up for the 8 innings with 8 hits, 4 runs, and 4 strikeouts. The final two start starter, Harry Parker, dropped both his contests. He was hit hard in Philly, allowing 9 hits, 6 runs, and 2 walks with 2 strikeouts in just 6 innings. He was a bit better against the Wolves, but still allowed 10 hits and 3 runs with a single strikeout in 7 innings. George Oddo pitched well in a no-decision, tossing 8 innings with 3 hits, 2 runs, 5 walks, and 7 strikeouts. His 2.92 ERA (122 ERA+) would lead the team if he had enough innings, and he has an impressive 1.13 WHIP with 38 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched. The last start went to Rusty Petrick, who's control completely eluded him against the team he debuted with. He allowed 9 hits and 9 walks with 5 runs and 2 strikeouts. We have plenty of off days this week, which should help us out, but July hasn't gone too well and we're starting to run out of time to make a comeback.

Our two man offense was at it again, with really just Don Lee and Dick Walker doing anything much at all. Lee went a strong 11-for-30 with 3 doubles, a homer, 2 RBIs, 3 steals, 4 walks, and 4 runs. After hitting just .206/.287/.304 (70 OPS+) in 42 games last year, he's hit an elite .304/.407/.465 (150 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homers, 15 steals, and 38 RBIs in double the games (81) and almost triple the plate appearances (324). His breakout has been nice, but this shouldn't have been all that unexpected. I let small samples get to me, as Lee put up WRC+ of 195, 147, 145, 131, 166, 152, and 164 in samples that were all larger then his 116 PA debut. His defense has even been passable (.985, -2.8) so Carlos Montes may have some competition. More likely is Cliff Moss does, as Lee could split time between both positions, and only one is approaching the big four-0. Same is said for Walker, who hit his now-tied for team leading 10th home run. The 38-year-old vet went 10-for-32 with an added double, triple, and 3 more RBIs. He stole his team high 19th base and walks three and scored five times.

We got some production from an unlikely source as well, with Bill Rich going 6-for-16 with a double, walk, RBI, and three runs scored. The Illinois native's rookie season has gone well, as after his debut on the 27th he's hit .351/.415/.459 (151 OPS+) in 14 games. His first career homer was off 2-Time Allen Winner Rufus Barrell (10-3, 2.23, 57), who may capture a third, and he's drove in seven runs with more walks (4) then strike outs (2). Fellow rookie George Sutterfield had his debut week, going 3-for-13 with two doubles, a walk, and an RBI. He made two starts at short, one at third, and one at second. Skipper is back and healthy, so there will be less games at short, but he'll get consistent starts at both second and third. Mayhugh and Page combined to go just 11-for-47 this week. There's a chance we pick up a piece to supplement them, but that won't take time away from Sutterfield if he can perform. We get Moss back next week which could provide a spark, but the offense could use another consistent contributor. A Leo Mitchell would be perfect right about now...

Looking Ahead
There is rest for the wicked this week, as we play just one game in the next four days. The lone game is on Tuesday, as we have to deal with the Wolves a fourth time. They'll be in first when we meet, 55-36 and half a game above the Cannons. George Garrison (12-4, 2.41, 77) already dominated us this week, so at least he can't beat us again. We'll roll the dice against Jim Laurita, who comes in 6-9 with a 3.60 ERA (103 ERA+), 1.32 WHIP, 55 walks, and 47 strikeouts in 18 starts. I like our chances with Billy Riley (12-6, 3.03, 65) on the mound, but any pitcher will struggle against Fred McCormick (.284, 5, 19, 2) and Walt Pack (.308, 20, 65). The Cannons will be cheering us on in what should be a very exciting game at Dominion Stadium.

Two off days follow before we host the Kings for three games. This will be a welcomed surprise, as the sub .500 Kings are the first one we'll face after three tough road series. At 39-58, they're just two game over the last place Foresters, and we should have a good series to creep closer to first. The Kings rotation isn't very great, with each rotation member featuring an ERA above 4. Former Cougar prospect Pinch Lenhart (3-6, 2.17, 28) has arguably been their best pitcher, but Bill McGraw (8-8, 4.04, 67) has shown some positive signs out of the rotation. The lineup isn't all that great, but 34-year-old vet Vernon Ruch could be an enticing trade candidate for a team. He's hitting .301/.388/.436 (128 OPS+) with an even better 142 WRC+. He's been worth over 3 wins above replacement in 92 games with 24 doubles, 7 homers, and 51 RBIs. Orie Martinez (.255, 4, 34) still hasn't quite turned things around, and fellow young first rounder Whitey Dorsch (.271, 1, 27) has had a tough rookie season. The Kings have plenty of young talent overseas, and 12 of the top 101 prospects call their organization home. They aren't there yet, but they could be a thorn in our side if their youngsters start clicking together.

Minor League Report
RHP Bill Ballantine (AA Mobile Commodores): 23 next month, Bill Ballantine started this season in Mobile despite just 12 starts in A ball last year. Despite that, he's done tremendous, as the Windy City Whip picked up his 9th win of the season with a 1-run complete game victory. Ballantine has kept Dixie League hitters in check, working to a 2.93 ERA (138 ERA+) and 1.29 WHIP with 50 walks and 47 strikeouts. He's also managed to go deeper into games this season, failing to go all nine in just two of his fourteen outings. The Chicagoan is one of my favorite of our youngsters, and I think he could be a dominant stopper. His arsenal isn't great, but there's a reason he has "Whip" in the nickname, his fastball is an excellent pitch. He doesn't command it well, but that's part of what makes it so tough to hit. Not quite like "Peter the Heater" but when he just let's go, it's a pretty unpredictable thing. When he's not facing batters multiple times, the fastball alone is enough, but having three off-speed pitches to mix in that opposing hitters won't get a good look at will make up for them not being good pitches. All pitches have a ton of movement in all different directions, and in small samples he will be tough to handle.

1B Billy Biggar (B San Jose Cougars): It's been a great season in San Jose for former 10th Rounder Billy Biggar, who picked himself up another Player of the Week. Biggar hit an even 13-for-26 with a double, homer, 3 runs, and 8 RBIs. Things have gone well for the Canadian youngster, who hit .351/.395/.528 (161 OPS+) with 18 doubles, 10 homers, and 42 RBIs in 294 trips to the plate. The increase in power is a nice sign, as he hit just 1 in a slightly larger sample with the Lions last season after 14 homer in 120 games the prior year. Power isn't quite his game, but he's a strong kid with a good swing. His hit tool has always been enticing, so any consistent power would be a huge plus. The defense isn't great, so he's really got to hit, but he has new competition in Cal Rice who's hitting .344/.431/.393 (131 OPS+) in 20 games down in C Ball. Biggar doesn't have the same ceiling as Rice, and it's only a matter of time before he gets passed up in current skill too. I wouldn't count Biggar out yet, but he's got his work cut out for him, and he need to hit his way up to make it in this league.