[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 4-3
Seasonal Record: 38-35 (3rd, 4 GB)
Stars of the Week
Leo Mitchell : 28 AB, 8 H, 3 HR, 4 RBI, .286 AVG, .940 OPS
Billy Hunter : 23 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 5 RBI, .391 AVG, .962 OPS
Chubby Hall : 27 AB, 8 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI, .296 AVG, .840 OPS

Schedule
6-27: Loss vs Saints (2-4)
6-28: Win vs Saints (5-6)
6-29: Loss vs Saints (10-7)
6-30: Win at Stars (7-4)
7-1: Loss at Stars (4-9)
7-2: Win at Stars (7-3): 11 innings
7-2: Win at Stars (5-3)

Recap
The Saints have jumped everyone, in first after their awful start, and even though they took two of three from us in Chicago, we're the only team to beat them in their last ten games. Despite the home series loss, we rebounded quickly in New York, winning three of four after sweeping the double header. That moved us up to third, and we're one of four teams within five games of Montreal.

As always, it was a great week for Leo Mitchell, the eventual June Batter of the Month (.368, 7, 21), who wacked three balls into the seat, becoming one of three Cougars to reach ten homers this week. He was just 8-for-28, so his average dropped a bit to .383, but he drew two walks and scored six times, with a fourth RBI on his week. The other two to join him were Chubby Hall and Red Bond, who each hit two homers in a slug-filled week. Of these two, Hall had the better overall week, 8-for-27 with with 3 runs and 7 RBIs, though with Sal Pestilli's return, he'll play a lesser role in the coming weeks. Bond was just 5-for-22, but he drew two walks and both scored and drove in five runs. We got a lot from Billy Hunter, who replaced Charlie Woodbury, going 9-for-23 with a double, triple, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 5 RBIs. George Sutterfield hit well too, 9-for-29 with a triple, homer, 3 walks, 3 RBIs, 8 runs, and a steal. It's nice to see the offense starting to pick things up, as we're now 6th in runs scored, and our staff is starting to get the support it deserves.

Unfortunately run support did not happen for Donnie Jones, who picked up a loss and no decision despite just 7 total runs in 17 innings. He allowed 10 hits, 6 walks, and 10 strikeouts, and will have just one more chance to improve his All-Star chances. His 7-8 record will be held against him, but behind that are a 2.81 ERA (143 ERA+) and 1.06 WHIP. His 3.14 FIP (78 FIP-) is third in the CA, and he has 64 strikeouts and 39 walks in 134.2 innings pitched. He's going to be on my ballot, and if he doesn't end up on the final roster, I'm going to be quite disappointed. He deserves it most on our team, but that's not to say there aren't others deserving candidates.

I'm upset that Andy Robinson didn't sign yet, with 9th Rounder Bill Owens the first to join. We needed a 15th pitcher in La Crosse, and since he was our only high school pitcher from the human portion, he's the guy that gets the first call. He didn't crack the prospect rankings, though I'm not surprised there, He'll start out pitching in the pen, but if a rotation spot opens, he'll probably be one of the first to take advantage of it. I think the two week point is where I'll start to add players from the class, but if spots open up the process will be accelerated. This doesn't apply to guys ticketed for San Jose, as I sent 2nd Rounder Ernie Tisdale his check and I'm getting a closer look at some of our college picks. Seniors always get priority, though I see a few juniors in the AI portion I might give a shot.

Finishing off the week I had to make some procedural moves, as we'll actually have two outfielders joining the roster this week. The first is expected, as Sal Pestilli is healthy and will rejoin the lineup, but we also welcomed a new member to the organization. He came from Chicago, as we claimed former top 50 prospect Billy Brown from the crosstown Chiefs. A former 5th Rounder, "Big Bad Billy" has been awful, hitting .095/.269/.119 (6 OPS+), but at one point there was a really solid hitter. At 24 he hit .252/.327/.431 (114 OPS+), and in his four largest samples he has WRC+ of at least 97. I'm not sure he's going to be happy on the bench, but a change of scene could do him well. Leo Mitchell is on the older side, and if Brown can do well enough in a reserve role, he could eventually compete for a spot in a platoon.

Down to Milwaukee is Clyde Zimmerman and Rupert Heinbaugh, and the young infielder did manage his first career hit! It was a memorable one, as it came in the middle of a four run 11th inning. He finished his stint 1-for-2, and will now return to every day playing time with the Blues. Zimmerman, however, has not hit very well, and this may be his last trip up. He was just 2-for-15, with both hits coming in his debut.

Looking Ahead
What's the best thing to do after a double header?

While three games in two days with the first place team! Lucky for us, they also dealt with a double header against the Kings, so we're on equal footing. I have no idea how they're going to set up their rotation, but my best guess is Bert Cupid (6-6, 3.69, 58) on short rest in the opener, followed by Pat Weakly (5-3, 3.15, 38) in one of the halves of the double header. Wally Doyle (8-6, 3.78, 67) could go on three days rest, though that's tough for any pitcher. Andy Lyon (0-1, 3.79, 23) is an option for a spot start, as he hasn't pitched in five days. Lucky (?) for us, George Oddo (5-6, 4.78, 49) pitched just 59 pitches in his second of two season worst starts, so he's actually good to go! This will save us a spot start against a very good Saints lineup, and in the opener Duke Bybee (6-6, 4.13, 50) is fully rested and Peter the Heater (6-5, 3.37, 67) could have started today on three days rest if it was absolutely necessary. Being on the road could be an advantage, as it will suppress Saints power and keep our pitchers in the park. This is where John Moss (.251, 1, 28) can really make his paycheck, as I expect him tracking down multiple potential hits in the spacious Parc Cartier.

The remainder of our games our at home, as we start with two against the Brooklyn Kings. Part of the reason they've slumped is because they haven't played us, as they've won seven of the eight contests. I'm hope the Jones Brothers can stop their potent offense, but Ralph Johnson (.325, 11, 46) is as good as it gets. You have to almost pencil the Kings in for three from him alone, but surprisingly the rest of the offense hasn't followed. I couldn't believe they were now seventh in runs scored, as Pat Petty (.235, 4, 43), Chuck Lewis (.277, 6, 40), Billy Bryant (.288, 1, 15), and Charlie Rogers (.265, 3, 25, 8) have all cooled off. This is a good chance for us to take advantage of them, and at 37-35 they could enter our series below .500.

That would be due to the New York Stars, who we play to finish the season. They have dropped to 39-37, though with the Kings and Saints to play against they'll have a tough time. The Stars had their first losing month (13-16, .448) in June, though Bill Barrett (.306, 8, 50) homered in both halves of our double header win. I'll remained worried about their sluggers at Cougars Park, though with double headers of their own there are plenty of question marks on who pitches. I'm happy with whoever, especially since the staff has to be tired. There are very few David Molinas (6-3, 10, 2.80, 19) out there, and some of the lesser relievers may get tested in the final week of the first half.

I can't believe a bad George Oddo start (3 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, K) actually helped us!

Well, assuming we win the games of course!

Minor League Report
RHP Tommy Seymour (AA Little Rock Governors): He may not have won Pitcher of the Month, but Tommy Seymour finished off his impressive June with a 9-strikeout shutout. Our former first rounder walked just one, improving to 7-5 on the season. In June, he won four of his five starts, allowing just 6 earned runs in 44 innings. This equates to a 1.23 ERA (336 ERA+), and he had a nice 1.11 WHIP with 14 walks and 24 strikeouts. While not quite this dominant all season long, he has pitched well, with a 3.06 ERA (135 ERA+) and 3.58 FIP (86 FIP-) in his 12 starts. That's one Dixie League start more then last year, as the then Commodore really struggled. He was just 1-7 with a 5.33 ERA (75 ERA+) and 1.73 WHIP, walking and striking out 43 batters. This year he's walked just 36, striking out 57 as his BB% and K% improved. 25 in August, he's looking to earn a promotion to Milwaukee, and as a pitcher eligible for the Rule-5 draft he's on audition for all sixteen teams. Part of me wants to protect him, but I don't see an easy way to any role on the team right now. Dixie still thinks he could end up filling a back-end role, but as long as we are in competition we need more upside then that.