[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 2-2
Seasonal Record: 44-41 (t-4th, 3.5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Red Bond : 15 AB, 6 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .400 AVG, 1.038 OPS
Duke Bybee : 1 Win, 9.0 IP, 2 BB, 2 K, 1.00 ERA
Eddie Howard : 14 AB, 5 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .357 AVG, .971 OPS

Schedule
7-13: Win at Cannons (3-1)
7-15: Loss at Cannons (3-4)
7-15: Loss at Cannons (1-3)
7-16: Win at Wolves (3-1)

Recap
The All-Star game didn't go well for the Continental Association, though offense as a whole was hard to come by. No runs came until the last swing of the bat, where our Donnie Jones allowed Red Johnson to hit probably his first ever pinch-hit grand slam. It would have been nice if Donnie didn't pitch almost two innings and throw 35 pitches, but despite that loss he did win when he put his trusty Cougar jersey back on. It wasn't his finest start, as he walked six guys, but he finished 8 innings with 5 hits, a run, and 6 strikeouts. He wasn't needed for the ninth, as while David Molina did walk two, neither scored, and he held the 3-1 lead. Our other win came from Duke Bybee, who allowed just 5 hits, a run, and 2 walks with a pair of strikeouts. Believe it or not, his 3.95 ERA (101 ERA+) is now above aver age. This is impressive considering his ERA was over 5 when June started, and we may need him to step up if we want to make up the now three and a half deficit we face.

Peter the Heater didn't get a win, but he outperformed Donnie Jones in the All-Star game, as he allowed just one hit in a scoreless seventh. A Billy Hunter error ended up being the difference in a 4-3 game, as Pap allowed 10 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts in an eight inning loss. Like Pap, Johnnie Jones pitched well in a loss, allowing just 5 hits, 3 runs, and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched. Neither got run support against Jim Anderson (6-5, 3.09, 54) and Charlie Griffith (9-7, 3.19, 48). Red Bond tried, 6-for-15 with a homer and 3 RBIs, and both Eddie Howard (5-14, 3 2B, RBI, 2 R, BB) and George Sutterfield (4-13, 2B, 3B, 3 R, 2 BB) made the most of their at bats. I'm giving Charlie Woodbury one more week to get acclimated to first, but I'm hoping someone else can step up before he provides a jolt to the offense.

We got two new additions to the top 100 list, with 2nd Rounder Ernie Tisdale (94th) and 4th Rounder Ike Soeur (88th) ending up in the bottom half. 3rd Rounder Ed Freeman isn't ranked, but he's 17th among all catching prospects. Ike is one of 24 listed center fielders in the top 100 alone, so it really shows you how difficult it is to be a ranked catching prospect. We might add a few lower ranked prospects, but when it comes to top 100 prospects, we're far more likely to lose one then gain one.

Looking Ahead
Two more against the Wolves, who we have beat in eleven of our thirteen contests. Considering they're almost further from the Sailors (7 GB) then the Sailors are from first (8 GB). Toronto has recently announced everyone who isn't Fred McCormick is available, and I am really tempted to inquire on George Garrison (7-10, 3.69, 54) even if it doesn't make much sense. They want young pitchers and, well, I don't want to trade Bob Allen, so I don't really see any deal getting done. As much as I'd like him, I also wouldn't go after Joe Hancock (7-4, 3.38, 56), as it just wouldn't seem right having him on any team that wasn't the Wolves. Looking at the younger generation, John Wells had a nice debut (2-3, 2 R, 3B, 2 RBI) but has gone hitless sense, and this coming week could be his last in the pros for a while. It's not quite his time yet, but this kid is gong to be feared one day, so our pitchers might want to get a head start on their head-to-head numbers.

Next stop is Cleveland for three with the Foresters, who are an even 42-42 after their surprise pennant last season. Their offense has been the strength this season, ranked second in runs scored. This is rather surprising, but not as surprising as their newest third basemen. After being taken in the 2nd Round this June, Lloyd Coulter went straight to the majors, and has gone 9-for-33 with 3 doubles, a homer, and 7 RBIs. This shifted Jim Adams Jr. (.277, 6, 40) to second and Jim Urquhart (.306, 1, 36, 4) to left, with Paul Porter (.256, 25) now on the bench. Coulter is a very exciting prospect, don't get me wrong, but I'm surprised he didn't get some seasoning first. The power is there, he hit 16 homers in his single season of college ball, but he has some makeup issues and the jump from the minors to the majors is hard enough already. I'm curious to see how he does against us, and the Foresters could be awarded for their aggression.

Our road ends with two in Philly against the seventh place Sailors, who are the highest placed team below .500. They've made a few changes to their rotation, with recent starts given to Joe Hess (5-8, 8, 3.98, 61) and Hannibal Davis (2-2, 2, 4.19, 21). I'd be happy facing both of them, as Win Lewis (6-7, 3.46, 68), Al Duster (10-5, 3.52, 62), and Charlie Gordon (7-5, 2.98, 53) are all seasoned, capable starters. The rotation changes could help, as their offense is up to third in runs scored. Ed Reyes (.388, 24) is cruising and Rip Lewis (.298, 2, 33, 3) has really turned things around. Billy Forbes (.301, 6, 42, 12) showed off his All-Star game and is looking like the top center fielder in the CA, showing no signs of diminished quality post-injury. He's a nice piece to build around, to it will be interesting if the Sailors decide to move some of their pieces and retool.

Minor League Report
CF Jerry Smith (A Lincoln Legislators): Best way to respond to a demotion in the prospect ranks?

A Player of the Week!

That's what Jerry Smith did in the Heartland League, as a 2-homer day secured the win for Smith. He went 4-for-4 with 6 RBIs in a 9-8 win over Springfield, putting the Legislators on his back. For the week, he hit .435/.458/.826 (248 OPS+) with 3 runs, 3 doubles, and 7 RBIs. I wasn't planning on it, but he's earned himself a promotion, finishing his Lincoln time with a .302/.368/.505 (137 OPS+) batting line. The former 5th Overall Pick had 24 doubles, 4 triples, 10 homers, and 61 RBIs, making 342 trips to the plate. Combined with last year, he's now appeared in 148 games at the Class-A level, and his .303/.378/.490 (136 OPS+) line looks eerily similar to last year. Add 39 doubles, 8 triples, 14 homers, and 91 RBIs and it's hard to find a weak spot in his game right now. Now ranked 22nd in FABL, the hopefully five tool player doesn't turn 22 until September, and he supposedly "has the swagger fans like." That's great news for a potential star, and I'm excited to see how he responds to his promotion. He'll share the outfield with Frank Reece, allowing Henry Norman to patrol center back in Lincoln. When you have so many talented center fielders, it's a fun puzzle trying to give them all time. A good problem to have!