[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-3
Seasonal Record: 57-53 (4th, 5 GB)
Stars of the Week
Sal Pestilli : 24 AB, 9 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .375 AVG, .819 OPS
Leo Mitchell : 21 AB, 8 H, 0 HR, 3 RBI, .381 AVG, .810 OPS
Hal Wood : 22 AB, 6 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .273 AVG, .652 OPS

Schedule
8-8: Win vs Stars (2-3)
8-9: Win vs Stars (1-2): 12 innings
8-10: Loss at Kings (2-3)
8-11: Win at Kings (3-2)
8-12: Loss at Kings (4-9)
8-13: Loss at Kings (0-2)

Recap
You would not believe it! We swept the Stars!

But then what you would believe is that the Kings took three of four from us...

What stung worst was the finale, as Ron Berry didn't walk anyone in a 5-strikeout shutout. Lucky for us, the Stars got revenge on the Saints, so we're still one of the four teams with five games of first place. The Stars (64-52) and Cannons (60-49) are much close to the Saints (63-49), but we do have a chance to make an impact this week.

Peter the Heater gave his best efforts, but he wasn't rewarded with a win either time. He allowed just one run in 11 innings against the Stars. It came with 6 hits, 5 strikeouts, and just 1 walk, but we couldn't give him the support needed until after David Molina (IP H, BB, 2 K) entered the game, and new/old Cougar Hal Wood made himself welcomed with a walk-off double. Pap was then the unlucky starter who faced Ron Berry, as he allowed 6 hits, 2 runs, and 4 walks with 4 strikeouts in 8 strong innings. He's now in triple digits for strikeouts, as his 105 punchouts are just one away from Berry himself for second. He's lost his last two decisions, but his 10-8 record and 3.10 ERA (128 ERA+) are quite impressive.

The Jones Brothers had much better luck, as they won their starts. Johnnie went the distance, allowing 8 hits, 2 runs, and 4 walks with 3 strikeouts in our 3-2 win over the Stars. Donnie's victory came in Brooklyn, where he was the only one to best the Kings. Donnie won his fourth straight start, but he got help in the ninth. Donnie left after eight, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, and 4 walks with 6 strikeouts. He's now 13-9 with a 2.74 ERA (145 ERA+) and 1.08 WHIP, striking out 103 in 200.2 innings pitched. He's launched a serious campaign for his second Allen, leading the CA in WHIP while ranking top five in ERA (2nd), wins (t-2nd), innings (3rd), K/BB (4th, 1.7), and quality starts (t-2nd, 17). He then let David Molina finish things off with a perfect ninth to pick up his 13th save. Aside from a rough debut from Jim Morrison (3.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 BB), our pitchers did well in the losses, and the offense just wasn't consistent enough to get the job done.

Just two of the bats produced a WRC+ above 100, with Sal Pestilli leading the way for a change. He was 9-for-24 with a steal, 3 walks, and 4 runs, but all nine of hits were singles. I'm not sure where his power went, as he has his twenty homers fewer this year compared to last. I'm not sure what's wrong there, but unless he just saved them all for the end of the season, it's a big reason we haven't done much in the standings. Leo Mitchell did manage to improve his average a bit, going 8-for-21 with a double and 3 RBIs. He's hitting .342/.394/.493 (138 OPS+) with 13 homers and 58 RBIs, leading the association in average, OPS+, and wOBA (.407). If he can lead us to a pennant, I think he'll get legitimate Whitney consideration, and we'll need out longtime star to finish the year strong.

Looking Ahead
There's no sugarcoating it. This is the week that determines are season. Off to start, but then it's three in Montreal with the Saints, before three in Chicago with the Kings. A poor showing here pretty much clinches it, as we're still just barely hanging on over .500. I'm starting to get nervous, as even .500 could make things tough. The Stars or Cannons could jump right past the Saints, leaving us and the rest in the dust. The draft pick deadline also snuck up on me, so hopefully the last few guys I want are able to sign. I don't think it matters too much, but there's a few players available who still have futures with us.