[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 5-2
Seasonal Record: 63-50 (4th, 6 GB)
Stars of the Week
Jim Barton : 23 AB, 10 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .435 AVG, 1.197 OPS
Jerry McMillan : 26 AB, 10 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .385 AVG, .967 OPS
Mooney Vetter : 26 AB, 10 H, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .385 AVG, .830 OPS

Schedule
8-13: Win vs Imperials (5-6)
8-14: Win vs Imperials (1-8)
8-15: Loss vs Imperials (5-3)
8-16: Win at Cannons (6-2)
8-17: Loss at Cannons (4-5)
8-18: Win at Cannons (2-0)
8-19: Win at Wranglers (4-1): 11th inning

Recap
See what I mean!?!?! Inconsistent!!!!!

Lesser competition was certainly a factor, as four of the games were against the expansion teams, but wins are wins. Especially those in extras or decided by one run! It's obviously in large part due to the Association's best pen, but the starters are starting to approach their level. Even when we were leading the Conti in runs allowed, our rotation ERA was outside of the top-3, but with the addition of Champ and Hank Walker's luck turning, we've pulled into 3rd for starter's ERA. Just the first pace Sailors have allowed fewer runs, and it has gotten me so excited for next season.

Walker actually had his first rough start in a while, 6.1 innings with 8 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), and 6 walks in a no decision to start the week, but he was dominant as we won the series against the Cannons. 125 pitches seems to be his max, and since we finally scored our first two runs off Chicagoan Charlie Warren (12-8, 3.08, 132) in the ninth, Buck went to Arch for the last two outs. Walker allowed just 3 hits and 3 walks, striking out 8 to set himself up for his 7th win of the season. Walker might have been disappointed being taken out after Bonnie Chapin's (.321, 21, 72, 4) single, but since Arch got a pinch-hitter out for the second out, he had to deal with Whitney co-favorite Dallas Berry (.326, 35, 105, 11), who was 0-for-2 with a walk and two strikeouts. Part of why Wilson was brought in was the fact that one of the top sluggers in baseball didn't have a homer in 37 at bats, and for at bat 38 Wilson attacked to get him down in the count before setting him down to complete the hat-trick. Now an even 7-7, Walker has won four straight decisions, he's allowed three or fewer runs in five of his last seven starts, including two with none. As hard as it may be to believe, he now has an above average 4.37 ERA (104 ERA+), much closer to his 4.26 FIP (94 FIP-). An outside shot for August Pitcher of the Month, he's 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA (201 ERA+), 1.14 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts in 4 starts, finally recording stats that match the quality of his pitching this year.

Matching stats hasn't been an issue for Roy Ellis, to has been our best and most consistent starter since Opening Day. Ellis dominated the Imperials, picking up a 99 pitch game complete game victory as we dispatched the Imperials 8-1. Sporting brilliant command, Ellis struck out 11 without walking a single hitter, just a single, double, and Turk Ramsey (.271, 27, 61) solo homer causing Ellis stress. With plenty of run support, including a pair of Jim Barton (.322, 9, 55) home runs, Ellis improved to 8-4, lowering his season ERA and WHIP to 3.90 (116 ERA+) and 1.19. This start was a huge boost to his K/BB, an impressive 2.8 that's even higher then the 2.6 he led the Conti with last season. Ellis was our first pitcher to strikeout 100 batters this season, up to 106 in 147.2 innings. The tall 27-year-old has really emerged as a capable weapon towards the top of the rotation, as him and Dick Champ have both had tremendous success keeping runners off the base. Champ hasn't pitched as deep into games as I've wanted, just 6 innings with 5 hits, 2 runs, a walk, and 7 strikeouts in an eventual 5-4 loss, but it's hard to be mad at the quality of said work. He's got a sterling 25-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio, holding an elite 2.68 ERA (169 ERA+) and 0.99 WHIP as a Cougar. It's not often we see a midseason trade like this work out so well, as with all the Tommy Wilcoxs and Sal Pestillis we tend to see guys have their production drop out when they put on the Cougar threads. Our new ace, Champ has acquainted himself to his team well, and when young guys like Ken Stone and Henry Henderson are up I really hope he teaches them a few tricks.

A few other pitchers deserve shoutouts, namely Andy Logue, who now has back-to-back 2-run, 6-inning starts. This time he won, snapping a five game losing streak that's saw his ERA balloon to the largest of the rotation. Now at 4.50 (101 ERA+), he's almost below average, going from staff-ace to fighting for starts. On the bright side, his leadership has never wavered through his struggles, and if early season Logue is back we may have a chance to catch the Sailors. The other shutout goes to Pug White, who is so close to qualifying for the ERA crown. After allowing just 1 run in 6 innings with a loss, save, 3 hits, and 2 strikeouts, he's up to 104.1 innings on the season. That translates to a 142.1 inning page, a little more then 10 innings shy of the eventual 154 innings requirement. If by some miracle he can reach it, Pug has a chance to be the only qualified pitcher with a sub-3 ERA, as current CA leader Jake Pearson (14-6, 3.02, 109) saw a 7-run struggle against the Wranglers push him over. A comfortable 2.67 (169 ERA+), our talented stopper is 8-6 with 15 saves, a 1.17 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts, and I still cannot believe he was not named an All-Star. One of the biggest reasons for a success, we're probably a .500 team without him, and even though I often praise him for his reliability and availability, his hard work deserves plenty of recognition.

The offense seems a little tired, four guys in yellow energy before the Wrangler game to open the week, as Wednesday's off day can't get here soon enough. One guys who looks refreshed and relaxed is Jim Barton, who finished his week 10-for-23 with a double, walk, 3 runs, and 9 RBIs. Up to nine homers due to his two-homer showing, he's been one of the game's hottest hitters, slashing .403/.424/.645 (172 OPS+) in 18 August appearances. This surge improved his season line to .322/.354/.443 (105 OPS+), as despite being allergic to the free pass he's got a 113 WRC+ and .357 wOBA. Solid numbers from the quality left fielder, who will need to continue to produce to hold off all our talented young outfielders. A week like this where he commanded the offense does him well, but unlike Buddy last week we were able to string hits together. Jerry McMillan was back to his old self, 10-for-26 with a homer, 4 RBIs, 4 runs, 4 walks, and 2 steals. He's up to 20 bags swiped on the year, and with three more homers he'll record his second consecutive 20/20 season. Chappy Sanders homered too, 7-for-25 with 3 doubles, 3 RBIs, 4 runs, and 2 walks. 32 of his 82 hits on the season have gone for extra bases, and his WRC+ is up to 85 in 90 games. Last hitter of note was Mooney Vetter, as the third basemen went 10-for-26 with a double, run, and 2 RBIs. He's one of the four tired starters, as we might have a very makeshift lineup to start the week.

Looking Ahead
Two more with the Wranglers in Dallas, adding a stretch of 11 consecutive games. A respectable 48-65, they're two games back of the Saints for eighth and 20 ahead of the Imperials for last. We'll get their All-Star Steve Miller (4-10, 4.03, 75) to start the week, but since his appearance he's allowed 6 runs in three of his four starts. After that it's Rex Conner (7-7, 4.59, 52), but the 27-year-old righty has a FIP exactly 50 points higher then his ERA. I like our lineup's chances here, even if in game two it's weaker and Conner is on a nice two stretch start (15.2 IP, 10 H, ER, 4 BB, 10 K). On top of that, Roy Ellis (8-4, 3.90, 106) and Andy Logue (7-13, 4.50, 85) should be able to carve through the 9th ranked lineup. Ken Hudson (.245, 17, 53) is their most dangerous hitter, but his production cratered in June and July. He doesn't have much protection either, and their 5 through 8 hitters all have a sub-80 WRC+. They are good at home, 30-27 so far, but if we play to our abilities this should be a fun stat-padding series before the critical home series that follows.

I'm sure you can guess who we're hosting, as the new Continental leading Sailors will draw port in Chicago. Four games above the Kings and Foresters, their next win will be #70, and I'm hoping we'll keep them at whatever they enter the series with. A quality road team (31-25), they rely on their arms, but the return of Carlos Jaramillo (.300, 4, 28, 17) has completely energized the team. Already starting to win when he was out, they've won five of six since his return on the 14th. 8-for-23 with a double, triple, and RBI, he also walked and scored seven times, all while continue to make acrobatic plays in the infield. His staff is grateful for his return, as groundballers Charlie Lawson (12-6, 3.75, 129), Hank Lacey (10-6, 3.83, 106), and Sam Franklin (5-0, 3.22, 52) can all breath a little easier when they're on the mound. The reverse of our staff, Lawson leads the #1 rotation while the swingman Franklin and stopper Eddie Chapman (7-9, 18, 4.03, 50) anchor the #3 pen. Due to the strong staffs, this is almost destined to be an absurd slugfest, and despite what the records show, these are two similar teams who pitch well, play elite defense, and run the bases well. The difference comes at the plate, where he hit more homers and they do better walking and putting the ball in play. We may not be the #2 team in the Conti, but if we can steal a series we'll be right back in striking distance of first.

Assuming of course, we don't blow the easy games!

Finishing the week is the first of three with the Stars in LA. At 62-51, they did what we did this week, go 5-2 but makeup no ground. A game behind us, they'll be tough to manage, and their offense is back to being one of the best. 25-year-old Ed Howard (.384, 4, 28) has made up for the move of Virgil Ewing (.290, 13, 75), as the super-utility man is looking to shed that role that destines players for a bench role. He can cover short and center, but I'd trust him for plus play everywhere else but catcher and pitcher, and he's already one of the team leaders. He's got a 167 WRC+ in 163 PAs, and the graduated 78th prospect has already been slotted behind young star Ralph Barrell (.295, 28, 91, 4) in the lineup. They won't be an easy opponent, and I'm hoping we can steal the first game before starting what could be another tough week.