[Tiger Fan]

Back after a long delay while I worked on other dynasty reports.

FRIDAY JUNE 16, 1952
The Bees do little in my first game after a couple of weeks away from the Western League. We open a 3-game set in New Orleans and Pelicans ace Odis Fickes (13-3, 2.45) makes us look silly. He retires the first 11 Bee's hitters before a walk and a Carlos Alvarez double give us a brief 1-0 lead. The Pelicans take the lead in the bottom of the 4th on a 2-run homer from Marion Porras. The man known as 'The Surgeon' has now hit 14 roundtrippers this season. The Pelicans chase our starter Harry Carter (6-3, 2.74) with a 3-run 6th inning and cruise to a 6-2 win. Oh well, at least the bullpen did not let me down this time.

SATURDAY JUNE 17, 1952
Richard Johnson allows just 1 run over 8 innings and despite a bit of a scare in the 9th James Green earns the save as we beat the Pelicans 4-1. Johnson was outstanding at the plate as well going 3-for-3 but all our offense came from a fourth inning outburst that included rbi singles from Carlos Alvaraz, David Esparza and Michael Desrochers. Johnson improves to 4-3 with the win. Green allowed 2 hits and got a circus catch from Desrochers to curtail a New Orleans rally so his 9th save was barely a positive effort.

The win leaves us tied with Denver for 2nd place, 2.5 games back of the Pelicans. Kansas City is also in the thick of things, just 3 off the pace. Out West San Diego has built a 6.5 game lead on Seattle.

In the minors, David McMullin made his AAA debut for San Antonio and went 0-for-3 but he did draw a pair of walks. My other two stud prospects are at AA Topeka. Manny Amaral is 4-4 with a 4.02 era and seems to be adjusting to that level of competition. The 21 year old may just get a shot at AAA late in the year. 24 year old catcher Andrew Sistrunk is now hitting .239 and as much as I would like to move him up a level I may have to wait until next season.