[ayaghmour2]

August 25th, 1903: We got today off and could enjoy Detroit before the Cajuns came to town for a three game set. New Orleans is 55-72, and 41 games out of first. We're expecting Steve Hudson (6-9, 5.66 ERA), Bill Rivera (1-2, 3.22 ERA), and Gene Parsons (5-2, 5.11 ERA).

August 26th, 1903: Jason Campbell (9-13, 4.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) got the ball in the opener against fellow lefty Steve Hudson (6-9, 5.66 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). This one was crazy, as it started with blowing a 3-1 lead in the 9th. Giobbe Capuana launched a solo shot in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game in extras. Both teams got runs in the 12th, but only New Orleans scored in the 17th, and they took the opener 6-5.

Jason Campbell left with a mild shoulder strain, and may or may not miss his next start. He pitched really well, 6.1 innings with 5 hits, a run, and 11 strikeouts. Simon Ellingson blew the save, 4 hits and 3 runs with a walk in his inning of work. Juan Barajas went 2.1 innings with 4 hits, a run, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Pat Peters was charged with the loss, allowing 2 hits, a run, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts in 4.2 innings. He started the 17th, but didn't get an out.

Damian Salcido was 4-for-7 with 2 doubles, a walk, and run scored. Giobbe Capuana was 2-for-4 with a solo homer and walk. Brett Olsen came off the bench and was 1-for-3 with a walk and solo homer. Dany Sanchez was 1-for-4 with a run scored and driven in. Mike Legg was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

New Orleans SS Frank Duran was 6-for-7.

August 27th, 1903: Game two saw former Cajun pitcher Nate McCue (15-9, 4.36 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) face Bill Rivera (1-2, 3.32 ERA, 1.34 WHIP). A 6 run 7th proved to be the distance, as we evened the series with a 12-6 win.

McCue went 6 innings with 12 hits, 5 runs, and 6 strikeouts. Tyler Bienvenu got the win, despite his runs and 2 hits with a strikeout in an inning.

Damian Salcido was 3-for-5 with a run scored. Giobbe Capuana was 2-for-5 with 2 runs, an RBI, and a double. Brett Olsen was 1-for-3 with a walk, run scored, and 2 RBI's. Jim Raines had a pinch-hit three run homer in the big 7th. Mike Shaddox was 1-for-4 with a run scored and RBI.

August 28th, 1903: I sent Tobias Laranjeira on a quick rehab trip. Him and Josh Stevens will join the team September 1st.

The rubber match saw Cody Hall (9-7, 3.98 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) go head-to-head with Jaime Bottorff (9-10, 5.53 ERA, 1.66 WHIP) who pitches much better against us then the rest of the league. Luckily, he regressed back to the mean, and we took the finale 7-4.

Hall went 7.2 innings with 5 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts. Follmar got a hold by finishing the 8th and Ellingson struck out 2 in the 9th for a save.

Jim Raines was 3-for-5 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored, 4 RBI's, and a homer. Mike Legg was 2-for-4 with a double, 2 runs, and RBI. Jorge Rancier was 1-for-3 with a double, 2 runs, RBI, and a walk.

We'll finish the month and the homestand against the Red Hawks. They've slipped a bit, falling to 61-69 and 11.5 games behind the Rebels for the Wild Card. They'll trot out Nam-shik Kim (1-2, 2.70 ERA), Eric Thomas (8-7, 4.45 ERA), and Aaron Hahn (9-5, 3.38 ERA).

August 29th, 1903: The Rebels will be without former 16th Overall Pick Antonio Gonzalez for the rest of this year and likely next year with a torn rotator cuff. The 23-year-old was 3-5 with a 5.80 ERA in 20 games (10 starts) in his first "full" season in the majors.

We welcomed the Red Hawks to town with D.J. Ruhnke (13-8, 3.90 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). The South Korean vet Nab-shik Kim (1-2, 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) was our opponent. It was a low scoring affair, and we edged the visitors 2-1.

Ruhnke almost went the distance, 8.1 innings with 2 hits, a run, and 15 strikeouts. He even broke his own Detroit strikeout recod. Simon Ellingson got a strikeout and fly out to finish the game en route to his 21st save.

Damian Salcido was 2-for-4 with a double, run scored, and RBI. Danny Sanchez was 1-for-2 with a double, RBI, walk, and hit by pitch. Jesus Camargo was 1-for-3 with a walk and run scored.

August 30th, 1903: The middle game saw Josh Fisher (1-1, 7.02 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) go against Eric Thomas (8-7, 4.45 ERA, 1.32 WHIP). Fisher looked really good, and we set up a sweep with a 4-2 win!

Fisher went 7 with 6 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, and 11 strikeouts. Bienvenu and Peters got holds and Ellingson got the save. Ben Follmar faced one batter, and gave up a homer.

Brett Olsen was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored. Jesus Camargo was 2-for-4 with a run scored and RBI. Mike Legg was 1-for-3 with a run scored. Jorge Rancier was 1-for-3 with a run scored and RBI.

August 31st, 1903: Chicago 1B Jose Sanchez and Newark CF Zack Lawrence were named Players of the Week.

In Grand Rapids, Juan Vela was Player of the Week. He hit .542 with 6 RBI's and runs scored.

We dropped to 5th in the Power Rankings. At 72-60, we're 2 out of 2nd and 24 out of 1st.

Jason Campbell (9-13, 4.21 ERA, 1.19 WHIP) healthy and ready to do some sweeping against Aaron Hahn (9-5, 3.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP). Late scoring proved vital, and a Jim Raines sac-fly lead us to a walk-off 4-3 sweeping victory!

Yeah, not sure if sweeping victory is gramatically correct, but who cares?

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!


Campbell went 7 with 4 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, and 10 strikeouts. Pat Peters got the win, 1.1 innings with a hit and strikeout.

Jesus Camargo was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Justin Arrington was 1-for-3 with a double, RBI, and walk. Jorge Rancier was 1-for-3 with a sac-bunt. Jim Raines was 1-for-4 with a two run homer and the sac-fly to win the game.

Brooklyn's Jerry Smith tossed a 2-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over Cleveland.

Tomorrow we're off, but we'd bring up a few reinforcements before the minor league season ends.

But more importantly, we finished August an impressive 20-8!