[ayaghmour2]

September 29th, 1903: We got today off, but the New York Rebels face the Cinncinatti Red Hawks in a four game series to end the season. Erik Pike (17-9, 3.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP) got the ball for the rebels against Eric Thomas (9-11, 4.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) and the Red Hawks. It was a slufgest all day, and the Rebels out scored the Red Hawks 13-7.

Thomas allowed 10 hits and 6 runs with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts in 7 innings. Pike went 6 with 8 hits, 5 runs, and 7 strikeouts. Red Hawks RF Jarod Baker was 3-for-4 with a solo homer. Rebel 1B Roy Luska was 3-for-5 with a double, his 43rd homer, and 5 RBI's to give him 136 for the year. Manny Cardenas was 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored and driven in.

With New York now 88-71, they trail us by just 2 games. We head to Washington to finish the year, and will face Shane Fenley (2-1, 6.56 ERA), Bobby Centeno (5-13, 3.55 ERA), and superstar southpaw Marcos Hernandez (20-8, 2.81 ERA).

Magic number just 2!!!

September 30th, 1903: The opener saw Jason Campbell (13-13, 3.84 ERA, 1.14 WHIP) battle Bobby Centeno (5-13, 3.55 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) who jumped ahead in the rotation. Centeno has been used in the pen and the rotation, making his 20th start in 41 appearences. Despite a great start to the game, Simon Ellingson allowed a three run homer to Ricardo Garcia, and the Wildcats walked off 7-6 winners.

Campbell went 7 with 5 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, and 11 strikeouts. Ellingson was charged with all three runs, walking one and allowing 2 hits without getting an out.

Jorge Rancier was 3-for-4 with 2 runs and a solo shot. Justin Arrington was 2-for-5 with a solo homer, 2 runs scored, and 3 steals to give him 32 on the season. It's his 5th straight 30/30 season and 4th 40-30 season in 5 years. With 52 homers, it's his first, and likely first ever, 50/30 season. Brett Olsen was 1-for-5 with a two run homer. Omar Atillio was 1-for-3 with a walk and double.

New York won, so they are just 1 behind us...

It is actually not the first 50/30 season, as Arrington's forgotten about teammate Carlos Sandate hit 53 homers and stole 34 bases in 1899. While he never had another 50/30, he had a 35/40 in 1896 and a 56/23 in 1897.

In 1881, New York CF Hahim Berui, a Nigerian native, was just short, hitting 49 homers and stealing 36 bases in 143 games.

October 1st, 1903: September wasn't the kindest to us, so let's home October is only wins!

New York RF Armando Chavez and Boston CF Chris Shifley were named Players of the Week.

Deadline acquisition Jason Campbell was named pitcher of October in the AL. He was 4-0 with a 2.74 ERA and 65 strikeout sin 46 innings. The recordbreaker Jerry Smith was the Player of the Week in the NL.

New Orleans 1B Jesus Falcon and Baltimore SS Jordan Hendrick were rookies of the month.

It's a must win game here as the Wildcats bumped up Marcos Hernandez (20-8, 2.81 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) to face the rising star D.J. Ruhnke (16-9, 3.61 ERA, 1.16 WHIP). We managed to put up runs (8) and toppled the Wildcats 9-4!

Ruhnke went 7 with 6 hits, 4 runs, a walk, and 10 strikeouts. Simon Ellingson bailed out Joe Stoner in the 9th, getting the final 2 outs for his 29th save.

Jesus Camargo was 3-for-6 with a solo homer and 2 runs scored. Damian Salcido was 3-for-5 with an RBI. Josh Stevens was 2-for-3 with a double, run scored, walk, and 2 RBI's. Jim Raines was 1-for-4 with 2 walks, 2 RBI's, a run scored, and double. Justin Arringtonw as 1-for-5 with 2 runs, a walk, and solo homer.

And in even better news, New York lost! So we did it! On to the playoffs!!!!

Everyone off tomorrow!!!

Thanks to Nam-shik Kim, who tossed a 4-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over the Rebels.

Newark 2B Ian West was 5-for-5 in a 3-2 win over the Bearcats. Lightning SP Ron Howard tossed a 3-hit shutout in a 9-0 win over the Cajuns.

October 2nd, 1903: Day offs for everyone were in order as we finished off the season as a playoff team! I gave Juan Barajas (1-2, 4.72 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) the start against Jose Gonzalez (13-10, 3.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). It was an almost totally backup lineup:

SS Mike Shaddox
1B Juan Vela
3B Rich Bennett
RF Josh Stevens
LF Kab-shik Kin
CF Keith Mundt
C Danny Sanchez
2B Bobby Smarsh
P Juan Barajas

Despite a scary 4 run 7th, we managed to hold off the Wildcats in a 6-5 win, finishing the year an impressive 92-70!

Instant success!!!

Barajas was great, 5 innings with 2 hits, a run, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Felix Pena, who made his season debut, wasn't, allowing 6 hits and 4 runs with 2 walks and a strikeout in 2 innings. Jose Trejo got a hold, 2 strikeouts and a hit in the 8th. Danny Waltz got the save, ahit and strikeout in the 9th. It was Waltz' first career appearence.

On to the postseason!!!