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September 1, 1950
Memphis holds a one-game lead in the West as San Antonio slides from first to fifth. The Missions lost 13 of 14 starting July 30, including a sweep at Houston with three losses in extra innings (14, 13 and 12). On the flip side, Dallas, in last place on July 1st, have since gone 37-17 to move into second spot and contend for the pennant. The Drifters have allowed the fewest runs (515) in the CBA, thanks to starters Quinton Reed (13-6, 2.73), Joseph Phillips (11-8, 3.54) and PotM Devon Couch (10-10, 3.76).
The Eastern Division is all but decided, with the Norfolk Clippers out front by an astonishing sixteen games over Jacksonville in second. The defending champs' magic number is just 14, thanks to the efforts of CF Scott Heyer (.341, 16 HR, 78 RBI, 95 R, 28 2Bs, 81 BB, 31 SB) and closer Dave Samuelson (6-5, 41 SV, 2.69 ERA, WHIP 0.99).
Elsewhere in the East, a pair of two-time All-Star pitchers had their careers ended by torn back muscles. Atlanta's Stephen Vance (Career 24-16, 3.37) was felled on August 17, and recently acquired Kyle Roemer (Career 39-21, 3.62) went down on August 26 for Miami.
Western Division Batter of the Month:
LF Buck Blasingame (NSH) - Hit .304 with 7 HR and 25 RBI, including 7 RBI versus New Orleans on August 5
Western Division Pitcher of the Month:
Devon Couch (DAL) - Went 4-1 with a 3.48 ERA, but put on the DL with back spasms on August 29
Eastern Division Batter of the Month:
CF Nick Bacon (TAM) - Hit .431 with 3 HR and 23 RBI
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Month:
Tim Steele (ATL) - Went 5-1 with a 2.79 ERA, signed two-year extension for $4.6 million (from $5.7 million) at age 39
Western Division Standings
Memphis....... 72 - 61 .541 -
Dallas........ 71 - 62 .534 1
Houston....... 69 - 64 .519 3
New Orleans... 66 - 67 .496 6
San Antonio... 66 - 67 .496 6
Nashville..... 63 - 70 .474 9
Eastern Division Standings
Norfolk....... 83 - 50 .624 -
Jacksonville.. 67 - 66 .504 16
Atlanta....... 64 - 70 .478 19.5
Miami......... 62 - 71 .466 21
Tampa......... 60 - 73 .451 23
Carolina...... 56 - 78 .418 27.5
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