TeamW/LPctGB
Brooklyn Royal Giants43-33.566
Homestead Grays41-35.5392
New York Gothams40-37.5193.5
Philadelphia Stars38-39.4945.5
Ottawa Mounties35-40.4677.5
Effa Manley Division | 25 June

#Brooklyn Royal Giants

In a move long clamored for by the fans, the Royal Giants have replaced Sandy Koufax with Fernando Valenzuela in their rotation.

Roy White hit two out and Smokey Joe Williams did just enough to even his record at 7-7 as the Royal Giants topped Philadelphia, 11-5.

Mike Piazza hit 2 homeruns, edging towards 30 on the season, and White, Germany Smith, and Jackie Robinson also went yard, backing a strong outing from Frank Knauss, who improved to 8-4 in the 9-4 win over the Stars.

#Homestead Grays

The Grays have sent Carlos Zambrano to AAA, hopefully to get a bit more consistent work, and recalled Ricardo Rincón to give them a lefty from the bullpen.

Rey Sánchez has also been sent down, with teenager Judy Johnson being recalled into the utility IF role.

Roberto Clemente hit for the cycle in a 13-3 thrashing of Brooklyn, the first player in the WBL to do so this year.

#New York Gothams

Joe Adcock went deep twice and Benny Kauff delivered a key pinch hit homer as the Gothams beat Homestead, 9-5.

#Ottawa Mounties

The Mounties slugged 7 homeruns, going back-to-back and back-to-back-to-back in a 10-1 drubbing of Houston. Gary Carter had 2, and Rick Monday, Sam Thompson, Adrián Beltré, Roberto Alomar, and Álex Rodríguez each reached the seats as well. Old Hoss Radbourn improved to 9-5, allowing only 3 hits and 1 run in 8+ innings of work for Ottawa.

Bob Moose will miss the better part of a year with a torn labrum, just as the Mounties’ rotation looked like it was rounding into shape. Bryn Smith was recalled from AAA.

Carter hit another 2 homeruns (that’s 28 on the season) and Ottawa rolled over Kansas City, 10-0. Johnny Podgajny threw 8+ innings of 4-hit ball, improving his record to 2-1.

Thompson went yard twice in a 6-2 win over the Monarchs, backing an excellent effort from Bill Smith, who improved to 6-2 on the season.