Week 17

Record: 63-41, .606, 0 games back
Position: 1st place (6.5 games ahead of Chicago)
Runs Scored: 510 (4th in NL)
Runs Allowed: 423 (3rd in NL)
Defense: .696 (2nd in NL)
Power Ranking: 112.0 (4th in ML)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic, Fan Interest: 69/100
Last Week (4-3): 2-2 @ SF, 2-1 @ SD

• 7/28: PIT 2, SF 7 - Wandy was manhandled (2 IP 7 ER) possibly jeopardizing his spot in the rotation as Hunter Pence was unstoppable (3-3 3 RBI) and the Gents ended our 5 game winning streak. The only good news was that the bullpen continued its scoreless innings streak.
• 7/29: PIT 8, SF 6 - It got pretty ugly in the battle of the former Pirate vs. the former Giant as Nova (7.1 IP 7 ER) outlasted Lincecum (5 IP 6 ER) but the key moment was a grandslam by Lowrie in the 8th to put us up by 2. Herrera would work the final 2 innings to earn his 11 save of the season.
• 7/30: PIT 3, SF 6 - Pablo Sandoval (4-4 HR 3 RBI 3 RS) was too much for Liriano (6.1 IP 4 ER) and Sergio Romo shut us down in the 9th for his 30th save of the year.
• 7/31: PIT 5, SF 4 - Burnett earned his 5th win of the season going 6 innings allowing 2 ER. The bullpen gave up a couple ER to break its 21.2 inning scoreless streak. Marte hit a 2 run HR and McCutchen had a solo shot to lead the way offensively.
• 8/1: PIT 5, SD 1 - Castro was dominant through 6.2 innings allowing 1 earned and striking out 9. Marte had a 4-4 day with 2 RS and a SB and Jed Lowrie went 3-4 with a HR 4 RBI and 2 RS.
• 8/2: PIT 6, SD 3 - We needed a solid start from Wandy and he gave it to us (7.1 IP 3 ER). Travis Snider led the way offensively going 2-3 with a HR and 4 RBI and Jhan Marinez nailed down his 5th save in the 9th to push his season ERA down to 0.44 over 20 IP.
• 8/3: PIT 0, SD 2 - Lincecum pitched well (7 IP 2 ER) but Clayton Richard was electric (8.1 IP 0 ER 4 K's) as the Padres ended their 11 game losing streak.

We had a decent week after the split with the Giants and taking the series from the Padres. We managed to come away with a 6.5 game lead over the Cubs who have a game and a half lead over the Giants for the second wild card spot. The rotation continues to be inconsistent which is a big worry in a short play off series. The bullpen showed that it was human this week but still ranks 2nd in the NL in ERA. McCutchen has been struggling and I'm hoping he can bring it together sooner rather than later.


Who's Hot: Starling Marte 12-28 1 HR 4 RBI 8 RS, Brett Wallace 8-21 1 HR 4 RBI 5 RS, Simon Castro 1-0 12.2 IP 4 ER 9 H 3 BB 17 K's.
Who's Not: Andrew McCuthen 5-29 3 K's, Russell Martin 2-23 7 K's, Wandy Rodriguez 1-1 9.1 IP 10 ER 13 H 2 BB 11 K's.

Next Week: 3 vs. MIL, 4 vs. LAD

News from around the league:

7/28: The Houston Astros have acquired 25 year old LF Dayan Viciedo from the White Sox in exchange for 32 year old SP Paul Maholm and $1.51 mil. in cash.
7/30: The Tigers have acquired 28 year old minor league reliever Jair Jurrjens and $800K in cash from the Orioles in exchange for 23 year old minor league closer Slade Smith and 22 year old minor league CF Will Jamison.
7/30: The Royals have acquired 26 year old SP Steve Smith from the Astros in exchange for 19 year old minor league SP Garrett Williams and 23 year old minor league reliever Juan Santiago.
8/2: Wade Miley (ATL) is out 8 months with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.

AL Player of the Week: Albert Pujols (LAA) 14-27 3 HR 10 RBI 6 RS
NL Player of the Week: Pablo Sandoval (SF) 15-26 3 HR 10 RBI 6 RS

Monthly Awards (July):

AL Hitter of the Month: Jose Bautista (TOR) .300 BA 10 HR 25 RBI 20 RS
NL Hitter of the Month: Bryce Harper (WAS) .356 BA 9 HR 19 RBI 20 RS

AL Pitcher of the Month: Cody Allen (TB) 4-0 15.1 IP 7 SV 22 K's 2.35 ERA
NL Pitcher of the Month: Madison Bumgarner: (SF) 5-0 41.2 IP 34 K's 3.46 ERA

AL Rookie of the Month: L.J. Hoes (BAL) .299 BA 4 HR 16 RBI 11 RS
NL Rookie of the Month: Zack Cox (MIA) .405 BA 3 HR 21 RBI 12 RS