MLB Standings
The Giants get through the month with a slim half lead over the Rockies, who themselves hold a 1.5 G lead over the Cardinals and the Pirates in the Wild Card standings. The Giants are on track for a winning record, 10 wins in September being enough to achieve that goal, but the postseason will still require a strong final month. The Royals have all but wrapped up the best record in baseball as well as another AL Central title.
San Francisco Schedule
It is another mixed month as the Giants only win three series, escape the month with a .500 record but lose the biggest series, at home to the Rockies.
San Francisco Stats
The Starting Rotation has struggled since the All-Star Break, but hopefully with Frederick back in the rotation that can be shored up and complement what has been a dominant bullpen.
The Giants C and IF corps had a great month, with Kevin Dobbs in particular excelling. The OF, however, has struggled, only Mike Berger managing a wRC+ above league average.
Kevin Dobbs picked up a NL Player of the Week Award when he went 13-32, with 4 Rs and 7 RBIs.
Andy Frederick had a strong first month back in the big leagues, a 77 FIP- a rare bright spot in the pitching corps. Rckey Martino provides a second, with a 26 FIP- in 9 G, another month with a 100% SV rate.
Transactions & Injuries
The Giants buy out the contracts of Sean LeVan and Jeff Abbott when their time on waivers expires. They lose Chris Gordon for 6 weeks with a rotator cuff strain, but Andy Frederick has returned just in time to give the Giants a 6-man rotation for the rest of the month.
Friday, August 1st , 2053
Assigned SS Nelson Covarrubias to Triple A Sacramento.
Released SS Jeff Abbott.
Released SP Sean LeVan.
Optioned RP Steve Feister to Triple A Sacramento.
Placed RP Estivinson Nosrati on the active roster.
Saturday, August 2nd , 2053
RP Chris Gordon diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain, will miss 6 weeks.
Purchased the contract of SP Andy Frederick from Triple A Sacramento.
Thursday, August 7th , 2053
Signed international amateur SP Juan Ramirez out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract.
Friday, August 8th , 2053
Signed international amateur SP Eddy Duenas out of Cuba to a minor league contract.
Sunday, August 17th , 2053
Signed international amateur SP Jorge Morales out of Venezuela to a minor league contract.
Wednesday, August 20th , 2053
Signed international amateur CF Ismael Arambel out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract.
Minor League News
When Jorge Ramirez takes the hill, chances are good for a Richmond victory. At least that's the way it was in May.
He excelled with a 4-1 mark and 2.13 ERA in 6 starts, tossed 38 innings, fanned 35 and held others clubs to a .220 average.
That's why the Flying Squirrels star was honored today as the Pitcher of the Month by the Eastern League.
This year, Ramirez has worked 41 innings with 37 strikeouts en route to a 4-1 record and 3.29 ERA.
The #1 pitcher in the Northwest League this month was Eugene Emeralds reliever Jeremy Polycarpe. He won the league's Best Pitcher Award for August by saving 5 games in 6 save opportunities.
Over the period Polycarpe also had 4 wins and no losses. The Emeralds relief ace had 15 strikeouts and 2 walks in 13 innings, surrendered 11 base hits and registered a 2.08 ERA.
For the year, Jeremy Polycarpe has made 11 relief appearances and nailed down 6 saves. In 14.2 innings he has fanned 17 batters and walked 3. His record is 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA and the opposition is batting .222 against him.