[FuzzyRussianHat]

After the all-star break, Milwaukee gained two games on Detroit in the race for the American League West Division and the top record in MLB. The Tigers still hold it at 73-35, but the Brewers are three back at 70-38 after going 8-2 to end July. Minnesota at 65-43 is still in the hunt as well.

In the AL East, both Washington and New York went 14-8 for the rest of July to gain ground on the rest of the field. The Nationals hold first place at 58-50 and are still the only team in the group above .500. The Yankees are five back at 53-55 with Philadelphia next at 50-58, eight games back. The other three teams are all 11 away.

New Orleans was the National League’s best team after the break going 15-7, giving them the top NL record at 66-42. Cincinnati kept pace and moved into second in the NL West, nine back at 57-51. Chicago had a terrible 8-14 run to drop to ten back at 56-52, followed by defending World Series champ Indianapolis at 55-53.

Pittsburgh had a 10-12 record after the break, but still holds the NL East lead at 65-43. The Pirates are also only one behind the Pelicans for the NL’s top seed. Boston gained three games and moved into second in the NL East, five away at 60-48. New York sits six behind at 59-49 with Philadelphia also above .500 at 55-53.

AL Batter of the Month for July was Yankees CF Danny Green with a .385 average, 10 home runs, 26 RBI, and 21 runs. Detroit’s Ted Lewis was Pitcher of the Month on a 4-1 record, 1.57 ERA, and 33 strikeouts in 51.2 innings. Tigers RF Elmer Flick was again AL Rookie of the Month with a .380 average, 6 homers, and 20 RBI.

Giants 3B Charlie Irwin claimed NL Batter of the Month with a .347 average, 33 hits, 6 homers, 23 RBI, and 19 runs. Phillies veteran Silver King took Pitcher of the Month on a 5-1 record, 2.01 ERA, and 42 Ks in 49.1 innings. #1 pick Frank Chance with New Orleans was Rookie of the Month with a .404 average, 42 hits, 2 homers, 22 runs, and 11 RBI.

In injury news, former Pitcher of the Year Lee Viau suffered a torn elbow ligament on July 22 for Milwaukee. He’s expected to miss up to a calendar year. The 32-year old righty has been with the Brewers since an 1894 trade with Detroit. Viau is signed through 1901 and had a 2.71 ERA and 4.2 WAR over 182.2 innings in 1898.

The most impactful trade at the deadline was between Washington and Louisville. The Colonels moved the #1 draft pick from 1893, SP Bobby Wallace. A three-time all-star, the 24-year old Wallace had a subpar 4.26 ERA this year for the Colonels in 171, although his FIP- was still 72 and WAR 4.9. They sent him and middling 2B Zeke Wrigley to the Nationals for prospect Jim Delahanty. The 19-year old Delahanty was the #7 pick in the last draft and has a 65 potential grade and has put up good numbers so far this year for AA Norfolk.

In milestones, Buffalo’s Pete Browning was the fourth to 1500 runs scored. Teammate Adonis Terry reached 1000 runs scored. Browns 2B Bid McPhee and Pelicans RF Jocko Halligan both reached 1000 RBI. McPhee also hit 600 stolen bases, while Yankees 3B Bill Joyce got his 700th swipe. Phillies pitcher Jack Jones earned his 2000 strikeout.