Record: 60-71 (19 GB, 2nd)
August looked like it would be a disastrous month without
Ben Grates and
Myles Fenty, but the Classics managed to keep their place in the standings and play just one game below .500 for the month. Rookie outfielder
Jose Chaparro led the way on offense, hitting for a sizzling .391 batting average, and stealing 11 bases.
Chris Rathert provided the most power, hitting 5 home runs in August as the everyday third baseman.
Ivan Gonzalez also turned things around at the plate, hitting .259/.362/.483 with 3 home runs and 17 RBIs.
Min-ho Lee had another great month as our ace, pitching 37.1 innings and allowing only 11 earned runs. Other than closer
Ramon Salazar and lefty
Mike Roberts, the bullpen largely struggled during the month, as the staff is much weaker after the Trade Deadline. A few arms have been added with Roster Expansion occurring at the beginning of September, so hopefully that will improve our numbers at the end of the season.
Injury Report:
We got bad news about RF
Ben Grates, as he is still not ready to return to the lineup with a knee injury. Luckilly, the starting outfielders (Chaparro, Corella, and Lizarraga) have been playing well, but without Grates there is almost no power in the lineup.
DH
Myles Fenty should be ready to go soon as he recovers from a strained groin, and he will likely replace
Jose Tapia in the lineup, who has struggled of late.
SP
Andy Castillo was removed from his last start with a back injury, but he should return to the rotation after spending 10 days on the Injured List.
2B
David Hinjosa is day-to-day with an elbow strain, but he should still see occassional playing time in the infield.
Tony Palacios is starting to play much better, so he has taken most of Hinjosa's playing time.
Transactions:
The following pitchers have been called up as a result of September 1st Roster Expansion:
RHP Matt Stotler
LHP Josh Lawrence
RHP Juan Dominguez
RHP Gustavo Robles
RHP Mario Segura
LHP Stephon Russell
Around the League:
Heroes SS Danny Camacho went 5-5 against the Explorers, improving his season average to .306.
Impact LF Josh Miracle recorded 5 hits against the Gamblers, and he is now hitting .337 with 9 home runs.
Explorers CF Hector Sanchez is expected to miss the rest of the season with a concussion. Sanchez hit .299 in his first season with New Orleans, driving in 40 runs.
Jackals SP Sam Tomlin will miss the rest of the regular season with a strained rotator cuff. The 24-year old is 14-6 with a 2.61 ERA, striking out 149 batters.
WL Batter of the Month: Comets LF Rafael Cervantes: .378 AVG, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 20 R
EL Batter of the Month: Heroes RF Nick Kitzler: .387 AVG, 10 HR, 29 RBI, 32 R
WL Pitcher of the Month: Thunderbirds SP Nate Girgenti: 38.2 IP, 2.56 ERA, 35 K
EL Pitcher of the Month: Monarchs SP Davon Wooldridge: 44.2 IP, 1.81 ERA, 27 K
WL Rookie of the Month: Comets 1B Matt Stephens: .282 AVG, 10 HR, 27 RBI
EL Rookie of the Month: Waves SP Mario Aguirre: 36.1 IP, 2.23 ERA, 20 K
Classics Awards:
Hitter of the Month: LF Jose Chaparro: .391/.419/.491, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 23 R, 11 SB
Pitcher of the Month: SP Min-ho Lee: 37.1 IP, 2.65 ERA, 34 K, 1.04 WHIP