Fernandez, Reynolds Take Pitcher of the Month Honours
On a team that boasts the likes of Gary Niles and John Smoltz, the young Osvaldo Fernandez has been arguably Motor City's best pitcher. He is leading the team in wins with 15, innings pitched and has even outdueled Smoltz in the strikeout department. He has topped his year's accomplishments with the EL Pitcher of the Month award for August, during which he collected the most wins of any pitcher (6), and suffered only 1 loss. No other pitcher attained even 5 wins. In 47 innings, he posted a 2.67 ERA and 27 strikeouts. Still, Fernandez's biggest challenge yet will be to help carry the Madmen to their second EL pennant.
Honourable mention went to Chuck Finley of the Edmonton Oil Kings. Finley was recently acquired by Edmonton to strengthen their chances, and so far he has done the job. In August, Finley posted a 4-0 record, a 1.93 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 37 innings pitched.
The DL's Pitcher of the Month was a tougher call to make, but no one could deny Shane Reynolds from another PotM award. Reynolds collected 4 wins in 6 starts to improve to 19 wins on the year. All 6 of Reynold's starts were quality starts, and he went an average of 7 1/3 innings in each. During August, he posted an ERA of 1.86. Honourable mentions went to Leefenhaufenhauz (4-1, 1.49 ERA), his name mentioned for the second month in a row, and Spokane pitcher Mark Clark (4-1, 0.94 ERA).
Johnson, Caminiti Are August Players of the Month
Lance Johnson had a tumultous month, first moving from Cincinatti to Anchorage, Alaska, and then being traded to Washington, but he didn't let that affect his performance on the field. Lance Johnson led all players in hits, stolen bases and walks. His batting average in August was .371, but his total on-base percentage was .469. Because of Johnson's performance, GM Nick Tulach took the opportunity to trade him at high value, for the coveted outfielder, Gary Sheffield. Of course, the fact that Johnson accomplished most of his feats in the EL didn't pass the notice of runner-up, Jeff Bagwell. "I don't want to take away anything he's done, but he should get the DL award instead." Bagwell smacked 10 home runs and 28 RBIs in August, all the while compiling a .367 batting average.
Ken Caminiti has been on an offensive surge, providing the Outlaws with post season hopes. The Deadwood thirdbaseman hit .389 in August, with 10 home runs, and racked up 31 RBIs.
