Week 8

Record: 29-21, .545, 0 games back
Position: 1st place (1 game ahead of Chicago)
Runs Scored: 251 (3rd in NL)
Runs Allowed: 219 (8th in NL)
Defense: .684 (9th in NL)
Power Ranking: 113.4 (4th in ML)
Owner Mood: Delighted, Fan Interest: 67/100
Last Week (5-1): 2-1 vs. CIN, 3-0 vs. STL

• 5/27: PIT 5, CIN 6 - Tough loss, a sac fly by Jay Bruce in 10th off of Inoue was what gave Cincinnati the win.
• Jose Tabata was activated from the 15 day DL and Alex Presley was optioned to AAA Indianapolis.
• 5/28: PIT 8, CIN 6 - Liriano earned his NL leading 7th win in spite of a rough start (8 IP 5 ER). McCutchen continued with his hot streak going 2-4 with a HR and 2 RBI. Herrera nailed down his 4th save with a perfect 9th inning.
• 5/29: PIT 7, CIN 6 - Poor start for Lincecum (5 IP 4 ER) but Innoue did well in relief until he gave up a 2 run HR to our old friend Garrett Jones in the 8th. Luckily we got to fireballer Aroldis Chapman in the 9th with a solo homer from Alvarez and a 2 run single by Lowrie. Herrera nailed down his 5th save in the bottom half of the inning.
• 5/30: PIT 7, STL 2 - We got to Michael Wacha for 7 earned after he struck out 5 men in the first 2 innings. Jed Lowrie got things going with a solo homer and McCutchen added one of his own along with 3 RBI. Castro pitched very well (7 IP 2 ER) to earn his 4th win.
• Ivan Nova (1-2 5.40 ERA) was optioned to AAA Indianapolis today in hopes that he can work some things out. Justin Wilson was recalled as he's been dominating AAA (8-1 1.90 ERA 10 GS) and we'd like to see what he can do against major league hitters.
• 5/31: PIT 6, STL 4 - Wilson didn't fair well in his first big league start of the season (4 IP 4 ER) but the bullpen came through big as did Gabby Sanchez (3-5 3 RBI) who provided a 2 RBI single in the 4th inning to tie the game. Grilli earned his 7th save working the last two innings.
• 6/1: PIT 2, STL 0- Wandy dominated the game on both sides of the ball. He earned his 5th win (7 IP 0 ER) and had the lone Pittsburgh RBI. Chris Perez earned his second save of the season while pitching 1.2 perfect innings.

Who's Hot: Andrew McCutchen: 10-24 2 HR 8 RBI 7 RS, Neil Walker 10-27 1 HR 5 RBI 6 RS

Who's Not: Chris Davis: 4-24 8 K's,

Next Week: 2 @ CHI (AL), 2 vs. CHI (AL) 3 vs. SF

News from around the league:

5/27: Brock Holt (BOS) out 7 months with a torn labrum
5/31: It was announced today that 32 year old right handed reliever Casey Jansen will be sent to San Diego along with along with 19 year old minor league starting pitcher Roberto Osuna. The Blue Jays will recieve 33 year old left fielder Chis Denorfia as compensation.
6/1: Alex Avila out 6-7 weeks with a fractured finger.

AL Player of the Week: Corey Hart (TEX) 12-24 5 HR 14 RBI 5 RS
NL Player of the Week: Bryce Harper (WAS) 10-22 5 HR 7 RBI 9 RS

Monthly Awards (May):

AL Top Hitter: Corey Hart (TEX): .358 BA 11 HR 33 RBI 25 RS
NL Top Hitter: Bryce Harper (WAS) .369 BA 9 HR 22 RBI 28 RS

AL Premier Pitcher: RHP Justin Verlander (DET): 5-0 1.50 ERA 48 IP 45 K's
NL Premier Pitcher: RHP Juan Nicosio (COL): 5-0 3.24 ERA 41.2 IP 35 K's

AL Rookie of the Month: RF Dennis Springer (HOU): .337 BA 8 HR 24 RBI 19 RS
NL Rookie of the Month: CF Christian Yelich (MIA): .333 BA 2 HR 15 RBI 15 RS