[FuzzyRussianHat]

Through April, defending World Series champion Washington has the American League’s best record at 18-10. Philadelphia and Boston are tied for second in the AL East at 14-14. Detroit at 16-12 leads the AL West with Chicago one back at 15-13. The other four teams are each at .500.

Brewers LF Willie Keeler was AL Batter of the Month in August with a .495 average, 51 hits, 9 home runs, 28 RBI, and 25 runs. He also had a 20-game hitting streak carrying over from last season. St. Louis righty Frank Miller was Pitcher of the Month with a 6-0 record for the Browns, 2.08 ERA, and 23 strikeouts over 52 innings. Minnesota’s Brownie Foreman was Rookie of the Month as the #12 pick tossed 51 innings with a 1.94 ERA, 34 Ks, and a 5-1 record.

The first six-hit game of the season came on April 13 from New York’s Jumbo Schoeneck against Washington. The 33-year old 1B also achieved the feat back in 1888 with Milwaukee, becoming the first major leaguer to have multiple six-hit games. Schoeneck also reached 1000 runs scored and 500 stolen bases in April.

Defending National League champ Philadelphia holds the top record in the majors at 19-9 through April. Brooklyn is second in the NL East at 15-13 with New York third at 14-14. Cincinnati sits atop the NL West at 18-10 followed by 16-12 New Orleans and 14-14 Indianapolis.

Reds RF Kip Selbach earned NL Batter of the Month in April with a .426 average, 7 homers, 33 RBI, and 25 runs. #1 overall pick Joe Corbett was both Pitcher of the Month and Rookie of the Month with the Giants. The 19-year old righty tossed 52.1 innings with a 4-2 record, 1.55 ERA, and 41 Ks.

The record-breaking contract signed in the offseason was LF Mike Tiernan to Pittsburgh. In bad news for the Pirates, Tiernan suffered biceps tendinitis at the end of the month, expected to keep him out two months. The bad luck continues for former MVP Jimmy Ryan since getting traded to Buffalo from Louisville. He played only 55 games in 1894 for the Bisons with various injuries. Now aged 32, Ryan suffered a torn meniscus in his fifth game of 1895 and is out 2-3 months.

In other news for Buffalo, they gave SP Adonis Terry a six-year, $176,400 extension. Cincinnati has had success despite a fractured thumb to top acquisition Frank Knauss, knocking him out a month. The three-time Pitcher of the Year with the Browns inked a seven-year deal with the Reds in the offseason.

In milestones, two Braves players joined the 2000 hit club; Alex McKinnon and Chicken Wolf. Entering May 1895, nine players have achieved the feat. Cardinals pitcher Mickey Welch became the fifth to reach 2000 career strikeouts. Reds veteran Cap Anson became the 14th with 1000 RBI.