[PilotMan]

August Recap


LA goes 18-10 and stays in the mix as the season winds down. Our record is 77-54, 22 games above .500, and in a tie with the Astros for first in the West. LA is getting good offensive production, as the team is 2,3, or 4 in pretty much every offensive category. The pitching staff is good too, just about 4^th all around in every pitching category. The starters are #2 in ERA, but the bullpen is 7^th in the NL.

Getting Rickey back in the lineup has been critical to LA getting it's offense back in order. He's crucial in the lead off spot. He hit 4 HR's and hit over .300 in August. He also added 12 steals to get to 52 on the year. He only needs 3 more to have his highest number in 4 years.


Would you believe that Kelly Downs was the best pitcher for August? Well he was, with a 4-0 record and his 3.15 ERA. Fernando was awful with a 6+ ERA for the month. We need him to get it back together.


It's also September call up time. Here are the guys that are getting the call up to the Show:


C Jack Fimple (.211/2/28 in AAA) – Primarily a catcher, also plays 2b and 3b. Has 1 option year left. At 28, he's not getting any younger. He had 1 at bat last year.


3B Billie Merrifield (.246/6/30 in AAA) - Plays the corners and can also play some outfield. Has 2 option years left. He the #15 prospect in the organization, but he's also 25. He's gonna have to make some gains soon.


IF/OF Ty Dabney (.311/2/26 in AAA) – Dabney is a typical utility player who came up for a cup of coffee earlier this year. He's got 1 more option year left. He's the #16 prospect in the organization.


IF Ross Jones (.290/2/25 in AAA) Played 5 games earlier in the year with a .188 avg. This is his last option year, and at 27, he's too old to be a prospect.


OF Tom Byers (.348/13/71 in AAA) Byers is still in search of his first career hit at the age of 29, but he's been the best player in AAA for a couple years. He looks like a 4A player, who could be dangerous in the right situation. He still has 1 option year left.


IF/OF Chuck Jackson (.298/10/63 38SB in AAA) Jackson is back up with the team after filling in while Sax was out hurt. He hit .286/.360/.333 with the team in 7 starts. He is the #3 prospect and #133 in all of baseball. Still has 2 option years left.


RP Sergio DelRosario (2-1, 6 S 5.04 ERA in AAA) At 22, he's a young power pitcher who can hit 100 MPH. Started last year in A ball and moved up fast. He's the #10 prospect in the organization. This is his first call to the majors.


RP Brian Holton (0-2, 1S 8.27 ERA in AAA, 1-0 6.46 ERA 15.1 IP with LA) Minor league journeyman who finally got the call this year. Hasn't had good stuff this year and his 28^th birthday is coming quickly.


RP Charlie Kerfeld (3-2, 13S, 2.70 ERA in AAA) This is his second call, and his first this year. Had some control problems, but put his best season together this year. Has 1 more option year remaining.


The NL West is a 3 horse race, with the Reds sitting just 3.5 behind the leaders. The Padres have fallen back, but are still only 8 out. The loss of Franco really hurts a struggling bullpen. Rhoden is expected to miss one more start before he's back with the team and they hope that Scioscia won't be too far behind.


LA has been good in past September's and they'll need to be spot on once again this year, because Houston is good.