June Swoon...

June Totals

• 11 wins - 16 losses 
• 3.06 ERA - FIRST in the AL (and yet second to last in WINS)
• 191.1 IP by the starters - FIRST in the MAJORS
• .227 BA - LAST in the MAJORS
• -4 run differential for the month, -14 overall

AT THE PLATE

Well, at least the pitchers hit pretty well during Interleague ;-)

The offense as a whole continues to sputter - those whose batting average had started to creep up a bit in May either had significantly reduced playing time (Cust, Wilson) or started/continued to spiral downward (Ryan, Kennedy, Smoak) in June. What to make of Miggy - he only had 17 hits in the month of June and 8 of them were home runs.  The lone bright spot?  Dustin Ackley.  Called up and in the starting line up for the first time on June 17th vs. the Phillies, Dustin collected his first hit in his first at bat and has reached base safely in every game he has played since - 10 hits in 12 games, including 2 homers, 2 triples a double and 4 walks.  Welcome to the Show, Dustin.  Welcome to the Show.

ON THE MOUND
Overall, the starters continued their splendid ways...
Well, Felix and Michael had rough months going 3-3 and 1-3 respectively and Felix gave up 5 earned runs, twice!  And then there was Mr. Fister who continued to garner the least run support in the majors so his 0-3 record was in NO way reflective of his performance (7IP twice and 8IP three times while lowering his ERA 30 points).  Jason was only 2-2 but, those two wins were pretty spectacular - both complete game shutouts (one vs. the Phils and one vs. the Rays). And, saving the best for last, despite another paltry recore (1-2) he was nearly lights out in June. Unfortunately, just before the calendar turned to July, he was placed on the 15-day DL with a knee sprain.

IN THE PEN

Not a super stellar month, but...

Could very likely be due to lack of use. Only follows that the starting staff with the most innings in the majors for the month would also have the bullpen with the fewest innings.  They also posted the fewest walks per nine innings in the majors. Here's to a little more use for the 'pen - just enough to keep 'em sharp and the rotation fresh.

OF BASE PATHS AND LEATHER WORKS

Dustin gets a gold star in this category as well...

His defense has been a very pleasant surprise.  He seems to have no problem turning the double-play - even with a runner bearing down on him.  Dustin's base-running has been pretty flawless as well.  No one will forget his run from 3B to home plate on a wild pitch during an INTENTIONAL walk vs. the Marlins.

Other than that, some great outfield catches and no real guffaws (well, if you don't count Figgy, who leads teh team in errors) and some nifty double plays.

JUNE STARS

Erik Bedard  pitched 32 innings in June, struck out 33, allowed only 6 walks and 8 runs - but only posted a 1-2 record.  Most believe he has WAY exceeded expectations and is definitely in line for the Comeback Player of the Year.  Here's hoping the DL stint will be short-lived (at least it's not his arm/shoulder). 

Dustin Ackley has been a breath of fresh air! Mostly, cuz he doesn't act like a rookie at all. He is poised and confident at the plate, even when facing tough lefties (for which he is 6 of 8 with a homer, a triple, a double and a walk). And, in the field it is to the point everyone is really rooting for him to turn the most difficult of DP's instead of fearing it.

Honorable Mention
Brandon League has gone 17.2 scoreless innings since that mid-May debacle and for June, he pitched 9.2 innings and allowed 7 hits and 1 walk. Way to bounce back, Brandon!