-Abdulwahib Al-Sakir
Baghdad, Iraq, 4/8/2039, 13:44AST
Pearls' Record: 60-46, tied with Cairo for the division lead
Record since last Papers: 11-13
Run Differential: +64 (+4 since last Papers)
July was a poor month for Manama, who let Cairo back into a back and forth Division race after posting their worst month of the season. Injuries and regressions in performance both played their part in this, though despite their wobbles they have kept up with a Cairo team who rebounded after a disappointing June. As the season winds to its conclusion, it is a near certainty that the two of them will play each other in the Burt League's Championship series but they'll battle the rest of the way for home field advantage - and perhaps also against the Bancroft's representative in the United Cup series, should it get that far.
Standout performers for July were:
- 2B Grigory Vojjinsky, who has spent the season in a platoon at second, had a great month in his limited appearances, notching a .317/.396/.537 line through 10 starts and 2 pinch hitting appearances, for a .932 OPS. He was the only pearl to be over the .300 and .900 lines on the month. Amongst everyday players, it was OF Rhys Nornabell (.284/.327/.520) and 1B/DH Scott Hoover (.301/.360/.476) who led the way.
- Amongst starters, veteran LHP Jose Chavez continued his strong season with a 2.13 ERA over his five starts on the month, notching 16 Ks in 25.1 IP. Amongst relievers, closer LHP Jose Rodriguez, despite a typically solid month (2.53 ERA from 0.94 WHIP with 10K over 10.2 IP), was upstaged by newly promoted youngster RHP Max Born, who managed no earned runs on 0.64 WHIP with 8 Ks over 9.1 IP in an impressive debut month. He's already moved into a setup role in the Pearls rotation.
- Just one Manama award to report this month, as, despite a weaker month by his lofty standards, 1B Sandro Trujillo once again made off with a player of the week gong, for the period between the 11th-18th of the month. His line for that week was .417, 10 hits in 24 opportunities, 3 homers and 6 RBI.
- 3B Carlos Salazar missed two weeks of July with a foot contusion, though according to Mr. Lawton's most recent press conference he'll be back this week.
- LHP Juan Pagan has struggled with hamstring problems, with his current stint on the IL moving past the 10 day mark. Mr. Lawton was unwilling to give a timetable for his return.
I hope I'm not on the end of any more drunken swings. See you in September.
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