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2009 MLB National League Central Notebook
There’s just no mistaking that St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols is the best pure hitter during this generation of the game. Hence, he is deservedly called, “The Machine’’.
Pujols topped off an amazing June by hitting a club-record 14 home runs for the month including two on June 30 against San Francisco. Plus, his 35 RBIs for June were a single-season club record.
Pujols has hit at least 30 home runs in each of his first eight seasons. But there is something more special about this run. This is the first time he has reached 30 before the All-Star break.
And again, the amazing part of Pujols’ game is that he just does not give away at-bats. He has struck out 32 times through the first three months of the season.
PITTSBURGH
The last-place Pirates have the distinction of being the only team in baseball to have scored more runs (337) than they have allowed (330).
But that hasn’t stopped them from trading people away from the organization. Less than a month removed from dealing center fielder Nate McLouth to Atlanta, the Pirates have dealt more players.
They traded outfielder Nyjer Morgan and reliever Sean Burnett to Washington, they then peddled utility player Eric Hinske to the New York Yankees.
That really hasn’t sat well with the players including shortstop Jack Wilson who was not happy with the direction of the franchise. He spoke out publicly but has since apologized for those remarks.
CINCINNATI
The Reds are keeping an eye on second baseman Brandon Phillips who was struggling through June. After getting off to a really good start with power with nine home runs, Phillips really fell off in June with only two.
Phillips has not hit a long ball since June 19 against the Chicago White Sox. But since then, he has fallen into a 4-for-24 (.167) drought.
Part of the problem for him has been an issue with a thumb injury. But he said he is not letting serve as an excuse.
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HOUSTON
Manager Cecil Cooper is going to a six-man rotation for the duration of the season up until the All-Star break.
That is a bit of an unusual move for a team because it can easily backfire. The risk is that the extra day of rest can lead to command problems. Another problem is that they will stay out of their routine.
But the Astros do not have a day off up until the break so Cooper wants to give his pitchers as much relief as possible.
One player who won’t be in the mix is right-hander Brandon Backe. Backe was given his release earlier this week.
MILWAUKEE
With second baseman Rickie Weeks out for the season with an injury, the team has been mixing and matching Casey McGehee and veteran Craig Counsell at that position.
Counsell is the perfect component for a team. At 38, he is no longer able to play a full season but he can play a good portion of a year.
He is more than capable because he is hitting .298 for the season through his first three months of the year. Plus, he can be considered to be one of the better fielders for a team as he usually makes the routine play.
CHICAGO
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez is slated to return to the lineup on Monday July 6 against Atlanta.
Ramirez is expected to go on a three-game rehab over the weekend before joining the team at Wrigley Field. Ramirez has been out since May 10 with a shoulder injury.
For sure, the Cubs could use him. He was off to a good start with four home runs in his first 18 games.
By Kevin Lonnquist
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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