It’s September 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s August Wrap Up – a look at August statistics and stories that caught BB Roundtable’s eye; leader boards for the month and Year-to-Date: BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month; and the monthly Trot Index.
Here’s a hint at the kind of things you’ll read about – if you make it to the end of this post.
- A player tying the MLB record for doubles in a game – and doing it in a seven-inning contest.
- Another “Cycle” and another “Immaculate Inning.”
- A rookie tossing a no-hitter in his first start.
- A player hitting three Grand Slams in a span of 19 plate appearances.
- A rookie ending the month with a still-active streak of getting on base in 31-straight games.
- One team recording a 13-game winning streak; another a 19-game losing streak.
- Miguel Cabrera’s 500th home run, Joey Votto’s 2000th hit and Aroldis Chapman’as 300th save.
- Shohei Ohtani’s 42nd home run; eighth mound victory; 22nd stolen base; and first stela of home.
For all this and more, read on.
—–BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH – AUGUST 2021—–
National League Player of the Month (thought August 30) … C.J. Cron, 1B, Rockies.
Photo: KA Sports Photos from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Cron’s 34 August RBI led all of MLB, his .387 average led all MLB players with at least 75 August at bats and his 11 August home runs led the National League. Overall, he put up a .387-11-34 line with 36 hits, 18 runs scored and a .463 on-base percentage in 26 games. He had 12 multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI games – including a two-home, seven-RBI game against the Marlins on August 8.
Honorable Mentions: Can’t overlook Phillies’ RF Bryce Harper (.337-10-25) and Atlanta’s 3B Austin Riley (.359-6-18), whose 37 August hits led the NL. Paul Goldschmidt also had a solid month at .350-5-24, with 16 runs scored and four steals.
National League Pitcher of the Month … Adam Wainwright, RHP. Cardinals
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Apparently life can being at (or just before )40. The veteran Wainwright, who turned 40 on August 30, was the only National Leaguer to notch five wins in August. Wainwright went 5-1, with a 1.43 ERA over the month. That 1.43 ERA was the fourth-best in the National League among pitchers with at least 20 August innings. You’ll see in the honorable mentions that there were a handful of very worthy candidates for this August recognition, but Wainwright gets the nod on the basis of his MLB-leading 44 innings pitched (averaging just over seven innings per start) and 0.80 WHIP (lowest in the NL among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched). In his six August starts, he pitched under seven innings just once (that was a six-inning , two-run stint against the Brewers on August 17, when he was lifted for a pinch hitter with the Cardinal trailing 2-0). He threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout against the Pirates on August 11. Wainwright fanned 36 batters in his 44 August innings.
Honorable Mentions: A pair of Max(es) put up recognition numbers in August. Max Scherzer came over to the Dodgers from the Nationals on July 30 and went 4-0, 1.55, with 41 whiffs in 29 innings; while the Braves’ Max Fried went 4-0, 1.36 in five August starts (one a complete-game shutout) with 28 strikeouts in 33 innings. I’ll also give a nod to the Padres’ Blake Snell, who went 3-1. with a 1.72 ERA and whose 54 August strikeouts led MLB.
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American League Player of the Month … Salvador Perez, C, Royals
Photo: Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
While Perez hit only .268 for the month, he led all of MLB with 12 home runs and his 28 RBI were second only to C.J. Cron of the NL Rockies. A lucky thirteen of his 26 August hits went for extra bases. From August 25 through August 29, Perez homered in five straight games – going .381-5-13 in that span. The five-time Gold Glover behind the plate finished August with 38 home runs and 94 RBI on the season.
Honorable Mentions: Indians’ SS Amed Rosario deserve a shout out for his 42 August hits (26 games), which led MLB. He put up a .372-4-20 line for the month. Oakland CF Starling Marte was right behind Rosario with 41 August hits (.363) in 26 games. Marte also led MLB with 19 stolen bases (in 19 attempts) for the month. White Sox’ 1B Jose Abreu put it all together in August, going .330-10-25 and scoring 22 runs. Finally, Rays’ SS Wander Franco went .313-3-18, with an MLB-leading 26 runs scored. Notably, he was on base in everyone of his 25 August games (hit, walk or hit by pith.) More on that in the Highlights section.
American League Pitcher of the Month … Tie: Marco Gonzalez, LHP Mariners & Robbie Ray, Blue Jays
Gonzalez was a workhorse for the Mariners in August, going 3-0, with a 1.58 ERA and pitching the AL’s second-most August innings (40). While he fanned only 27 batters, he walked just six and his 0.80 WHIP was the third-best among AL pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched. Gonzalez is a bit of a surprise here (and the surprise factor may have swayed my selection). He came into August at 3-5, with a 5.48 ERA (13 starts). His August surge included a complete-game, two-hit shutout of the Rangers on August 12.
Ray was perhaps even more effective for the Blue Jays – but with less reward. He threw 41 innings in six starts (leading the AL in innings pitched). He also led the AL in strikeouts with 52 (one of only three MLB pitchers with 50 or more whiffs this August). In addition, he logged and impressive 0.85 WHIP, gave up just one home run and held opposing hitters to a .188 average. Yet, he got just one win (five no-decisions). In his five no-decisions, the Blue Jays scored a total of nine runs (Ray did not give up more than two runs in any August start.)
Honorable Mentions: The White Sox’ Dylan Cease went 4-0, 2.83 in six August starts and had MLB’s third-highest August strikeout total, with 50 strikeouts in 35 innings, Cease fanned 10 or more batters in three of his six starts .The Rays’ Shane McClanahan went 5-0 in five August starts (more on McLanahan in the “Surprise Player” section.) The Indians’ Tristin McKenzie pitched 28 August innings (four starts, two wins, one loss and a 1.93 ERA) and delivered a 0.50 WHIP, holding batters to a .126 average. That WHIP and average were the lowest in August for any pitcher with at least 20 innings pitched.
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Surprise Player of the Month …. Tie: Shane McClanahan, LHP, Rays and Frank Schwindel, 1B, Cubs
Schwindel Photo: Desposito122, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Rays’ 24-year-old rookie southpaw Shane McClanahan (in just his third professional season) came into August with a 4-4, 3.93 record. The rookie got five starts in August, won all five and put up a 2.76 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings. (Word of caution, he had three August starts against the Orioles). Still, 5-0 from a rookie – even if he was a first round draft choice (2018) – is a pleasant surprise.
When the Cubs picked up 29-year-old 1B Frank Schwindel on waivers from the A’s on July 18, he had 35 MLB at bats, with just four this (.114 average), one home run and three RBI. Yet, he was soon in line to replace Cubs’ star Anthony Rizzo, traded to the Yankees just 11 days later. In August, Schwindel hit a robust .344, with five home runs, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. Schwindel hit safety in 22 of 26 August games, with multiple hits in ten of them. Side note: Schwindel had a .286-135-548 line in eight minor-league seasons and hit .296-17-49 in 54 games at Triple A this season.
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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE
Through August 2021, 36.6 percent of the MLB season’s 148,181 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (23.4%); walks (8.7%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.
Now, to provide a little context (a more detailed post on this topic coming soon). Here are a few selected annual Trot Index scores since I began watching baseball in earnest: 1950 – 22.8 %; 1960 – 25.1%; 1970 – 27.0%; 1980 – 23.1%; 1990 – 26.1%; 2000 – 29.9%; 2010 – 30.3%; 2021 – 36.6%.
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Now for a look at how team performed in August.
The overall standings did not change a lot, but there was some movement of note. (You’ll find full year-to-date standings near the end of this post.) Notably, the Mets’ 19-loss August dropped them from first place (as of July 31) to third in the NL East. The Yankees’ 21-win month, moved them past the Red Sox into second place in the AL East. However, they actually lost ground on the first-place Rays. And, while the Dodgers’ 21-wins didn’t move them past the Giants (who won 19), they cut the lead from three games to just 1/2-game.
Three teams played .700+ ball in August – Rays (21-6), Dodgers (21-6) and Yankees (21-8). While we’ve come to expect the Rays to “get it done” with pitching, their August ERA placed tenth in the AL, while their 182 runs scored were first in MLB. Still they handled their staff well enough to win – using nine different starters and getting saves from seven different pitchers. (And, of course, they had Shane McClanahan, who started five games and won them all – 2.76 ERA). The offensive leaders were 2B Brandon Lowe (.262-9-26); SS Wander Franco (.313-3-19, with 26 runs scored); and RF Randy Arozarena (.362-4-11, with 15 runs scored. The veteran presence of newcomer Nelson Cruz (five homers, 18 RBI) was also felt.
The Yankees must feel frustrated having gained no ground on the Rays. New York had the AL’s lowest August ERA and second-most runs scored. They did it with a bit of star power and a solid bullpen. The Yankees scored 154 August runs and nearly a third of them were driven in by Aaron Judge (.345-8-26) and Giancarlo Stanton (.327-9-25). On the mound, Gerrit Cole went 3-0, 0.51 in three starts and the Bombers got three saves each from Aroldis Chapman, Chad Green and Wandy Peralta.
The Dodgers’ pitching fueled their 21-win month. Their 2.25 August ERA was far and away MLB’s best; while their 129 runs were sixth in the NL. Max Scherzer went 4-0, 1,55 in five starts; Julio Arias 3-0, 1.38 in five starts; and Walker Buehler 2-1, 1,56 in six starts. Kenley Jansen picked up a win and eight saves (in eight opportunities) and Blake Treinen was 3-0, 1.23, with two saves in 14 appearances out of the pen. On offense, LF AJ Pollock, C Will Smith, 1B Max Muncy and SS Corey Seager each had 14 or more August RBI and Muncy, 3B Trea Turner and SS Corey Seager each scored 17 or more August runs.
——-Team Statistical Leaders for August———
RUNS SCORED
National League – Reds (142); Phillies (142); Rockies (141)
American League – Rays (182); Yankees (154); Red Sox (147); White Sox (147)
Three teams scored fewer than 100 runs in August: Pirates (92); Met’s (95); Tigers (95).
BATTING AVERAGE
National League – Rockies (.266); Cardinals (.262); Brewers (.256)
American League – Astros (.270); Red Sox (267); Indians (.261)
The lowest August team average belonged to the Pirates at .217. Lowest in the AL were the Angels at .229.
HOME RUNS
National League – Reds (46); Braves (43); Giants (43); Rockies (43)
American League – White Sox (47); Rays (44); Red Sox (43)
The Pirates had the fewest August home runs at 17. Lowest in the AL were the Tigers at 24.
STOLEN BASES
National League – Marlins (17); Padres (15); Cardinals (13)
American League – A’s (33); Indians (32); Royals (32);
Contrary to expectations – at least Baseball Roundtable’s expectations – the top six teams in August steals were from the American League (as well as seven of the top eight and eight of the top ten). The Rockies, Reds and Diamondbacks were at the bottom of the stolen base list with three swipes each.
BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS
National League – Cubs (303); Diamondbacks (282); Reds (267)
American League – Yankees (268); Angels (262); Mariners (258)
Hitters for the Blue Jays fanned the fewest times in August (200).
BATTERS’ WALKS
National League – Nationals (108); Phillies (99); Braves (96)
American League – Yankees (111); Red Sox (104); Twins (97)
EARNED RUN AVERAGE
National League – Dodgers (2.25); Giants (3.07); Cardinals (3.30)
American League – Yankees (3.16); Blue Jays (3.49); Mariners (3.52)
Two teams had earned run averages over 6.00 for August: The Orioles (7.43) and the Cubs (6.97). No surprise, they combined for 11 wins and 44 losses. At the other end of the spectrum, the two squads with the lowest August ERA’s (Dodgers and Giants) went a combined 40-15.
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Brewers (281); Dodgers (278); Padres (261)
American League – White Sox (292); Red Sox (265); Yankees (265)
The White Sox staff fanned an MLB-highest 10.51 batters per nine innings in August. The Brewers led the NL at 10.32. Ten teams average better than one strikeout per inning for the month.
SAVES
National League – Brewers (12); Dodgers (12); Giants (11)
American League – Yankees (14); Mariners (9); Rays (9)
The Orioles had just four save opportunities in August and converted one.
—-August 2021 Highlights —-
Rizzo, Not a Bad Deadline Pickup
Anthony Rizzo, acquired by the Yankees (from the Cubs) two days before the July 29 trade deadline, began paying dividend immediately. Rizzo drove in a run in each of his first six games as a Yankee (July 30-August 4) – becoming the first Yankee ever to collect an RBI in each of his first six games with the Bronx Bombers. After those six contests, Rizzo was hitting .400 (8-for-20) as a Yankee, with three home runs, eight runs scored, six RBI, four walks and just one strikeout. He did cool off, however. At the end of August Rizzo was hitting .250-4-12 in his Yankee tenure.
Home Sweet Home
On August 7 – at the Olympic competition in Japan – the Japanese baseball squad top the Americans 2-0 for the Olympic Gold
Burnes Burns Cubbies
On August 11, Brewers’ 26-year-old righty Corbin Burnes was in control, as his Brewers topped the Cubs 10-0 at Wrigley Field. Burnes not only fanned 15 batters in eight innings, he tied an MLB record by fanning ten consecutive batters (from the leadoff hitter in the second inning through the leadoff hitter in the top of the fifth (Cubs’ 1B Fred Schwindel both times). Burnes used 41 pitches to record the ten straight whiffs (all swinging) and did not go to a three-ball count on any batter. In his eight innings of work, he faced 27 batters and threw 99 pitches – 74 strikes. Burnes’ 2021 record at the end of August was 9-4. 2.27.
Record are Made to be Broken … or at Least Tied
Hall of Famer Tom Seaver (Mets) set an MLB record by striking out 10 consecutive Padres’ batters on April 22, 1970. That streak stood unmatched for more than fifty years – until this season, when the Phillies’ Aaron Nolan fanned ten straight Mets on June 25 and the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes sent ten straight Cubs down swinging on August 11.
Tossing a Maddux
Braves Hall of Famer Greg Maddux had a reputation for efficiency. That, in fact, is why the term “throwing a Maddux” has come to mean tossing a complete-game shutout in less than 100 pitches. On August 11, the Cardinals’veteran righthander Adam Wainwright did just that – shutting down the Pirates 4-0 for his 11th win of the season – in just 88 pitches (58 strikes). Wainwright gave up just two hits, walked no one and fanned seven. Here’s his inning-by-inning pitch count (starting with the first frame); 13; 7; 12; 9; 9; 12; 7; 13; 6. Wainwright appears to have he Pirates’ number this season. Through August, in four 2021 starts against the Pirates, he is 4-0, with a 0.30 earned run average.
Walk Don’t Run
On August 12, A’s 3B Matt Chapman came to the plate six times, saw 31 pitches, never put the ball in play and still scored three runs. Chapman drew a five-pitch walk in the top of the second inning; a seven-pitch walk in the fourth; a four-pitch walk in the fifth; a six-pitch walk in the sixth; and a five-pitch walk in the eighth. He came up in the top of the ninth with a chance to tie the all-time record for walks in game, but struck out looking on a 1-2 pitch from Blake Parker.
THE PROMOTIONAL DAYS OF AUGUST
Field of Dreams with a Dream Finish
On August 12, Baseball came to Dyersville, Iowa – to the farm that was featured in the blockbuster movie Field of Dreams – and baseball did not disappoint. It started, appropriately, with a dramatic entrance – Kevin Costner, lead character from the movie, emerging from a cornfield beyond the outfield with a baseball in hand, followed by the Yankees and White Sox teams (in throwback uniforms). The teams then proceeded to face off in an 8,000-seat ballpark built especially for the event (about 500-feet from the ball field featured in the 1989 movie).
Ultimately, baseball was the star of this event, as the White Sox won a see-saw game 9-8 on a walk-off, two-run home run by SS Tim Anderson. In the contest, the White Sox jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, fell behind the Yankees 3-1 after 2 ½ innings, retook the lead in the bottom of the third (5-3) and held it until the top of the ninth, when the New Yorkers tallied four times to move ahead 8-7, before Anderson’s long ball won the game.
The game proved a win, not only for the White Sox, but for MLB – as it drew the largest TV audience of any regular-season MLB game since 2005. Side note: Tickets for the game (sold via lottery) had a face value of $375 and $425 and, according to news reports, were going for well in excess of $1,000 on the secondary market. How this event will fare going forward remains to be seen. Will the novelty/nostalgia factor decline or will it have staying power? It will be interesting to see what promotional and ceremonial activities MLB comes up with for future Field of Dreams matchups.
The Little League Classic Shows Its Staying Power
MLB’s fourth Little League Classic (August 22) featured the Indians and Angels at Williamsport, Pennsylvania’s Muncy Bank Park Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field (the second oldest ballpark in minor league baseball). The game brought major leaguers to Williamsport during the Little League World Series. The Little Leaguers enjoyed the evening’s game, which saw the Indians top the Angels 3-0.
Just as important, if not more important, the event featured a lot of interaction between the Little Leaguer and Big Leaguers – whether it was signing autographs; paying ping pong, Wiffle Ball or “Ladder Golf”; sharing batting, pitching and fielding tips; or sliding down the Lamade Stadium hill on flattened cardboard boxes. A good time, as they say, was had by all. The Little League Classic, initiated in 2017, has become a baseball tradition that let’s the national pastime shine. Clearly, the LLC will continue to be an unforgettable experience for big leaguers, little leaguers and all of us who follow the game.
Lucky Friday the 13th
On Friday, August 13th, the Los Angeles Dodgers topped the Mets 6-5 in ten innings (in New York) scoring two runs on a Will Smith leadoff homer (that dreaded and dreadful placed runner scored) in the top of the tenth. (The Mets came back to tally one run in the bottom of the inning.) The win broke a bad “spell” for the Dodgers, who had lost their past 11 extra-inning games (and had a 1-12 record in extra frames on the season). Perhaps to prove the spell was truly broken, the Dodgers topped the Mets 2-1 in ten innings the very next day. Then, on August 25, they won their third consecutive extra-inning outing (5-3 over the Padres in 16 innings).
Let’s Get This Party Started- and Tie a Record, Too
On August 14, Diamondbacks’ rookie southpaw Tyler Gilbert no-hit the Padres (7-0) in his very first MLB start. Not only did it make him one of just 24 pitchers to hurl a no-hitter as rookie, it also made him just the fourth player to toss a no-no in his first MLB start. Further, it was the eighth no-hitter of 2021, tying the MLB record for the most no-hitters thrown in a season (set in 1884). Gilbert completed his no-no in 102 pitches, walking three and fanning five. For more on first start no-hitter, click here.
Newman Won’t Four-Get This One
On August FOURteenth, the Pirates hosted the Brewers in a FOURteen-inning doubleheader. Pittsburgh won the first game FOURteen to FOUR. In that game, Pirates’ SS Kevin Newman, who came into the contest hitting .218, went FOUR-for-FOUR, with FOUR runs scored and two RBI. His FOUR hits were all doubles, enabling him to tie the MLB record for most doubles in a game (and he did it in seven innings). Not only that, he recorded his FOUR doubles in consecutive at bats in FOUR consecutive innings (third, FOURth, fifth and sixth). Newman had just 12 doubles in his first 105 games played this season. In Game Two of the twin bill, by the way, the Pirates collected just FOUR hits in losing to the Brewers 6-0.
Racking Up the Big Numbers
Photo by Keith Allison 
On August 16, the Reds’ Joey Votto notched his 2.000 MLB hit (as well as his 1,999th and 2001st), as the Reds pounded the Cubs 14-5. This was Votto’s third landmark hit of the 2021 season. On April 30, he smacked his 300th home run and on June 30th, he collected his 1,000th RBI. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other player to reach the three marks in the same season was the Cubs’ Billy Williams (1971).
Move Over Babe Ruth, Here Comes Brett Phillips
On August 16, as the Rays topped the Orioles 9-2, Rays’ RF Brett Phillips smacked (and ran) an inside-the-park home run leading off the sixth inning. It was Phillips’ 10th home run off the season and fifth in 19 days. Notably, three of the immediately preceding four Phillips’ long balls (all of the over-the-fence variety) were Grand Slams (July 29 versus the Yankees; August 9 versus the Orioles; and August 11 versus the Red Sox). Per STATS, 19 days is the shortest period of time in which any MLB player has record three Grand Slams and an inside-the-parker. Previous record holder? Babe Ruth (36 days, 1929). Side note: Phillips three Grand Slams came in a span of just nineteen plate appearances. Impressive, but well short of the record – three slams in 14 plate appearances by the Tigers’ Jim Northrup (June 24-June 29, 1968). All of this, of course, is part of the #InBaseballWeCountEverything” mindset.
Move Over Babe, Here Comes the Sho
On August 18, Shohei Ohtani put on a show in the Motor City. The Angels’ two-way star started on the mound, batting leadoff. In the contest, won by the Halos 3-1, Ohtani pitched eight innings for the victory, giving up six hits and one run while fanning eight. He also hit his MLB-leading 40th home run of the season. It was Ohtani’s 18th start on the mound this season and he ran his record to 8-1, 2.79.
Shohei Ohtani is the first MLB player to hit 40 home runs and pitch in at least 15 games in the same season. Second place on the list? Babe Ruth, who hit 29 homers (leading the AL) and pitched in 17 games in 1919.
Motoring for the Cycle
On August 18, as the Braves topped the Marlins 11-9, Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman hit for the cycle – going four-for-five with four runs scored and two RBI. It was the second cycle of the 31-year-old Freeman’s career – making him the 28th player (post-1900) to achieve multiple cycles. Freeman doubled in the first, tripled in the fourth, singled in the fifth and went deep in the sixth.
The Beautiful Swan that Turned into an Ugly Duckling
On August 21, the Yankees faced off against the Twins in New York and it was a pretty ho-hum game (at least for Twins fans, as the Yankees held a six-run lead in the seventh inning). That’s when we had the “you see something new at just about every ball game” moment. Yankee 3B Rougned Odor came up with two-on and one out in the bottom of the seventh. On an 0-2 count Odor called – and was granted – time out as Twins’ pitcher Ralph Garza went into his windup. Garza completed the pitch, which Odor (still in the batter’s box) launched into the right field bullpen for an apparent three-run home run. Not so fast! Despite the loud New York celebration, Odor was called back to the plate, with the timeout enforced. He proceeded to strikeout – part of a zero-for-three, two strikeouts game (one HBP).
The Ugly Duckling that Turned into a Beautiful Swan
Okay, this is out of chronological order, but it seems to fit after the Odor story directly above. On August 28, as the Red Sox topped the Indians, recently called up Boston 2B Jonathan Aruaz (starting and batting in the nine-hole) came up in the top of the eighth inning with runners on first and second, no outs and the Red Sox trailing 3-1. Aruaz was called on to bunt and (ugly duckling here) muffed on two bunt attempts. After those futile bunt attempts, Aruaz hit a 3-2 pitch off James Karinchak for a three-run homer (beautiful swan)– giving the Red Sox a one-run lead that held up for the win. It was the 23-year-old’s second MLB home run (in 42 games … 2020-21).
500 and Counting
On August 22, Tigers’ DH hit his 13th home run of the season – a solo shot off the Blue Jays’ Steven Matz, in the top of the sixth, that tied the game 1-1. (This Tigers went on to win 5-3). Home run number 500 came nine games and 37 plate appearance after number 499 (in the fifth inning of an August 11 5-2 Tigers’ win at Baltimore.) Number 499 broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth. Cabrera did not wait as long between 500 and 501 (which he hit in the Tigers’ very next game, August 24 at St. Louis.). Cabrera’s next target on his Hall of Fame quest? That would be 3,000 hits. He stood at 2,961 as August action came to an end.
A long time a coming.
On August 10, 1971, Harmon Killebrew hit his 500th career round tripper. It came in the first inning, off the Orioles’ Mike Cueller, in a 5-3, ten-inning loss in Minnesota. Killebrew had been sitting on number 499 since July 25 (14 Twins games), a period of 59 plate appearances and 43 at bats between 499 and 500. Number 501, by the way, came just five innings and two at bats after 500.
There’s a FIRST Time for Everything
MLB’s current ageless wonder – 41-year-old Nelson Cruz (who finished August with a .268-26-71 line on the season) started at first base for the Rays (against the Phillies in Philadelphia). Cruz went three-for-four with two RBI in the game – which is no surprise for the professional batsman. It was surprising, however, to see Cruz start at first base for the Phillies. It was the first time he started at first base in 17 MLB seasons and 1,852 MLB games. In fact, it was the first time he started at first base in his professional career – so you can add in 741 minor-league games and 98 games in the Dominican Winter League and Caribbean Series. Cruz handled seven fielding chances without an error, which proved you can teach and old dog new tricks. (There’s hope for me yet.)
Three K’s – Nine Pitches-Three Times. That’s a Fire Sale
On August 26, as the Red Sox topped the Twins 12-2 in Boston, Chris Sale threw the fourth “Immaculate Inning” (three up, three down, three strikes on nine pitches) of the 2021 season. Three appeared to be a lucky number as the Immaculate Inning came in the third frame. The victims were CF Nick Gordon, SS Andrelton Simmons and RF Rob Refsnyder – the numbers eight, nine and one in the order. Notably, it was the third Immaculate Inning of Sale’s career – tying him with Sandy Koufax for the most such perfect frames. Sales’ previous Immaculate Innings came on June 5, 2019 and May 8, 2019. In getting the win, Sale itched 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks, while fanning eight.,
They Call It the Streak
August was a streaky a month, at least for a couple of teams. The Yankees put together a 13-game winnings streak (August 8 through August 27 – during which they outscored their opponents 75-35, outhit them .251 to .215 and out-homered them 25-15. In the streak, Yankees pitchers pit up a 3.19 ERA to their opponents 6.20. Yankees’ batters went down on strikes 123 times to their opponents’ 135. Notably, the 13-win streak included three one-run victories and five two-run wins. It involved seven home victories and six on the road.
Aroldis Chapman helped keep the Yankee streak alive with a save on August 26. He came on in the ninth with New York up 7-6 on the A’s and gave up just a harmless single. It was Chapman’s 300th MLB save and 24th of this season.
On the other side of the coin, the Orioles dropped 19 consecutive games (August 3 through August 24) – in which they were outscored 163 to 55. The streak started with four losses in which the Orioles gave up a total of 45 runs, while scoring just 13. Over the course of the streak they were outhit by their opponents .311 to .245 and out-homered 38 to 27. The Orioles’ pitching staff put up an 8.67 ERA during the streak, to their opponents’ 2.68. The Orioles gave up ten or more seven times during the losing streak and lost by six or more runs eight times. They finally made it back to the win column on August 25 with a 10-6 win over the Angels (thankfully in Baltimore). The Orioles trailed in that one 6-5 until scoring five in the bottom of the eighth innings.
More #InBaeballWeCountEverything
On August 27, Yasmani Grandal came off the injured list to get his first start behind the plate for the White Sox since July 5. He did it with a flare – going four-for-six, with a double, two home runs and eight RBI (as the ChiSox topped the Cubs 17-13). The eight RBI were a career-high for Grandal and tied the White Sox single-game record. Now, for the “counts everything” moment, STATS reported that it is the most RBI in the first game back from a player who spent at least a month in the IL.
Happy Birthday to Me
On August 27, Cubs’ rookie first baseman Patrick Wisdom celebrated his thirtieth birthday – on the ball field. Wisdom, whose rookie status is intact, despite brief call ups with the Cardinals, Ranger and Cubs in 2018, 2109 and 2020, celebrated the big 3-0 with a two-homer, four-RBI game against the crosstown White Sox. (It was his second multi-homer game of the season). Apparently, he wasn’t done celebrating, as he had another two-homer game against the ChiSox the very next day.
Baseball, It’s a Wander-ful Thing
As August came to an end, Rays’ 20-year-old rookie shortstop Wander Franco could look back on a month in which he got on base in all 25 games he played – via 31 hits, nine walks and two hit-by-pitch. (Franco went .313-3-19 for the month. The August performance was part of a still active 31-game streak of getting on base .
Still A Long Way to Go
In 1949 (July 1 through September 27), Ted Williams set the MLB record for more consecutive games reaching base safely. – an astounding 84 contests. During the streak, Williams hit .371 (112-for-302) with a .518 on-base percentage (92 walks). He had 24 home runs, 81 runs and 80 RBI over the 84 games. The streak included 14 games in which Williams did not get a hit, but got on base via the walk(s).
What Doesn’t This Guy Do?
On, August 31, Angels Pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani – who leads MLB with 42 home runs and has an 8-1, 3.00 record in 15 2021 starts on the mound – stole stole two bases (his 21st and 22nd of the season). The cherry on top of the Sundae – one of those was not really a base, but home plate.
——-Individual Statistical Leaders for August ———
AVERAGE (75 June at bats minimum)
National League – C.J. Cron, Rockies (.387); Tyler Naquin, Reds (.386); Bryan De La Cruz, Marlins (.384)
American League – Amed Rosario, Indians (.372); Starling Marte, A’s (.363); Randy Arozarena, Rays (.362)
The lowest August average (among players with at least 75 at bats in the month) belonged to the Yankees’ Rougned Odor at .146 (12-for-82).
HOME RUNS
National League – C.J. Cron, Rockies (11); Bryce Harper, Phillies (10); Patrick Wisdom, Cubs (9); Brandon Belt, Giants (9)
American League – Salvador Perez, Royals (12); Hunter Renfroe, Red Sox (10); Jose Abreu, White Sox (10)
RUNS BATTED IN
National League – C.J. Cron, Rockies (34); Bryce Harper Phillies (25); Joey Votto, Reds (24); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (24)
American League – Salvador Perez, Royals (28); Eloy Jimenez, White Sox (27); Jorge Polanco, Twins (27)
The Rockies’ C.J. Cron had the highest slugging percentage for August (among players with at least 75 at bats) at .828.
HITS
National League – Austin Riley, Braves (39); C.J. Cron, Rockies (36); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (36)
American League – Amed Rosario, Indians (42); Starling Marte, A’s (41); Ty France, Mariners (39)
DOUBLES
National League – Bryce Harper, Phillies (11); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (11); three with ten
American League – Jeimer Candelario, Tigers (10); Myles Straw, Indians (9); Starling Marte, A’s (9); Brandon Lowe, Rays (9); Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers (9)
TRIPLES
National League – Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (3); Edmundo Sosa, Cardinals (3); five with two
American League – Amed Rosario, Indians (2); Jose Ramirez, Indians (2); Victor Reyes, Tigers (2); Brandon Marsh, Angels (2)
The Rockies’ C.J. Cron led (players with at least 75 August at bats) in on-bad percentage at .463.
STOLEN BASES
National League – Trea Turner, Dodgers (5); Jazz Chisholm, Marlins (5)
American League – Starling Marte, A’s (19); Whit Merrifield, Royals (11); Nicky Lopez, Royals (10)
The Royals’ Nicky Lopez was ten-for ten in August steal attempts. .
WALKS
National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (33); Bryce Harper, Phillies (22); Jorge Soler, Braves (18)
American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (23); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (21); Franmil Reyes, Indians (19)
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Patrick Wisdom, Cubs (45); Ian Happ, Cubs (38); three with 36.
American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (48); Brandon Marsh, Angels (43); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (42)
Joey Gallo struck out in one-half of his August at bats (48 whiffs / 96 at bats).
PITCHING VICTORIES
National League – Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (5-1); Max Fried, Braves (4-0); Max Scherzer, Dodgers (4-0); Logan Webb, Giants (4-0); Vladimir Gutierrez, Reds (4-2); Kyle Gibson, Phillies (4-2)
American League – Shane McLanahan, Rays (5-0); Dylan Cease, White Sox (4-0); J/T. Chargois, Rays (4-0); Liam Hendriks, White Sox (4-1)
The Orioles’ Spencer Watkins (0-6, 10.80) was the only MLB pitcher to take six losses in August.
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)
National League – Max Fried, Braves (1.36); Julio Urias, Dodgers (1.38); Logan Webb, Giants (1.41)
American League – Steven Matz, Blue Jays (1.30); Cal Quantrill, Indians (1.42); Marco Gonzalez, Mariners (1.58)
Among Pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched in August, the Indians Tristin McKenzie held batters to the lowest average (.126) and recorded the lowest WHIP (0.50).
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Blake Snell, Padres (54 / 36 2/3 IP); Sandy Alcantara, Marlins (48 / 39 2/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (43 / 43 IP)
American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (52 / 41 IP); Dylan Cease, White Sox (50 / 35 IP); Cal Quantrill, Indians (40 / 38 IP)
SAVES
National League – Will Smith, Braves (8); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (8); Josh Hader, Brewers (7); Jack McGee, Giants (7)
American League – Alex Colome, Twins (8); Raisel Iglesias, Angels (7); Emmanuel Clase, Indians (6)
–——Team Statistical Leaders through August ———-
RUNS SCORED (average 594)
National League – Dodgers (676); Reds (658); Braves (636)
American League – Rays (710); Astros (699); Red Sox (675)
Five teams averaged five or more runs per game through August: Rays (5.38) Astros (5.30); Dodgers (5.08); Red Sox (5.04); and White Sox (5.02). The Pirates averaged the fewest runs per game through August at 3.58. Lowest in the AL was the Rangers at 3.87.
AVERAGE (average .242)
National League – Nationals (.257); Reds (.249); Rockies (.249)
American League – Astros (.267); Blue Jays (.262); Red Sox (.259)
The lowest team average through August belonged to the Mariners at .223. The lowest average in the AL? Rangers – .229.
HOME RUNS (average 160)
National League – Giants (199); Braves (191); Dodgers (186)
American League – Blue Jays (196); Twins (185); Rays (179)
The Pirates had the fewest home runs through August at 101.
STOLEN BASES (average 60)
National League – Padres (97); Marlins (96); Phillies (68)
American League – Royals (97); Indians (83); A’s (78)
The Reds stole the fewest sacks through August at 27 (in 49 attempts).
WALKS DRAWN (average 431)
National League – Dodgers (514); Padres (502); Brewers (483)
American League – Yankees (529); Rays (485); White Sox (482)
The Astros led MLB in on-base percentage through August at .339. The Nationals led the NL at .333. In slugging percentage, the Blue Jays were on top at .450, while the Giants led the NL at .434.
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 1,155)
National League – Cubs (1,313); Marlins (1,274); Diamondbacks (1,224)
American League – Rays (1,290); Mariners (1,26-); Tigers (1,254)
What do those whiffs mean? In the American League, the team with the most batters’ strikeout is leading its division (Rays, 1,290), as is the team with the least batters’ strikeouts (Astros, 999)
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.22)
National League – Dodgers (3.01); Giants (3.30); Brewers (3.35)
American League – Yankees (3.65); Rays (3.67); Astros (3.68)
Three teams had ERA’s through August at 5.00 or higher– Orioles (5.84), Diamondbacks (5.14); and Pirates (5.05). They have a combined record of 132-262 – and all reside in last place. Among the six ERA leaders listed above, four are division leaders and two are in second place. Their combined W-L through August is 474-320.
STRIKEOUTS (average 1,155)
National League – Brewers (1,334); Dodgers (1,327); Padres (1,275)
American League – White Sox (1,322); Red Sox (1,248); Yankees (1,246)
The White Sox averaged an MLB-best 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings through August. The Brewers led the NL at 10.1. The only other team at 10 or better was the Dodgers (10.). The MLB average was 9.0.
FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED (average 431)
National League – Giants (344); Mets (377); Phillies (413)
American League – A’s (355); Rays (362); Blue Jays (385)
The Giants walked a stringiest 2.6 batters per nine frames through August. The Rays had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 3.40.
SAVES (average 32)
National League – Giants (48); Dodgers (43); Padres (40)
American League – Yankees (41); Red Sox (40); Mariners (38)
The White Sox and Phillies led MLB with four complete games each through August. (There were 44 complete games across MLB and six teams had zero complete games – Pirates, Rangers, Royals, Indians, Angels, Red Sox.
Bonus Stat – Hit By Pitch
Cardinals’ pitchers hit the most batters through August at 82 (the average was 58). Reds batters were hit the most often (92 times).
——-Individual Statistical Leaders through August 31———-
BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying players – 3.1 at plate appearance for each team game played)
National League – Trea Turner, Dodgers (.322); Nick Castellanos, Reds (.315); Jesse Winker, Reds (.307)
American League – Yuli Gurriel, Astros (.313); Michael Brantley, Astros (.313); Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.313);
The lowest average through August (among qualifiers) belonged to the Reds’ Eugenio Suarez at .169 (73-for-432). Notably, it was a productive .169 – as Suarez also had 23 home runs and 66 RBI.
HOME RUNS
National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (36); Pete Alonso, Mets (29); Adam Duvall, Braves (29); Max Muncy, Dodgers (29)
American League – Shohei Ohtani, Angels (42); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (39); Salvador Perez, Royals (38)
Shogo Akiyama, Reds’ CF has the most at bats without a home run this season (154). He stat line is .201-0-12 in 81 games. Royals’ SS Nicky Lopez ended August hitting .292 in 120 games (373 at bats) with just one home run.
RUNS BATTED IN
National League – Jesus Aguilar, Marlins (92); Adam Duvall, Braves (88); Ozzie Albies, Braves (86); Manny Machado, Padres (86)
American League – Jose Abreu, White Sox (102); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (97); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (96)
The Padres’ Fernando Tatis, Jr. had the highest slugging percentage among qualifiers at .640. The only other players above .500 through August were the Angel’s Shohei Ohtani at 623 and Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. at 602.
RUNS SCORED
National League – Freddie Freeman, Braves (95); Juan Soto, Nationals (88); Fernando Tatis, Jr. , Padres (86); Chris Taylor, Dodgers (86)
American League – Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (98); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (96); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (92)
HITS
National League –Trea Turner, Dodgers (154); Adam Frazier, Padres (148); Freddie Freeman, Braves (144); Austin Riley, Braves (144)
American League – Cedric Mullins, Orioles (151); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (151); David Fletcher, Angels (150)
DOUBLES
National League – Tommy Edman, Cardinals (35); Ozzie Albies, Braves (34); Nick Castellanos, Reds (32): Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (32); Jesse Winker, Reds (32): Nick Costellanos, Reds (32); Bryce Harper, Phillies (32)
American League – Jeimer Candelario, Tigers (36); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (35); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (34); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (34)
The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had the most extra-base hits through August (72). The Braves’ Ozzie Albies led the NL with 63 extra-base knocks.
TRIPLES
National League – Dave Peralta, D-backs (8); Ozzie Albies, Braves (6); Jake Cronenworth, Padres (6)
American League – Akil Baddoo, Tigers (6); Amed Rosario, Indians (6); four with five
STOLEN BASES
National League – Trea Turner, Dodgers (26); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (24); Starling Marte, Marlins* (22); *Marte is now with the A’s.
American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (38); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (25); Myles Straw, Indians (22); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (22)
Starling Marte led all MLB players with 42 stolen bases through August, but lead neither league. Marte stole 20 bases in the AL (A’s) and 22 in the NL (Marlins).
WALKS
National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (105); Bryce Harper, Phillies (74); Max Muncy, Dodgers (73)
American League – Joey Gallo, Yankees (99); Robbie Grossman, Tigers (79); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (72)
BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Javier Baez, Mets (154); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (149); Chris Taylor, Dodgers (144)
American League – Joey Gallo, Yankees (176); Matt Chapman, A’s (166); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (159)
PITCHING VICTORIES
National League –Julio Urias, Dodgers (15-3); Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (14-6); Walker Buehler, Dodgers (13-2); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (13-7)
American League – Gerrit Cole, Yankees (13-6); Chris Bassitt, A’s (12-4); Hyun Jin Ryu, Blue Jays (12-8)
The Orioles’ Jorge Lopez 3-14, 6.18), Orioles’ Matt Harvey (3-14, 6.14), Nationals’ Patrick Corbin (7-14, 6.26) and Reds’ Luis Castillo (7-14, 4.30) tied for the lead in losses through August.
EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying players … at least one inning pitch for each team game played)
National League – Walker Buehler, Dodgers (2.05); Corbin Burnes, Brewers (2.27); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (2.35)
American League – Lance Lynn, White Sox (2.59);Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (2.71); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (2.80)
INNINGS PITCHED
National League – Zach Wheeler, Phillies (182 2/3); Walker Buehler, Dodgers (176); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (169 2/3)
American League – Zack Greinke, Astros (159 2/3); Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (159 1/3); Luis Giolito, White Sox (158 1/3)
STRIKEOUTS
National League – Zack Wheeler, Phillies (208 / 182 2/3); Corbin Burnes, Brewers (189 / 139 IP); Max Scherzer, Dodgers (188 / 140 IP)
American League – Robbie Roy, Blue Jays (202 / 159 1/3 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (200 / 148 IP); Dylan Cease, White Sox (188 / 143 2/3 IP)
Among qualifying pitchers, the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through August at 12.24. The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole led the AL at 12.16.
Among qualifying pitchers, Burnes also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 7.27. Cole led the AL at 6.25.
SAVES
National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (36); Kenley Jansen,Dodgers (30); Alex Reyes, Cardinals (29); Jake McGee, Giants (29); Will Smith, Braves (29)
American League – Liam Hendriks, White Sox (30): Raisel Iglesias, Angels (29); Matt Barnes, Red Sox (24); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (24); Craig Kimbrel, White Sox (24)
Blake Treinen of the Dodger had the most “holds” through August at 25. The A’s Yusmeiro Petit led MLB in mound appearances through August with 66 (with a record of 8-1, 2.96, with two saves).
Primary Resources: MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com
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