Mustangs still in the hunt

August was a month of ups and downs that cancelled each other out and resulted in a 14-13 record.  The Mustangs are still right in the hunt.  They gave up the division lead but trail the Jokers by only one game.  While they have their eyes on the division title, at least holding on to their five game lead in the wildcard race would be an acceptable consolation prize.

The offense has been sporadic at best.  A few scattered big innings won some big games but it has just as often plain not showed up.  1B German Hernandez and DH Fernando Garza have been the biggest contributers. 

Hernandez was a nice free agent find in 2012.  He signed on with a minor league contract and over time has played his way into being the every day first baseman.  His .277 BA and .341 OBP fail to represent his greatest stat.  52 of his 105 hits have gone for extra bases.  In August he batted .365 and drove in a team leading 17 runs. 

Garza just keeps steadily hitting his way through an all star season.  In August he racked up 33 more hits, 15 runs and 17 RBIs.  Just par for the course. 

One other offensive player of note is SS Bill Conway.  Bill came up to the bigs in July.  His mediocre defense prevents him from being a consistent starter.  But he is taking full advantages to show off his skills at the plate.  In a mere 37 at bats he has managed 14 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 14 runs batted in.  His biggest game was August 29th in Carolina.  Conway came as a pinch hitter to lead off the 11th inning and popped a solo home run.  That would be enough to win the game as Carolina came up empty in the bottom of the inning.  But the story did not end there.  His solo shot sparked the offense.  They batted around and Conway came up again in the 11th with two on.  He went yard twice.  The Mustangs put up 8 in the 11th to win 12-4.

Another month and same story.  The Mustangs live and die through the strength of their defense and pitching.  Manuel Ruiz was the clear cut number one of the month going 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.  27 year old Tim Berry bounced up and down from the minors and generally struggled for the first two years but has emerged as the staff #2.  Barry Johnson continues to be rediculous.  He has allowed a mere 3 earned runs in 50 innings pitched.

Here we go into September and the Mustangs are still in the race.  Can defense and pitching carry them through to the playoffs?  Mustangs fans think so.