Diamond in the Rough

AMERICAN LEAGUE
(WEEK 2 - Award Winners)

There was many good pitching performances in both leagues for Week 2, but a three-hit shutout by the South Shore Fighting Imps' Scott Diamond against the Washington Filibusters could not be ignored. This week's A.L. Pitcher of the Week goes to Diamond -- He improves his record to 2-0, with a 1.13 ERA. He also had 7 K's, while allowing no walks.

Diamond's teammate Joe Mauer had another strong week -- batting .421 (8-for-19), with 2 HR's, 6 RBI & 6 runs, but it still was not good enough for Mauer to win it (So instead Mauer snuck into Diamond's picture on the right!). We leaned towards the Boston Bravos' Shane Victorino for similar stats of .400 (8-for-20), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 6 runs & 3 stolen bases, while the Bravos won their series 4-1 over their division rival Bronx Bombers. So congrats to Shane Victorino for A.L. Player of the Week.


The Carolina Panthers' Justin Verlander improves to 2-1, with his 3rd CG in 3 starts, allowing no ER's, 2 runs & 5 hits against the Buffalo Yankees. Verlander has 25 K's in 27 innings, so far.

A.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-Jeff Samardzija (CHI) - Shutout & Win, 12 K's/3 BB's (lowers ERA to 2.35).
• C-Joe Mauer (S.S.) - .421 (8-for-19), 2 HR, 6 RBI & 6 runs.
• SP-Madison Bumgarner (FAIR) - 3rd win, 8 IP, 2 ER, 9 K's (lowers ERA to 1.96).
• SP-Justin Verlander (CAR) - 2-1, with a 0.69 ERA for the season, striking out 6, walking one & allowing 5 hits.
• 3B-Aramis Ramirez (WAS) - .353 (6-for-17), 8 RBI & 2 runs.

• SP-Dan Haren (BOS) - 8 shutout innings, 5 K/1 BB & 4 hits allowed.