Our last update saw your beloved D-Bags sitting at .500 since the first time since the opening weeks of the season. Over the past 9 games, they have treated us to some of the best baseball they have played all year, going 7-2 and climbing to 5 games over .500 for the best mark of the 2012 season. With the recent surge they have snuck up to 5.5 games behind Wild Card leader and division foe Greenville, and 4.5 games back of Oklahoma.
Over those last 9 games, the offense is averaging 5.8 runs per game, which is almost a run above their season average, but it hasn't been the offense that has been winning them games, for the first time in awhile we can, it has been the pitching. In 8 of the last 9 games played the starter has made it at least through 7 innings, and only once gave up more than 4 runs. That includes 2 excellent starts and wins from Jose Brito, while Jose Reyes has ran his undefeated streak to 9 starts. The bullpen has been good, though they were responsible for one of the two losses. They have given up 5 ER over the 9 game span.
On the offensive side of things, it has been a complete team effort. Not just one person has stepped up to carry the team. In 9 games, 10 different players have multi-hit games. This includes Antonio Ruiz having a two triple game, Ik-jun Ye's muti HR game, Mario Ramirez's re-found swing and Milliard Cross's excellent play since being recalled from AAA to replace the recently traded Juan Garcia.
As good as the D-Bags have been playing, they are running out of time to make a run. Only 39 games remain, and while it might seem like a good number of games, being 5.5 games out is a tough number to make up. Their 11-5 record for the month has gained them exactly 1.5 games in the WC standings. The up coming 2 weeks will not be easy and will tell the fate of this team. Tomorrow they start a 4 game series AT division leading Pittsburgh, who has won 6 games in a row. Pittsburgh holds the series edge at 6-5 right now. Immediately after that they travel to Oklahoma, who sits in front of Jersey in the WC by 4.5 games, for a 3 game set. The D-Bags hold the series edge 4-2. An off day, then Pittsburgh comes to Jersey for a quick 2 game set before the Bags head to Madison for a 3 game set to the end the month. Madison and Jersey are currently tied with a 64-59 record. 12 games against teams over .500. It will be a very telling next 2 weeks!
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