Los Angeles Dodgers' Zack Greinke wins NL Pitcher of the Month award

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke capped off his stellar play of late by earning August National League Pitcher of the Month honors.  Greinke is the second consecutive Dodgers pitcher to receive the award, following team ace Clayton Kershaw in July.

Greinke has more than justified his big free agent contract this year, as he has been outstanding on the mound, and also underrated at the plate, in the field, and on the basepaths.

In August, Greinke was a perfect 5-0 in five starts, tying for the Major League lead in wins while posting a 1.23 ERA (five earned runs in 36.2 IP) --the fourth-lowest mark among qualifying Major League pitchers.  He also had a scoreless streak of 12.2 innings during the month.

Moreover, his .211 (28-for-133) opponents’ batting average was tied for the eighth-lowest mark among NL pitchers, and he also struck out 30 in 36.2 innings, while walking just eight.

In addition, Greinke has proven to be a complete baseball player, as he is batting .347 (17-for-49) with two doubles and four RBI.

That hitting prowess was seen in the Dodgers clash with the Cardinals on August 5, when Greinke out-dueled Adam Wainwright.  Greinke not only allowed just two runs in 6.1 innings, but also drove in the winning run with a line-drive single off Wainwright in the top of the seventh.

Overall, Greinke has helped the NL West-leading Dodgers to a 23-6 record during the month of August and has combined with the rest of the Dodger pitching staff to post a 2.07 team ERA during the month, best in MLB.

Moreover, Greinke has been a true leader on the team.

After missing several weeks with a broken collarbone following a brawl with the Padres, Greinke has never hesitated during his return to protect Dodger batters by retaliating with inside pitches when necessary.  Such action has earned him respect in the clubhouse.

Other pitchers receiving votes included Greinke’s teammates -- Kershaw (3-2, 1.01 ERA, 36 SO, 35.2 ERA) and Ricky Nolasco (5-0, 1.64 ERA, 35 SO, 38.1 IP).  Also considered were Miami’s Jose Fernandez (3-1, 1.15 ERA, 49 SO, 39.0 IP); Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 12 SV, 19 SO, 16.1 IP); Joe Kelly (5-0, 2.08, 18 SO, 34.2 IP) of the St. Louis Cardinals; and Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels (2-0, 2.00 ERA, 37 SO , 45.0 IP).

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services