News
Washburn July's AL Pitcher of the Month
Lefty receives honor as he prepares for his Detroit debut
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
08/04/09 4:49 PM ET
When the Detroit Tigers swung a Trade Deadline deal for left-hander Jarrod Washburn, they enlisted the American League's hottest pitcher for their stretch run. Confirmation of that came on Tuesday, when Washburn was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for July. Washburn's stellar farewell to the Mariners was comprised of a 4-1 record and 1.44 ERA in 43 2/3 innings, netting the 34-year-old veteran the first monthly honor of his career. His ERA led all AL pitchers who worked 25-plus innings during July and lowered his season mark to 2.64. Washburn got his month off to a terrific start on July 6, when he one-hit Baltimore at Safeco Field without a walk in a complete-game effort. The Tigers' new arm -- who is making his Detroit debut tonight, facing those same Orioles at Comerica Park -- has been reliable as well as good, with a 12-start streak of pitching six-plus innings. Others considered for July honors were the Yankees duo of Mariano Rivera (0.00 ERA in 11 2/3 innings, 10 saves) and A.J. Burnett (4-0, 2.43 ERA), and the Angels' John Lackey (5-1, 2.70 ERA).Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
