The bats

The Pirate hitters are having fun - AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

What happened to the Pirates' offense? Through the first four months of the season, the hitting was the largest factor in a season spiraling out of control. However, Pirate bats have caught fire in August. After battering the Phillies over the weekend, the team is hitting .304/.380/.513 as a whole during the month. That leaves them second in Major League Baseball with an .893 OPS. Their 129 runs scored are unmatched by any team. Here are some individual numbers:

• Josh Phelps - .467/.571/.1000, 15 AB
• Jack Wilson - .413/.500/.652, 46 AB
• Freddy Sanchez - .373/.461/.560, 75 AB
• Xavier Nady - .357/.438/.571, 14 AB
• Adam LaRoche - .338/.400/.563, 71 AB
• Nate McLouth - .297/.378/.578, 64 AB
• Ryan Doumit - .300/.378/.525, 40 AB
• Jose Bauista - .269/.383/.478, 67 AB
• Ronny Paulino - .267/.323/.517, 60 AB

I guess it is true that hitting is contagious. The only thing remotely disappointing about that list is the ommision of Jason Bay's name. Bay's .661 OPS for the month is depressing. (By the way, I am convinced he is injured. He looks lost in every aspect of his game, and often is using only his arms when swinging. I don't know if it is his knee or another injury, but something definitely seems wrong with his lower body.)

However, the team's pitching has been lousy in August. While the team has scored the most runs in the month, it has allowed the third most. As always, the Pirates cannot match strong hitting with good pitching during the same period. Because of that, they are still struggling to win games.