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 WASHINGTON
-- Chad Cordero was perfect in the month of June this year,
so it was only fitting that he was voted National League Pitcher
of the Month by the national media, it was announced on Tuesday.
Cordero tied the Major League record of 15 saves in a month
as the Nationals held on to first place in the NL East with
a flurry of close wins. Cordero did not allow an earned run
in 16 1/3 June innings, walking two and striking out 14.
"It's pretty cool to win Pitcher of the Month," Cordero
said. "The fastball was pretty much all I threw in June. I
was able to locate the pitch where I wanted to, and I was
able to get ahead of hitters with it."
That Cordero was able to dominate the league so thoroughly
with one pitch is a testament to his control, because Cordero
also has an excellent slider that can be tough to track after
a steady diet of his low-90s heaters, which tail slightly
toward right-handed batters.
In part because of his brilliance this June, Cordero was
named to his first All-Star team this season. He was the runaway
winner in the player balloting for relief pitchers, posting
more than 100 more votes (280) than any other NL reliever.
The 23-year-old saved all but three of the Nationals' 18
victories in June, including a span of six saves in seven
days to close out the month. For the season, Cordero is 2-1
with a 1.25 ERA and 29 saves in 32 chances. In 43 1/3 innings,
he's yielded only 34 hits and 10 walks while striking out
38.
The Major League saves leader, Cordero broke a franchise
record by converting his 24th consecutive save opportunity
June 29 against the Pirates. He extended the streak to 26
before having it broken Sunday in Chicago.
That blown save didn't even result in a loss, as the Nationals
rallied for a 4-3, 11-inning win over the Cubs. "Nobody was
down," manager Frank Robinson said. "The cry was, 'Let's pick
Chief [Cordero] up. He has been carrying us. We'll pick him
up today.' "
The Nationals have won two of the three games this season
in which Cordero has blown a save, with a 2-1 loss against
Atlanta on April 21 the lone time this season Washington has
sent Cordero to the mound in a save situation and not come
away with a victory.
Cordero, who will receive a specially designed trophy to
commemorate his award, beat out a strong field to win the
honor.
Other pitchers receiving votes this month were Cardinals
starter Chris Carpenter (4-1 with an 0.90 ERA and 43 strikeouts),
Houston starter Roy Oswalt (5-1, 1.40) and Braves starter
John Smoltz (5-1 with a 2.50 ERA).
Mark
Thoma is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not
subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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