Hochevar makes most of opportunity

This week's JR Cigars Smokin' Batter of the Week is Vancouver's Curtis Granderson. Granderson hit .500 (10-20) with a .542 OBP and a 1.392 OPS. He also hit 2 homers and drove in 6 runs. His main competition this week came from Philly's Albert Pujols, who hit .448/.455/.862 with 3 homers and a whopping 14 RBIs.

Other notables: Philly's Andre Ethier (.500/.533/.786, 9 R), Newark's Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.500/.565/.550), Carolina's Magglio Ordonez (.423/.483/.769, 10 RBIs), D.C.'s Derrek Lee (.368/.478/.895, 7 RBIs), Hoboken's Mike Napoli (.421/.455/.895, 2HR, 8 RBIs), and, of course, Hillsborough's Aubrey Huff (.391/.464/.609, 10 R).

We had one less game day this week, so there aren't many two-start pitchers to choose from. Instead we are going to honor Luke Hochevar of Philadelphia, this week's Chia Obama Pitcher of the Week. Hochevar has been claimed and released so many times in the past couple seasons, that you may have forgotten what team he was on. In fact, Hochevar was signed 5 times this year, Philadelphia being the last team, but he hasn't had a chance to show his stuff until Friday when he pitched 7 shutout innings against New Jersey, earning his first career DMBL victory.

Others in consideration: Carolina's Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-0, 2.57, 13 K in 14 IP) and Hoboken's Ryan Madson (1-0, 2 saves, 6 K in 5.2 IP, 0.00 ERA).