Yankees Ivan Nova named the American League Pitcher of the Month for August

Starting pitcher Ivan Nova of the New York Yankees has been voted American League Pitcher of the Month for August.

Nova compiled a perfect 4-0 record with a 2.08 ERA, one complete-game shutout, 12 walks and 31 strikeouts in 43.1 innings over six starts in August to claim his first career monthly award. Nova's teammate CC Sabathia was the last Yankees hurler to get tabbed with the league's top monthly pitching accolade (July 2011). Among A.L. leaders for the month, Ivan finished first in ERA (minimum 27.0 innings), was tied for first in wins and starts and was tied for third in innings pitched. Opponents batted .250 against the righthander. In addition, Nova topped the Junior Circuit in fewest homers allowed per 9.0 innings pitched, surrendering just one blast.

In an Interleague matchup with the San Diego Padres on August 3rd, the 26-year-old limited the home team to four hits over 7.0 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts as the visiting Yankees blanked San Diego, 3-0. Nova combined with relievers David Robertson and Mariano Rivera to hold the Padres to five hits total, including an 0-for-8 mark with runners in scoring position. On August 9th, the Dominican Republic native limited the Detroit Tigers to one run on eight hits with seven strikeouts over 7.0 innings, but did not figure in the decision as New York needed 10 innings to prevail in a 4-3 victory at Yankee Stadium. Against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 14th, the four-year veteran pitched effectively over 7.1 innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts in an 11-3 Yankees triumph in the Bronx. Ivan became the first Yankee to toss at least 7.0 innings and allow three earned runs-or-less over seven straight starts (dating back to July 5th) since Sabathia did so over eight starts from June 25-August 1, 2011. He is the first right-hander to accomplish the feat since David Cone (also seven starts) in 1998. On August 31st, Nova returned to the mound and hurled his first career shutout, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out five in a 2-0 victory over the A.L. East rival Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Ivan faced just three hitters over the minimum.

Others receiving votes included Jarrod Parker (4-0, 2.23 ERA, 1 CG, 44.1 IP, 10 BB, 34 SO) of the Oakland Athletics; Yu Darvish (3-1, 2.51 ERA, 43.0 IP, 13 BB, 64 SO) and Martin Perez (5-0, 3.06 ERA, 1 CG, 35.1 IP, 11 BB, 26 SO) of the Texas Rangers; Greg Holland (11 G, 8 SV, 11.0 IP, 2 BB, 18 SO) of the Kansas City Royals; Anibal Sanchez (3-0, 2.90 ERA, 40.1 IP, 10 BB, 43 SO) and Max Scherzer (4-0, 2.50 ERA, 39.2 IP, 12 BB, 37 SO) of the Tigers; Mark Buehrle (4-0, 2.70 ERA, 40.0 IP, 10 BB, 30 SO) of the Toronto Blue Jays; and Jarred Cosart (0-1, 2.10 ERA, 30.0 IP, 15 BB, 18 SO) of the Houston Astros.

The American League Pitcher of the Month, Ivan Nova, will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, for his accomplishment.