When things looked bleak for the Yomiuri Giants earlier this season, Alex Ramirez almost single-handedly kept the Kyojin afloat.

Now that third baseman Michihiro Ogasawara is backing him up, the Giants might at least make the race for the Central League pennant interesting.

Ogasawara entered July with 12 home runs, a .253 batting average and a bum leg. The leg may not be much better but "Guts" Ogasawara has battled through the injury to hit eight homers this month and raise his average to .280.