And the Gonzalez streak goes on

If you're keeping track at homeand if you are, that's frankly kind of weirdAdrian Gonzalez has now gone 106 at-bats without a home run. It's an awful stretch. Beyond frustrating. How frustrating? Gonzalez is only five at-bats short of surpassing Albert Pujols' homerless drought from earlier this season. And as we all know, Pujols is far and away the game's worst hitter.

But, Gonzalez is giving The Artist Formerly Known As Albert a run for his money, and so far, has tried just about everything to break out of the slump.

He's tried praying. He's tried getting angry. He's tried calling his shot. He's tried saying, "Screw it! I don't care! Let's just have some fun and see what happens!!"

Nothing has worked.

But with that being said, here's one reason to be optimistic that THIS will be the weekend that Gonzalez finally loses one.

According to Baseball-Reference, there are 38 pitchers against whom Gonzalez has hit more than one career home run. Livan Hernandez and Matt Cain are atop the list, having each given up four. Danny Haren, Jamie Moyer, Aaron Harang, Homer Bailey and Jorge de la Rosa are next with three gopher balls a piece. And then there are 31 guys who have served up two Gonzalez dongs (Ummm). Among the dudes on this list are: Cole Hamelswho will take the mound tonightand Joe Blantonwho will do the same tomorrow.

Hey, it may not be easy to stay optimistic these days, but those numbers count for something. And as for Cliff Lee (who will pitch for Philly on Sunday)? Gonzalez has taken him deep, tooback in June of 2010.