Hamilton uses pink bat instead of homer-heavy one

Josh Hamilton is going pink at the plate.

Like most major leaguers on Mother's Day, the Texas Rangers slugger is using a pink bat Sunday night. He struck out swinging in the first inning in the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels.

For Hamilton, that meant not using the bat with which he said he hit eight of his nine home runs the previous six games. That bat was authenticated by Major League Baseball after Tuesday night's game in Baltimore when he became only the 16th major leaguer with a four-homer game.

Hamilton homered twice in the series opener against the Angels. He hit another homer Saturday, when he also struck out three times.