ANAHEIM, Calif. — Josh Hamilton's streak of player of the month awards is now at two.
The Texas Rangers outfielder, who was the American League player of the month in April, followed that up by winning the honors for May.
"It was a tremendous May," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "I would like to see him have the same type of month in June, starting with June 2."
Hamilton struck out in the ninth inning Saturday night with the bases loaded in a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
He didn't miss much of anything in May. He led the majors in RBI (32) and slugging average (.781), and he tied for the major league lead with 12 home runs in the month. Hamilton batted .344 in May. The highlight of the month was his four-homer game May 8 against the Baltimore Orioles in which Hamilton set the AL record for total bases in a game, 18.
Hamilton is the sixth player to win both the April and May monthly award in a league since 1974. Mark McGwire was the last to do it, taking the honors for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998.
It's the fifth time Hamilton has won a monthly award since he came to the Rangers in 2008. It's also the third consecutive month a Texas player has won the award. Adrian Beltre took the honor last September.
