GaryMrMets
05-03-2003, 01:58 AM
Yankees' Soriano Earns Monthly Honor
New York Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who led the league in six offensive categories, was named American League player of the month for April.
Soriano, who received the monthly honor for the first time in his career, led the league with nine home runs, 16 multi-hit games, 26 runs scored, 46 hits, 81 total bases and two grand slams. He also put together a career-high 15-game hitting streak from April 13-27.
In 27 games, the Yankees' leadoff hitter batted .371 with six stolen bases, 25 RBI, a .432 on-base percentage and a .653 slugging percentage. Soriano began the season with a grand slam on Opening Day in Toronto and hit his second grand slam on April 21 at Minnesota.
Rockies' Helton Named Player of Month
Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, who reached a career milestone with 1,000 hits, was named the National League player of the month for April.
Helton's 1,000th hit was one of 33 he had in 27 games during the month. He hit .337 and led the league with 27 RBI and 28 runs scored. Helton had a .633 slugging percentage and a .464 on-base mark.
Loaiza Claims Pitcher of Month Award
Chicago White Sox pitcher Esteban Loaiza, who went 5-0 with an American League-best 1.25 ERA, was named American League pitcher of the month for April.
Loaiza pitched at least six innings without giving up more than two runs in each of his five April starts and became the first White Sox pticher since 1994 to win five games in April.
Loaiza allowed just 19 hits and walked five batters in 36.0 innings while striking out 35. He held opponents to a league-best .151 average and his five wins tied New York's Mike Mussina for most in the major leagues. He also tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in an 8-2 win against Kansas City on April 17.
Rockies' Chacon Wins Pitcher of Month
Colorado Rockies starter Shawn Chacon was honored as the National League's pitcher of the month for April.
Chacon, who went 5-11 with a 5.73 ERA last year, nearly matched his win total in the season's first month, going 4-0 with a sparkling 1.04 ERA. He allowed 20 hits and nine walks in 34 2/3 innings while striking out 25. He led the league by holding opposing hitters to a .164 average.
Day, Baldelli Are Rookies of Month
Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli, who set a record for first-year players with 40 hits through April, was named the American League rookie of the month.
Montreal Expos pitcher Zach Day, who compiled a 2-1 record in five starts, was named National League rookie of the month.
Baldelli hit .364 with 13 runs, nine doubles, a homer and 20 RBI in 27 games through April. He leads American League rookies in 13 categories and major league rookies in nine. The 21-year-old center fielder had hitting streaks of 13 and 10 games during the month and is second in the AL with 13 multi-hit games.
Baldelli's 40 hits eclipsed the record Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki set in 2001 and his batting average is the highest by a rookie in the opening month since Kevin Seitzer hit .382 in 1987.
Day had a 2.48 ERA and led all NL rookies with 32 2/3 innings. He allowed 25 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 17.
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press and SportsTicker. The information contained in the AP news and SportsTicker report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press and SportsTicker. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
New York Yankees second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who led the league in six offensive categories, was named American League player of the month for April.
Soriano, who received the monthly honor for the first time in his career, led the league with nine home runs, 16 multi-hit games, 26 runs scored, 46 hits, 81 total bases and two grand slams. He also put together a career-high 15-game hitting streak from April 13-27.
In 27 games, the Yankees' leadoff hitter batted .371 with six stolen bases, 25 RBI, a .432 on-base percentage and a .653 slugging percentage. Soriano began the season with a grand slam on Opening Day in Toronto and hit his second grand slam on April 21 at Minnesota.
Rockies' Helton Named Player of Month
Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, who reached a career milestone with 1,000 hits, was named the National League player of the month for April.
Helton's 1,000th hit was one of 33 he had in 27 games during the month. He hit .337 and led the league with 27 RBI and 28 runs scored. Helton had a .633 slugging percentage and a .464 on-base mark.
Loaiza Claims Pitcher of Month Award
Chicago White Sox pitcher Esteban Loaiza, who went 5-0 with an American League-best 1.25 ERA, was named American League pitcher of the month for April.
Loaiza pitched at least six innings without giving up more than two runs in each of his five April starts and became the first White Sox pticher since 1994 to win five games in April.
Loaiza allowed just 19 hits and walked five batters in 36.0 innings while striking out 35. He held opponents to a league-best .151 average and his five wins tied New York's Mike Mussina for most in the major leagues. He also tied a career high with 11 strikeouts in an 8-2 win against Kansas City on April 17.
Rockies' Chacon Wins Pitcher of Month
Colorado Rockies starter Shawn Chacon was honored as the National League's pitcher of the month for April.
Chacon, who went 5-11 with a 5.73 ERA last year, nearly matched his win total in the season's first month, going 4-0 with a sparkling 1.04 ERA. He allowed 20 hits and nine walks in 34 2/3 innings while striking out 25. He led the league by holding opposing hitters to a .164 average.
Day, Baldelli Are Rookies of Month
Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli, who set a record for first-year players with 40 hits through April, was named the American League rookie of the month.
Montreal Expos pitcher Zach Day, who compiled a 2-1 record in five starts, was named National League rookie of the month.
Baldelli hit .364 with 13 runs, nine doubles, a homer and 20 RBI in 27 games through April. He leads American League rookies in 13 categories and major league rookies in nine. The 21-year-old center fielder had hitting streaks of 13 and 10 games during the month and is second in the AL with 13 multi-hit games.
Baldelli's 40 hits eclipsed the record Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki set in 2001 and his batting average is the highest by a rookie in the opening month since Kevin Seitzer hit .382 in 1987.
Day had a 2.48 ERA and led all NL rookies with 32 2/3 innings. He allowed 25 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 17.
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press and SportsTicker. The information contained in the AP news and SportsTicker report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press and SportsTicker. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.