Rays' Upton named AL player of the month

Friday, July 3, 2009

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B.J. Upton batted .324 in June to garner player of the month honors.

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Tampa Bay Rays' outfielder B.J. Upton has been named American League Player of the Month for June.

In 26 games last month, Upton batted .324 (34-105) with five home runs, 20 runs scored, 22 RBI and an A.L.-best ten doubles.

The 24-year-old leadoff hitter also posted a .562 slugging percentage, a .395 onbase percentage and led the Majors with 14 stolen bases in the month of June.

Upton also compiled six multi-RBI games last month, the first six of his 2009 season, and 10 multi-hit games, which extends his season total to 18. He reached base successfully in 24 of his 26 games played in the month of June.

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Not coincidentally, the Rays have been on a tear of late, going 19-7 in June to improve to 44-36 overall.

The Rays, who begin a series against Texas today, are two games out of the wildcard spot and five games behind AL East leader Boston.

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