Texas Rangers: Josh Hamilton not flinching over lack of home runs
Before going to the second fixture of the series in Comerica Park, Detroit, Josh Hamilton had a batting average of .316. Though injured in the game against Detroit Tigers, the outfielder from Texas Rangers currently has 13 hits from his last 39 At-Bats.
With 11 games under his belt, the left fielder has an on base percentage of .409 and a slugging percentage of .462.
The record shows a dominant display on the strike zone but his slugging rate explains a different dimension on his performance thus far. The player has yet to smash a home run in Major League Baseball and many fans are catching on to the setback that the
2010 American League’s Most Valuable Player is suffering at the moment.
Nevertheless, he is not flinching:
"I didn't hit many in Spring Training ... just two", Hamilton said. "They come in bunches. I'm not worried about it - drive in runs and score runs. I'd rather get a hit with runners at second and third than a solo home run".
The player may be out of the upcoming games but his eight games hitting streak is still on. He’s been struck out ten times and has availed five walks. It is quite obvious that the captain of the Texas team is getting a lot of strike throws.
“Yeah, some", Hamilton said. "If they throw out of the zone and see me taking out of the zone, they have to throw strikes. But I'm either fouling it off or getting a cheap hit".
However, the player maintains there is no difference in the way he’s been pitched to since Adrian Beltre has moved into the line up to replace Vladimir Guerrero.
"I never really bought into that whole thing", Hamilton said. "Pitchers know what they want to do with you. It doesn't matter who is behind you".
The outfielder further explained how a pitcher tends to throw in a major game. He stated that ball throwers usually carry game plans and they usually tend to stick to these strategies until a hitter can respond with an overpowering surge of determination.
If that becomes the case, they change their approach.
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