NewsRangers hitting homers in record amounts
Texas batters have belted 38 through 18 games
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
04/27/09 7:00 PM ET
BALTIMORE -- The home runs in Rangers games are coming in record amounts. The Rangers have hit 39 home runs in their first 19 games, going into Monday's affair with the Baltimore Orioles, and they have given up 31 to the opposition. The 69 home runs combined are the most by a team in their first 18 games in Major League history. The Reds had 66 in their first 18 games in 2006. "We're getting the ball up on our side and the opposition is getting it up to us," manager Ron Washington said. "When they do that, we're not missing it." The Rangers' 38 home runs are already their third highest in the month of April with four games left to play. They hit 47 in 26 games in 2003 and 41 in 25 games in 2001. The Rangers will play 22 games this month. The Rangers also have a .517 slugging percentage so far in April. That would be the sixth highest in April in Major League history. The Cardinals had a .568 slugging percentage in April 2000. Despite that, the Rangers are seventh in the league in batting average and their .329 on-base percentage is the fifth lowest. They have the most strikeouts of any American League team and the second-fewest walks. "When we get our offense consistent, that all-or-nothing approach will go away," Washington said. "Right now we've got some guys who are still trying to find their way. They've also got big swings. Once they get some at-bats and get comfortable, that will go away." Chris Davis went into Monday's game leading the AL with 30 strikeouts. He was eight ahead of anybody else. Jarrod Saltalamacchia was tied for fifth with 20.T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
