Nelson Cruz named American League Player of the Month for April

Seattle Mariners designated hitter/outfielder Nelson Cruz has been named the American League Player of the Month for April.

This is Cruz's first Player of the Month Award and he becomes the first Mariners position player to earn a monthly award since Ichiro in August 2004. In 22 games in April Cruz hit .322 (28x87) with 10 home runs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 22 RBI and slugged .724. Amongst American League leaders he ranked 1st in home runs (tied), slugging percentage and extra-base hits (14), 2nd in OPS (1.096) and T7th in hits.

His 10 home runs in April were 3rd-most in club history (trails: Ken Griffey Jr. - 13 in '97, 11 in '98) and his 10 home runs were most in any April in his career (had 7 in '11 and '10) and 2nd-most in a single month (13 in May, 2014). He hit a home run in 5 consecutive games (6 total) April 11-15, which was tied for 2nd in team history behind Ken Griffey Jr., 8; and tied with Jay Buhner (2x), Richie Zisk & Alex Rodriguez.

All 10 of his home runs in April came in his final 18 games, including two multi-home run games. He drove in a run in 12 of his final 18 games in April and hit safely in 16 of 22 games overall.

Cruz was previously named American League Player of the Week (April 13-19) this season when he led the Majors with 6 home runs, 10 RBI, a 1.250 slugging percentage and a 1.806 OPS and 30 total bases.

On the season, he is hitting .343 (34x99) with 17 runs, 13 home runs, 25 RBI, a .387 on-base percentage, a .788 slugging percentage and a 1.175 OPS in 25 games.