Keuchel named AL Pitcher of the Month
Becomes first Astros pitcher to win award since Wandy Rodriguez in 2009
HOUSTON, TX - Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel has been named the American League Pitcher of the Month for April.
Keuchel is the first Astro to win a Pitcher of the Month award since LHP Wandy Rodriguez was named the N.L. Pitcher of the Month in July of 2009. Last season, the Astros had two players win an A.L. monthly award, as OF George Springer (May) and RHP Collin McHugh (September) each won the A.L. Rookie of the Month award.
Keuchel went 3-0 in his five starts in April, posting a 0.73 ERA (3ER/37IP) and 22 strikeouts while allowing just 27 baserunners (16 hits, 11 walks) in his 37.0 innings. The left-hander led the league in innings pitched, opponents' batting average (.130) and groundball to flyball ratio (3.61) during the month, ranking second in ERA and tied for third in wins.
Keuchel's 0.73 ERA is the lowest ever by an Astros pitcher through his first five starts of a season. The Astros have won each of his last 10 starts dating back to Aug. 24, 2014, which is tied for the franchise record with Collin McHugh (2014-current), Roger Clemens (2004-05), Donnie Wall (1996), Nolan Ryan (1983) and Joe Niekro (1979).
-ASTROS-