Keuchel wins third AL Pitcher of the Month Award
Lefty becomes first player in club history to win award three times in single season
HOUSTON, TX - Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel has been named the American League Pitcher of the Month for August.
Keuchel, who was named the AL Pitcher of the Month for April and May, is the first pitcher in club history to win a Pitcher of the Month award three times in a single season. The last Major League Pitcher to do so was right-handed pitcher Jake Peavy, who won NL Pitcher of the Month for the Padres in May, August and September of 2007. The last American League pitcher to do so was left-handed pitcher Johan Santana, who won his awards for the Twins in July, August and September of 2004.
During the month of August, Keuchel went 4-1 with a 1.94 ERA (9ER/41.2IP) in six starts for the Astros. He collected 41 strikeouts in his 41.2 innings pitched, while allowing just a .221 opponent batting average. In the month, Keuchel ranked tied for second in the AL in wins, fourth in innings pitched and fifth in ERA and in strikeouts.
Keuchel's year, which was highlighted by his start for the American League squad in the 2015 All-Star Game, has been phenomenal, as he owns a 16-6 record and a 2.24 ERA (48ER/192.2IP) on the season. He leads all AL pitchers in wins, ranks second in ERA and in innings pitched and ranks fourth in opponent batting average (.213). He's just the third Astros pitcher to win the Pitcher of the Month Award in multiple seasons, as left-handed pitchers Andy Pettitte (July, Sept., 2005) and Randy Johnson (Aug., Sept., 1998) both won the award twice.
This is the fifth time an Astro has won a monthly award this season, as shortstop Carlos Correa won the AL Rookie of the Month Award in June and left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir won the Pitcher of the Month Award in July.
Prior to this year, the 1979 season was the only other year when the Astros took home multiple pitcher of the month awards, as Ken Forsch (April), Joe Niekro (May), Joaquin Andujar (June) and J.R. Richard (September) all received National League Pitcher of the Month honors.