Pujols is finding his June groove

ANAHEIM -- Throughout his 13 Major League seasons, Albert Pujols has been fond of the month of June, and through 15 June games this season, it appears the Angels slugger is sticking to that trend.

Pujols is a career .329 hitter in June. He hit .326 in the month a season ago and is hitting .333 while slugging .567 this June.

"Albert's been swinging better definitely the last month," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Coming off his third four-hit game of the season, Pujols has had multiple hits in four of the Angels' last five games entering Tuesday. The only game during that stretch in which Pujols didn't have a hit was also the Angels' only loss in those five games.

After a slow start to the season, Pujols has used the first half of June to raise his batting average from .246 to .266, his on base percentage from .318 to .334 and his slugging percentage from .415 to .449.

"He feels good about contributing," Scioscia said. "He takes a lot of pride in what he means to our club. He wants to be that guy that is the foundation of your lineup."

Pujols has been that foundation. In his past five games, he is 12-for-23 with five RBIs.