Perez named AL Rookie of Month for August

OAKLAND -- Rangers pitcher Martin Perez has been named the American League Rookie of the Month for August. It's the second time a Texas pitcher has won the award as Justin Grimm was selected in April.

Perez was 5-0 with a 3.06 ERA in five starts. In 35 1/3 innings, he struck out 26 and walked 11 while opponents batted .223. He was the first Rangers rookie pitcher to win five games in a single month.

He followed that up by beating the Athletics on Tuesday, giving him six wins in six straight starts. It's the most wins in consecutive starts by a rookie since Ivan Nova won eight straight for the Yankees in 2011.

"He has been a breath of fresh air," manager Ron Washington said. "All the talk about the kid before he came to the big leagues and to see all the things that were said come alive before your eyes is special. He's growing up. He's maturing. It's got to be big for any organization. He's growing up before our eyes, so just enjoy it."

Perez will receive a specially designed and engraved trophy for his accomplishment.