NEW YORK, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who hit .345 in July, was selected the American League player of the month, the league said Thursday.
Matsui had 39 hits and 28 runs batted in July. He led the league with a .735 slugging percentage, 13 home runs and 31 runs scored. Matsui had hits in 25 of his 28 July games, including a string of 18 consecutive games with at least one hit.
Matsui is the second consecutive Yankee to win the A.L. player of the month award. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez won in June.
Baltimore's Erik Bedard was named the A.L. pitcher of the month for July. He went 5-0 over six starts with a 2.21 earned run average and 52 strikeouts. He had a two-hit, 15-strikeout shutout win over Texas on July 7.
Kansas City first baseman Billy Butler, who had a slugging percentage of .527 and scored 13 runs in July, was the league's rookie of the month.
