Barring extreme weather that will leave tonight’s (5/14/08) game unfinished before the sixth inning, Lance Berkman would have just extended his hitting streak to 13 games dating back to April 30. He did so with a two-run homer off Patrick Misch in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants. That leaves him with six HRs during the current streak, in addition to his seven doubles, 16 RBIs, eight walks and only four strike-outs.
[photo via Ben Margot (AP)]
In Ichiro-like fashion, Berkman has increased his batting average from .297 to .392, his on-base percentage from .387 to .470, his slugging percentage from .644 to .790, and his OPS from 1.030 to 1.260 (using 5/13/08 numbers)!
I know Atlanta Braves 3B Chipper Jones and Philadelphia Phillies 2B Chase Utley have been leading the early National League MVP talk, but this recent hitting display probably vaulted Berkman into that talk as well.