Bowker Named Tribe's July Player of the Month
Published on August 5, 2011 under International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release
INDIANAPOLIS -- Outfielder John Bowker has been named the Indianapolis Indians' Player of the Month for July. He will accept the award - a custom-made watch courtesy of Windsor Jewelry - before Saturday night's home contest against the Toledo Mud Hens.
Bowker in 27 contests in the month of July accumulated a team-leading .316 average, while adding 17 runs, eight doubles, seven homers and 20 RBI. The homers placed the left-handed slugger tied for second in the International League, while he also ranked in a tie for fourth in extra-base hits (15), tied for fifth in hits (36), seventh in slugging percentage (.570) and eighth in RBI. The slugger collected over half of his 13 home runs in the month of July.
"The teams he faces try not to let him beat them", said Indians manager Dean Treanor. "He still steps up and has a month like that, it says a lot about him."
The California native becomes the sixth Indians player to have been named the Tribe's Player of the Month twice, joining former players Steve Pearce (August 2007 & April 2010), Andrew McCutchen (May 2008 & May 2009), Brian Bixler (June 2007 & July 2009), Bryan Bullington (July 2005 & April 2007) and Yurendell de Caster (June 2005 & July 2006). Bowker had previously been tabbed the Indians' Player of the Month for August of 2010, after hitting .319 with seven doubles, four homers and ten RBI in 25 games for the Tribe.
Since arriving to Indianapolis this year on May 8, the 28-year-old has compiled a .302 batting average, while leading the club with 13 longballs and 61 RBI. The 61 runs driven in since May 8 rank Bowker third in the International League from that point, while his 94 hits in that time frame places the outfielder fifth in the league. Also of note, the Indians have recorded a 50-23 mark since Bowker's arrival on May 8.
"I think what it is, is that he creates that presence in the middle of the lineup," said Treanor. "That's big for us- it changes the whole complexion of our lineup."
The Indians continue their four-game homestand tonight with the Toledo Mud Hens, with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Tickets for tonight's and all other remaining home games can be purchased by going online at www.IndyIndians.com, visiting the Victory Field Box Office at 501 West Maryland Street or calling 317-269-2282.
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