Puig's debut month second only to DiMaggio
Dodgers phenom sets LA rookie mark for hits in a month with 44
LOS ANGELES -- The hits just keep on coming for Yasiel Puig.
With a 4-for-5 effort in the Dodgers' 6-1 victory over the Phillies on Sunday, the rookie outfielder finished June with 44 hits, second in history in the first month of a career to Joe DiMaggio's 48 in May 1936.
Puig's first-career four-hit game also allowed him to break Steve Sax's Los Angeles Dodgers rookie record for hits in any month, set in August 1983. Pete Coscarart has the franchise rookie record, with 48 hits in September 1939 for Brooklyn. Willie Davis set the L.A.-era record with 50 hits in August 1969 during his 10th big league season.
"I'm really excited to be put on that list," Puig said through an interpreter. "But I'm more excited that the team is winning."
The Dodgers are 8-2 in their past 10 games and have climbed within four games of the D-backs in the National League West. A week ago, the Dodgers were 9 1/2 games off the pace in the division. They have an opportunity to gain even more ground before the All-Star break, as they close the first half with 13 straight games against division opponents.
The Dodgers called Puig up from the Minor Leagues on June 3, and he responded with a multihit game against the Padres. He's hit safely in 22 of his first 26 games in the big leagues. Puig has 14 multihit performances, including seven games with at least three hits.
Puig has hit for average and power since joining the Dodgers, with seven homers, four doubles, one triple and 16 RBIs. He's hitting .436 with a .713 slugging percentage, while reaching base at a .467 clip. Puig has scored 19 runs and stolen four bases.
"It's pretty amazing," said Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis. "It's pretty special to be a part of. It just doesn't seem like he's slowing down. He's definitely changed the culture in this clubhouse."