Josh Hamilton Drives in Three Runs, Angels Retake A.L. West Lead

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton has been having an un-Hamilton type of season so far, but he came through with a homer and three RBIs in L.A.’s 9-4 win over Oakland on August 24th at the Oakland Coliseum. The Angels and Athletics, the top two teams in the A.L. West, battled it out for first place in a three game set over the weekend, and although Oakland (76-53) won the first two, the Angels (77-52) won the game on Sunday to retain first place. The teams have the two best records in baseball, though the loss was Oakland’s seventh in their last 10 games, while the Angels have won seven of 10.

Hamilton has been bothered by injuries and slumps at the plate, even requesting to be benched for a couple of games to see if that would help him get back on track. If his bat is finally coming around, it will be a huge boost for the Angels in their dogfight with the A’s.

The Angels could also use a boost from Albert Pujols. Though Pujols’ numbers aren’t that bad for an average first baseman — 23 Homers, 78 RBIs, .274 batting average — he’s hitting well below his lifetime average of .318, and he hasn’t been the run producer he was when he was with the Cardinals. We’re sure this isn’t what L.A. had in mind when the club signed him to a 10-year $240 million contact in 2012.

This could still turn out to be a three team race. The Seattle Mariners have also won seven of 10, and are six games back with a record of 71-58.