A-Rod, Sabathia, Verlander earn AL monthly honors

Jun 5, 2006, 22:01 GMT

New York, NY (Sports Network) - New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was named the American League Player of the Month for May, while Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia garnered the top pitcher honor and Detroit hurler Justin Verlander was selected as the top rookie.

Rodriguez became the second Yankee to win the award in as many months for the season, following first baseman Jason Giambi in April. In 28 games during May, Rodriguez batted .330 with eight home runs and tied for the league lead with 28 runs batted in.

The nine-time All-Star and reigning AL MVP collected three runs batted in five times during the month and earned his seventh monthly award. He also won it last May.

Sabathia returned from an early stint on the disabled list and posted a record of 5-1 with a 1.20 earned run average and 38 strikeouts in 45 innings during May. The lefty pitched eight innings or more in four consecutive starts, tossing a pair of complete games in back-to-back outings with a May 24 shutout against Minnesota.

It was the first career monthly award for Sabathia, who became the first Tribe pitcher honored since Bartolo Colon in May 2002.

Verlander was nearly as good as Sabathia in May, finishing 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA over 36 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old righty notched 18 strikeouts with six walks during the month, and recorded his first career shutout in an 8-0 triumph over Kansas City on May 22.

The runner-up for Player of the Month was Boston's Mark Loretta, who hit .404 with 16 runs batted in; while Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir (4-1, 1.91) finished second to Sabathia for pitching honors.

Also considered for the month's top rookie were Minnesota's Francisco Liriano, who was 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA; and last month's winner Jonathan Papelbon of the Red Sox. The Boston closer had nine saves and an ERA of 0.71.

© 2006 Sports Network