Ian Kinsler" width="135" height="150" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-629" />JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — For the second time in 3 weeks, Texas Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler has had a multi-homer game.

Batting leadoff on Saturday (7/16/2011), Kinsler smacked 2 solo HRs in a 5-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. He accomplished the same feat June 29 in the Rangers’ 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros. Saturday’s barrage leaves the 29-year-old Arizona State University product with 15 HRs.

According to a Jewish Baseball News analysis, American League players have recorded 50 multi-homer in non-extra-inning games this year, and Kinsler is one of just 14 who have done so at least twice. Toronto Blue Jays RF Jose Bautista leads the league with three multi-homer games, including a 3-HR performance on May 15.

Kinsler’s 15 HRs are all the more remarkable when you consider that at one point this season he went 30 straight games without a round-tripper.

Though hitting just .255, or 22 points below his career average, Kinsler is among A.L. leaders in several offensive categories. He is ranked 3rd in runs scored (67), 4th in power-speed combination, 6th in walks (57), 8th in extra-base hits (41), and 9th in stolen bases (19).

In fact, a detailed statistical analysis of Texas Rangers players by LoneStarBall.com concluded that Kinsler was the team’s most valuable player during the first half of the 2011 season.
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