09/06/2011 6:00 PM ET Ricky Romero Named August American League Pitcher Of The Month

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Romero compiled a perfect 5-0 record with an A.L.-leading 2.05 ERA (minimum 27.0 innings pitched), 26 strikeouts, 16 walks and one shutout in 44.0 innings over six starts on his way to earning his first career A.L. Pitcher of the Month Award. The 2011 A.L. All- Star finished tied for first in the A.L. in wins with opponents batting a Major League-low .160 against the left-hander. On August 2nd against the Tampa Bay Rays, Romero allowed just one hit and struck out seven in 8.0 innings as the Blue Jays topped the Rays, 3-1, in St. Petersburg. The gem marked the second such occasion where Ricky held an opponent to one hit over 8.0 innings, last accomplishing the feat against the Chicago White Sox on April 13, 2010 in Toronto. In his August 7th start in Baltimore, the 26-year-old again went 8.0 strong innings, this time holding the Orioles to two runs on four hits as the Jays earned a 7-2 win. Romero recorded five strikeouts and improved to 6-1 with a 2.08 ERA in his last eight starts against Baltimore. The sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft kept the roll going on August 13th, allowing one run on two hits over 7.0 innings as Toronto defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 11-2, at the Rogers Centre. On August 18th against the Oakland Athletics, the East Lost Angeles native spun his second shutout of the season and the third of his three-year career in shutting down the A's, 7-0. Romero scattered three hits and struck out six in the 111-pitch outing, retiring 16 of the final 17 batters of the game to earn a career-best fifth consecutive victory. On the season, Romero is 13-10 with a 2.97 ERA, 157 strikeouts, 74 walks, four complete games and two shutouts in 193.2 innings pitched over 28 starts.

Others receiving recognition in August's voting included Tampa Bay Rays right-hander James Shields (4-1, 2.22 ERA, 48.2 IP, 3 CG, 1 SHO, 46 K, 10 BB); Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander (5-0, 3.12 ERA, 34.2 IP, 40 K, 12 BB) and closer Jose Valverde (12 SV in 14 appearances, 11 K, 6 BB); Kansas City Royals left-hander Bruce Chen (5-1, 3.19 ERA, 36.2 IP, 27 K, 13 BB); Seattle Mariners righthander Felix Hernandez (4-2, 2.84 ERA, 44.1 IP, 3 CG, 51 K, 11 BB); and Angels right-hander Ervin Santana (4-1, 2.57 ERA, 49.0 IP, 2 CG, 30 K, 11 BB).

The American League Pitcher of the Month, Ricky Romero, will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, for his accomplishment.

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