Leading first place teams, Torres and Matson earn awards for July

Milwaukee Milkmen infielder Bryan Torres and Kansas City Monarchs starter Zach Matson won the American Association’s Rawling batter and pitcher of the month for the month of July, the league announced Monday.

The reigning batting champion in Torres helped lead the Milkmen to a 16-10 month of July, shooting them 5.5 games up in first place in the east division.

Torres hit .406 this month (43-for-106) including six doubles, eight home runs, 30 RBI and 14 walks. The all-star did not have a home run on the season coming into July.

Torres’ great month and great overall season has him back atop the league in batting average (.360), total hits (95) and stolen bases (47). He also leads the Milkmen with his 52 RBI this season.

On the pitching side, Matson had as solid of a month a starter could ask for, going a perfect 3-0 in five starts with a 2.48 ERA across 29 innings pitched.

The left-hander struck out 32 batters in those 29 innings, allowing just 21 hits and 10 walks during the month. His last start of the month was one of his best, going six shutout innings on the road in Sioux City on Sunday to lead the Monarchs to an important 4-0 win.

The Garden City, MO native has shot himself up the league leaderboard with his strong July, now sitting in 7th in the league with his 3.59 ERA on the season.

Rawlings is the official baseball of the American Association.