June 5, 2007

ARLINGTON, Texas - Former UT Arlington standout Hunter Pence continues to make a name for himself in his first month in the Major Leagues as the 24-year old was named the National League Rookie of the Month for May, the MLB office announced late Monday evening. It is the second honor for Pence as he was named the NL Co-Player of the Week for the week of May 14-20.

Pence hit .343 with 19 RBIs and 16 extra-base hits and provide one of the only sparks to a team that went just 12-16 during the month. He hit safely in 21 of the 28 games, including 12 multi-hit games. In the first two games of the series against the San Francisco Giants on May 15-16, Pence went 7-for-7 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs. In the opener, he delivered the game-tying home run in the bottom of the eighth inning off Giants closer Armando Benitez and follow it up with a towering solo home run off Noah Lowry in the fourth inning to the give the Astros the 2-1 victory.

"I feel like I'm one of the luckiest men in the world just to be here," Pence said. "For the fans to support me the way they do, it makes me so happy. It's been a dream come true and very exciting. It's been incredible."

Pence's hot start in May has carried over into June as he 8-for-17 with a home run and four RBIs in three games. On Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals, Pence was hitting in the three hole in the lineup and came through with a 4-for-5 day at the plate that included a 440-foot home run to left center to tie the game in the eighth inning. He also made two spectacular catches on Tal's Hill in center field to rob Albert Pujols of extra bases.

In his career, Pence has played in 33 games and is hitting .375 with 11 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 23 RBIs. He is also tied for the team lead with five stolen bases. He has collected at least two hits in 11 of the past 15 games.

Pence will return home later this month as he leads the Astros in Arlington for a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on June 22-24.