Nori Aoki has had 11 hits in last 12 at-bats. That’s pretty unbelievable but it happened. The 32-year-old right fielder set the Kansas City Royals record for most hits in a three-game series.
He surpassed Willie Wilson (1980) and Royals’ legendary third baseman George Brett (1982) when he got his 11th hit of the Royals series against the Chicago White Sox.
Not only that, Aoki hit it off of White Sox ace and American League Cy Young candidate Chris Sale.
Aoki had back to back four-hit games Monday and Tuesday. He added three more Wednesday against the lefty Sale.
His first hit in Wednesday’s game was a double off of Sale, it was one of just two extra-base hits that Sale has allowed to left-handed batters during the entire season.
That’s an incredible feat for both players. It’s a testament to what Aoki accomplished this week and certainly one of the many reasons Sale should finish in the top five in the voting for the A.L. Cy Young Award.
In these last three games between the White Sox and the Royals Aoki improved his slash line from .265/.333/.333 to .282/.349/.352, according to MLB.com’s Jackson Alexander.
Aoki who bats second in the Royals lineup, should have a chance to add to his record as the Royals are currently leading the White Sox by a score of 5-1 in the top of the seventh. He is perfect on the day having gone 3-3 with a walk.
Stay with Call to the Pen for updates on Aoki and his record setting day.