MLB hitters get back on track after April struggles

Hits exceeded strikeouts in May after a historic number of whiffs in April, marking a return to form.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there were 7,033 hits and 6,971 strikeouts in May.

Strikeouts topped hits in a full month for the first time in April, when then there were 6,656 strikeouts and 6,360 hits. The previous low differential was in April 2017, when there were 138 more hits than strikeouts.

Strikeouts per game dropped to 16.75 in May from 17.5 in April, a record for a full calendar month. Strikeouts have set a record for 10 consecutive seasons, and this year’s rate projects to 41,633. That would shatter last year’s mark of 40,104; the total was 32,884 in 2008.

Arizona batters have 131 more strikeouts than hits this season while Texas is at 119 and San Diego at 117. Boston has the best differential, with 97 more strikeouts than hits, followed BOSOX BOOT RAMIREZ >> The Red Sox released Hanley Ramirez, a week after designating him for assignment. The team is responsible for the $15.25 million remaining on his contract, but the move avoids Ramirez triggering a $22 million salary for 2019. KERSHAW BACK ON DL >> Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has returned to the DL, this time with a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award has spent time on the DL in each of the past two seasons with a back injury.