"Throughout his career, Ryan Ludwick has always hit for a higher average with runners in scoring position than he has with nothing on the line.

His career RISP average is .308. His career batting average is .265.

"I can't explain why that is," Ludwick said Saturday afternoon. "But I've always thrived in pressure situations. I've always driven in runs. I know I like being in those situations."

But at the start of this season, Ludwick's RISP mark lagged even behind his sub-Mendoza-line batting average. On May 10, Ludwick was hitting .181 overall and .129 with runners in scoring position.

Since May 11, Ludwick has been one of the hottest hitters in the major leagues.

He has hit safely in 18 of his past 22 games, going 31-for-83 with four homers and 22 RBI. His .373 batting average during the surge is the fourth-highest in the major leagues over the span.

His average with runners in scoring position since May 11?"