Colorado’s DJ LeMahieu won his first National League batting title Sunday, sitting out his second straight game and fourth out of five to protect his lead over Washington’s Daniel Murphy.
LeMahieu hit a major league-leading .348 and finished one point ahead of Murphy with the NL’s highest average since Atlanta’s Chipper Jones batted .364 in 2008. LeMahieu’s season ended after three innings and two hitless at-bats Friday.
“It’s a relief. It’s pretty cool,” LeMahieu said. “Hasn’t quite sunk in yet.”
Murphy pinch hit Sunday in his first appearance since Sept. 20 and flied out.
“It was unique in that the other guy he was battling with wasn’t playing,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.