Triple Crown Watch

Josh Hamilton returned to the Rangers lineup on Tuesday and took back the American League home run lead from Miguel Cabrera. Several other players are gaining on him in that category, as well.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Sep 25, 2012 at 1:03 am ET • 1 min read

Josh Hamilton homered in his return, taking the lead over Miguel Cabrera. (AP/Getty Images)

Josh Hamilton returned to the lineup on Tuesday and promptly took back the home run lead over Miguel Cabrera with a fifth-inning homer off of Oakland's Dan Strally, while Miguel Cabrera was 1 for 4 in the Tigers victory over the Royals.

Tuesday night, Cabrera faces Kansas City's Bruce Chen, a pitcher he's faced 33 times and put up a .423/.545/.885 line against with three home runs.

Here's the latest look at Cabrera's Triple Crown chances

Batting Average

1. Cabreara .331
2. Mike Trout .323
3. Joe Mauer .322
3. Derek Jeter .322

Trout and the Angels were off on Monday, but he's back in action Tuesday night against Seattle. He's never faced Seattle right-hander Erasmo Ramirez.

Home runs

1. Hamilton 43
2. Cabrera 42
3. Adam Dunn 41
3. Edwin Encarnacion 41
5. Curtis Granderson 40

Hamilton not only took the lead on Tuesday, Dunn hit two, Encarancion and Granderson each homered to make this a crowded race.

RBI

1. Cabrera 133
2. Hamilton 124

It will take quite the run by Hamilton to catch Cabrera in this category, but if anyone's capable of it, it's Hamilton.

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