Matt Kemp’s June Slump Blamed on Girlfriend Rihanna

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Jul 1, 2010

Rihanna's 2010 summer tour has kicked in just in time.

As the singer prepares for her 25-city tour that starts in Seattle, Wash., on Friday night, her boyfriend, Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp, is attempting to make a run for the National League All-Star team. As of Wednesday morning, his chances for a final surge of votes weren't looking so good, and the critics were blaming his hard-rocking girlfriend.

Kemp was shown the bench as a healthy scratch for three-consecutive games this week, due to unsatisfactory performances from the plate and the field. As reported by ESPN.com, Kemp finally went into a meeting with Dodgers' general manager Joe Torre after his third missed start and the two had a powwow regarding his dismal play in June. The center fielder batted .196 throughout the month, and hit just one home run in 22 games played. This coming from a guy who was rated one of the top players in the National League to start the season.

However, can we really blame Rihanna for this slump? Sources claim the couple has spent a lot more time together since Rihanna returned from her European tour on June 5, around the time when Kemp's slump began. Critics were even comparing Kemp's slump to that of Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo when then-girlfriend Jessica Simpson attended his games. We'll give an example just for kicks. When Rihanna visited Fenway to watch her man take on the Red Sox on June 19, Kemp went 0-for-4 from the plate. Case and point?

If Rihanna is really affecting her slugger's game, he's lucky that she's starting her summer tour tomorrow, so he can get his head back in the game. One indication that he might be back on track is the fact that he went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the Dodgers' 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday evening, hitting his his first home run since June 1.

We'll have to keep tabs on Kemp's progress throughout July and August, while Rihanna is on tour throughout the United States. Who knows? Maybe he'll hit a hot streak.

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