ARLINGTON (AP) – Josh Hamilton is trying to stop the dips — in his batting average and the chewing tobacco the Texas Rangers slugger has long used during games.

Hamilton, who has been in a monthlong hitting slump, says he is using flavored toothpicks, chewing gum and sunflower seeds in hopes of quitting chewing tobacco for good.

At the plate, Hamilton said Monday he is just trying to get back in the routine of feeling good and not trying to overthink while batting.

Hamilton was 1-for-12 with eight strikeouts in a three-game weekend series against Colorado. Over his previous 31 games, his batting average dropped from a majors-best .404 to .319. He still leads the majors with 64 RBIs, but has only one homer in 20 games.

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