The Substitute Effect

AMERICAN LEAGUE
(Week 11 - Award Winners)

The Bronx Bombers' star first baseman Mark Teixeira got injured early in the week, so the Bombers called on their veteran backup Michael Young, who stepped in and did more than his job, he passed the week with flying colors. Late in Young's MLB career, he played wherever his team needed him, the Bombers played him at first.

Young batted 12-for-23 (.522), 2 HR, 8 RBI & 7 runs -- to be named this week's A.L. Player of the Week. He helped the Bronx to a 5-1 record during this stretch as well.

Jeff Samardzija only had one outing, but it was a good enough outing to earn this weeks honors for A.L. Pitcher of the Week -- despite going against another pitcher who won two games, one of those two wins being no hits allowed in 8 innings of work. The Chicago Nine's Samardzija pitched 10 innings in his outing, allowing 6 hits, no ER's (1 run), while striking out 11 batters, walking one.

Samardzija also became the first A.L. pitcher to win the weekly award twice, the N.L.'s David Price was the first pitcher in the entire league to do so.

A.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-Jordan Zimmermann (BUF) - Leaves game with no-hitter in tact after 8 innings; total stats for the week - 2 wins, 15 IP, 9 hits, 4 ER, 6 K's & 3 BB's for 2.40 ERA.
• SP-Johnny Cueto (BOS) - W/L, 16.1 IP (CG), 12 H, 5 ER, 15 K & 3 BB with 2.76 ERA.
• SP-Justin Verlander (CAR) - 3-hit shutout with 10 K's & BB.
• IF-Jeff Keppinger (S.S.) - .455 (10-for-22), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 runs (Grand Slam in 2nd game).
• SP-Zack Greinke (WAS) - No-hitter bid broken up 6.2 innings into his 8 IP, 4 H, 10 K, no run performance against the Panthers -- Jason Bartlett's double broke up bid.
• 3B-Kyle Seager (BRX) - .500 (10-for-20), 5 RBI & 7 runs.
• SP-Mark Buehrle (BRX) - W, 14.2 IP, 14 H, 2 ER (7 runs), 12 K & BB (1.23 ERA for week).
• DH/1B-Nick Swisher (CHI) 8-for-22 (.364), 2 HR, 10 RBI & 5 runs.
• 1B-Miguel Cabrera (BUF) - .375 (9-for-24), 4 HR, 6 RBI, 5 runs, 3 doubles & 2 BB.
• SP-Clay Buchholz (CAR) - 5-hit SHO, 5 K's & BB.
• SP-Mat Latos (FAIR) - L, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 8 K's & BB.
• 2B-Robinson Cano (BRX) - .292 (7-for-24), 2 HR, 6 RBI & 4 runs.
• SS-Ruben Tejada (BOS) - 8-for-19 (.421), 4 RBI & 2 runs.
• 1B-Paul Konerko (WAS) - .409 (9-for-22), 3 runs.
• SP-Doug Fister (S.S.) - W, 8.1 IP, 6 H, 0 ER with 4 K's.
• SP-Chris Capuano (BOS) - ND, 9 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 6 K & 2 BB.
• OF-Carlos Gonzalez (CHI) - .385 (10-for-26), RBI, 7 runs, 3 doubles & 2 steals.
• OF-Rajai Davis (BUF) - .563 (9-for-16), 4 RBI, 3 runs, SB.
• OF-Melky Cabrera (S.S.) - .412 (7-for-17), 2 HR, 4 RBI & 3 runs.
• 2B-Dan Uggla (BOS) - .438 (7-for-16), HR, 2 RBI & 6 runs.
• SP-Madison Bumgarner (FAIR) - ND, 6.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 8 K's & BB.
• OF-Alex Gordon (BOS) - .308 (8-for-26), 4 RBI & 3 runs.

K as in Kershaw

NATIONAL LEAGUE 
(Week 11 - Award Winners)

K as in strikeout, K as in Kershaw. Clayton Kershaw recorded a win & loss for the week, for a combined week of only 5 hits & an earned run allowed, walking four, while striking out 16 batters in 17 innings. In his victory against the Carolina Eagles, Kershaw pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out 6 batters. K is also for Kings, the team that Kershaw plays for. Clayton is this week's N.L. Pitcher of the Week.

Not too many players stood out on the offensive side of things for the National League, except for the Holland Hitchhikers' Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks' average may not be over .300 (.292 for the week, going 7-for-24), but he clobbered 4 home runs in the process (including a double) while knocking in 7 RBI, scoring 5 runs. Middlebrooks is this week's N.L. Player of the Week.

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-Bronson Arroyo (SEA) - One-hit shutout with 7 K's, no walks.
• SP-Cole Hamels (URB) - L, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 11 K's & 2 BB's.
• SP-Anibal Sanchez (POR) - SHO, 10 K's, 6 hits allowed & 4 walks allowed
• SP-Max Scherzer (SEA) - 9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 11 K's & BB (No decision, Seattle won in extras).
• OF-Giancarlo Stanton (T.C.) - .381 (8-for-21), HR, 4 RBI & 4 runs.
• OF-Nate McLouth (URB) 2 games: 6/9 (.667), HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs & 4 steals.
• 3B-Mike Moustakas (HOL) - .400 (6-for-15), HR, 5 RBI & 3 runs.
• C-Alex Avila (SAC) - .278 (5-for-18), 2 HR, 5 RBI & 3 runs.
• 1B-Freddie Freeman (POR) - .333 (6-for-18), HR, 2 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP-Tim Hudson (KING) - L, 12 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 8 K/5 BB's.
• 1B-Brandon Belt (T.C.) - .381 (8-for-21), HR, 3 RBI & 6 runs.
• SP-Dan Straily (HOL) - ND, 7.2 IP, 7 H, 0 ER (2 runs), 9 K's & 3 BB's.
• OF-Josh Willingham (SEA) - .300 (6-for-20), 2 HR, 6 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP-Clayton Richard (SAC) - L, 7.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 7 K's & 2 BB's.
• SP-Phil Hughes (SAC) - L, 7.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 7 K's & 2 BB's.
• SP-Mike Minor (HOL) - ND, 6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 8 K's.
• SP-Hiroki Kuroda (URB) - W, 8 IP, 6 H, ER with 4 K's.
• 3B-Edwin Encarnacion (SAC) - .348 (8-for-23), 2 HR, 3 RBI & 3 runs.
• 3B-Chase Headley (KING) - .304 (7-for-23), HR, 4 RBI & 2 runs.
• 3B-Todd Frazier (POR) - .357 (5-for-14), HR, RBI & 6 runs.

Lead Locomotive

NATIONAL LEAGUE
(Week 10 -Award Winners)

Carlos "Chooch" Ruiz is "The Little Train That Could" this week for the Urbana Locomotives, as he wins this week's A.L. Player of the Week. He powered Urbana with 3 HR's & 5 RBI, batting 9-for-18 (.500), including 3 runs. His teammate David Price is still having an excellent season, posting a 10-2 record with a 2.12 ERA -- but the Locos have slowed down as of late, losing 4 of their last 6 games, and currently are in a six-game skid. The Hannibal Cavemen have moved up the tracks are have been catching steam in the last few weeks.

Urbana still leads the division by 7.5 games, but not by the once comfortable lead at the 36-game mark.

	N.L. East at 36 Games	W	L	GB
1	URBANA LOCOMOTIVES	25	11	0
2	TRAVERSE CITY PANTHERS	14	21	10.5
3	HOLLAND HITCHHIKERS	13	22	11.5
	HANNIBAL CAVEMEN	13	22	11.5

	N.L. East / Currently	W	L	GB
1	URBANA LOCOMOTIVES	36	21	0
2	HANNIBAL CAVEMEN	28	28	7.5
3	HOLLAND HITCHHIKERS	20	36	15.5
4	TRAVERSE CITY PANTHERS	17	39	18.5

Urbana has gone 11-10 since, but no need to panic, it could be worse, they could be the Traverse City Panthers who have lost 18 of 21, who sparked Hannibal's run. We'll have to see how this race plays out.

For the A.L. Pitcher of the Week, there was not really any pitchers that stood out. This week, the one bright spot for the Traverse City Panthers, Matt Harrison gets the nod for the award. Harrison pitched a four-hit shutout that included 8 strikeouts & a walk against the Buffalo Yankees.

He wasn't the only shutout this week, King Road's James McDonald pitched a two-hit shutout, with 5 K's & 3 BB's against the Boston Bravos.

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-Jame McDonald (KING) - SHO W, 2 H, 5 K's & 3 BB's.
• RP-Sean Doolittle (HOL) - 6.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 9 K's & a walk.
• 3B-Adrian Beltre (URB) - 8-for-23 (.348), 2 HR, 6 RBI & 2 runs.
• OF-Andrew McCutchen (SAC) - 11-for-27 (.407), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 runs & 2 steals.
• 3B-Manny Machado (HAN) - 5-for-9 (.556), 2 HR, 3 RBI & 2 runs.
• C-Alex Avila (SAC) - 6-for-20 (.300), 2 HR, 4 RBI & 5 runs.
• 3B-Pedro Alvarez (SAC) - 6-for-13 (.462), 2 HR, 4 RBI & 4 runs.
• SP-Mike Minor (HOL) - ND, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 8 K's & a walk.
• 3B-Mike Moustakas (HOL) - 8-for-18 (.444), HR, 5 RBI & 5 runs.
• SP-David Price (URB) - W, 7.1, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 K's & a walk.
• SP-Derek Holland (POR) - W/L, 13 IP, 12 H, 5 ER (3.46), 8 K's & 5 BB's.
• SS-Erick Aybar (SAC) - 11-for-28 (.393), RBI, 3 runs.
• SP-Miguel Gonzalez (KING) - ND, 8 IP, 4 H, ER, 7 K's & 2 BB's.
• SP-Anibal Sanchez (POR) - W, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 4 K's & BB -- quietly 6-3 with 2.54 ERA.
• SP-Barry Zito (SAC) - W, 8.1 IP, 6 H, ER, 6 K's & 4 BB's -- improves to 6-4, 3.38 ERA.
• SP-Jonathan Niese (POR) - W, 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 K & 2 BB; now 6-4 with 1.82 ERA.
• OF-Ryan Braun (SAC) - 7-for-22 (.318), HR, 5 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP-Lance Lynn (HOL) - W, 7 IP, 6 H, ER, 6 K's & 3 BB's.
• SP-David Phelps (KING) - W, 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 8 K's & no walks.
• SP-Cliff Lee (POR) - L, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 7 K's & 2 BB's.

Rollin' Rolen

AMERICAN LEAGUE
(Week 10 - Award Winners)

Some of the following nominations for American League Player of the Week, would have probably won the award for any other weeks in the past....

• OF/DH-Raul Ibanez (BRX) - The old man went 10-for-26 (.385) with 4 home runs, 7 ribbies, while scoring four times for the Bombers.

• 1B-Albert Pujols (CAR) - Leads Carolina this week to a 6-0 record, while the team outscored their opponents (Traverse City, Holland) 55-16, while allowing only 34 hits. Pujols, batted 10-for-29 (.345), 4 HR, 10 RBI with 8 runs.

• 1B/DH-Paul Konerko (WAS) - 12-for-23 (.522), HR, 5 RBI with 4 runs.

• DH-Adam Dunn (CAR) was one of 4 players this week that had at least 4 HR's during the week -- the only thing Dunn only had a .259 average (7 hits), with 5 RBI & 6 runs -- basically, all coming from his HR production.

• Quite a few hitters that had over 10 hits during the week as well.

So with many players to choose from, this week's A.L. Player of the Week Award goes to the veteran third baseman Scott Rolen, who was playing like Rolen circa late 90's. Scott batted .471 (8-for-17) with... ready for this? 5 HR's, 12 RBI & 5 runs (one of his HR's was a Grand Slam). All pretty remarkable, helping the Chicago Nine to a 5-1 record during this stretch.

This week's A.L. Pitcher of the Week goes to Jered Weaver of the Carolina Eagles. Weaver allowed only two hits, no runs in 8 innings, in their 4-1 victory over Traverse City. Weaver also struck out 12 Panthers, allowing 3 free passes.

A.L. Honorable Mention:

• OF-Matt Holliday (S.S.) - 7-for-18 (.389), HR, 5 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP-Drew Smyly (CHI) - W, 9 IP, 7 H, ER, 11 K's & 2 BB.
• OF-Roger Bernadina (CAR) - 9-for-21 (.429), HR, 11 RBI, 6 runs.
• IF-Jeff Keppinger (S.S.) - 8-for-22 (.364), HR, 7 RBI & 5 runs.
• SP-Kyle Lohse (WAS) - W, 16 IP, 10 H, 3 ER (1.69 ERA), 10 K & 4 BB; improves record to   8-2, with 2.80 ERA.
• SP-Mark Buehrle (BRX) - ND, 10 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 7 K & 3 BB.
• SP-Ryan Vogelsong (FAIR) - W/L, 15 IP, 16 H, 4 ER (2.40 ERA), 10 K & 3 BB; improves record to 7-3, 3.21 ERA.
• SS-Elvis Andrus (FAIR) - 10-for-26 (.385), 5 RBI, 2 runs & a steal.
• SP-Johnny Cueto (BOS) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 5 K & 3 BB.
• C-Carlos Santana (BRX) - 7-for-20 (.350), 3 HR, 3 RBI & 6 runs.
• OF-Rajai Davis (BUF) - 7-for-21 (.333), RBI, 6 runs & 4 SB's (all four steals happened in a single-game against Traverse City).
• SP-Eric Stults (WAS) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K & BB.
• OF-Juan Pierre (CAR) - 10-for-21 (.476), 2 RBI, 4 runs & 3 steals.
• SP-Tommy Milone (S.S.) - W, 7.1 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 K & 2 BB; improves to 6-3, 2.72 ERA.
• 3B-David Wright (S.S.) - 8-for-19 (.421), HR, 2 RBI & 4 runs.
• SP-Jordan Zimmermann (BUF) - W, 8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 6 K & 2 BB.
• SP-R.A. Dickey (BOS) - W, 15 IP, 10 H, 6 ER (3.60 ERA), 15 K & 5 BB.
• SP-Ian Kennedy (BUF) - L (loses 1-0 vs T.C.), 8 IP, 7 H, ER, with 7 K's & 2 BB's (falls to 0-6, with a 7.07 ERA for the season).

Panda-monium!

NATIONAL LEAGUE
(Week 9 - Award Winners)

The Hannibal Cavemen have recently thawed out of their slumber, and are now rolling. The Cavemen have won 12 of their last 13 games.

So it should come as no surprise that they won both of Week 9's Awards. The A.L. Player of the Week Award goes to Pablo Sandoval ("Kung Fu Panda"). Sandoval batted .563 (9-for-16), with 2 HR's, 7 RBI & 6 runs, with 4 BB's.

Gio Gonzalez wins the A.L. Pitcher of the Week Award this week. Gonzalez pitched two complete games, two victories, one shutout -- allowing 9 hits, no ER's (2 runs), and 2 walks, while striking out 21 batters. Pretty solid performance by the Cavemen overall this week.

Now the question remains, can they catch the Urbana Locomotives?

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-David Price (URB) - W, 8 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 5 K/3 BB. Improves to 9-2 with 2.09 ERA.
• SP-Cliff Lee (POR) - W, one-hit SHO, 5 K's, no walks.
• SP-Cole Hamels (URB) - 2 W, 15 IP, 11 H, 4 ER (2.40 ERA), 11 K & 3 BB's -- 6-4, 3.10 ERA.
• SP-Felix Doubront (HAN) - W, 4-hit SHO, 7 K & 3 BB's.
• 3B-Edwin Encarnacion (SAC) - .409 (9-for-22), 3 HR, 8 RBI & 5 runs.
• SP-Neftali Feliz (HOL) - L/ND, 13 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 12 K's & 3 BB's.
• SP-Matt Harrison (T.C.) - W/L, 13.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 16 K/4 BB.
• 3B-Will Middlebrooks (HOL) - .455 (10-for-22), HR, 3 RBI, 3 runs, SB.
• C-Buster Posey (HAN) - .350 (7-for-20), HR, 3 RBI, 4 runs.
• SS-Erick Aybar (SAC) - .360 (9-for-25), HR, 5 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP-Bronson Arroyo (SEA) - SHO W/L, 14 IP, 11 H, 5 ER (3.21), 7 K/5 BB.
• OF-Josh Hamilton (KING) - .318 (7-for-22), 2 HR, 3 RBI & 4 runs.
• 3B-Chase Headley (KING) - .318 (7-for-22), 2 HR, 3 RBI & 3 runs.
• OF-Bryce Harper (HOL) - .316 (6-for-19), 5 RBI, 2 runs & 2 steals.
• SP-Franklin Morales (SEA) - 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 7 K & 3 BB.
• SP-Clayton Kershaw (KING) - 2 L, 14 IP, 9 H, 5 ER (3.21 ERA for week), 15 K & 4 BB's.
• SP-Hiroki Kuroda (URB) - W, 6 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 K/1 BB (8-3 with a 3.00 ERA).
• SP-Marco Estrada (HOL) - W, 7 IP, 5 H, ER (2 runs), 6 K/2 BB.

and we have an A-Rod Sighting! -- Alex Rodriguez (SEA) batted .385 (5-for-13), solo HR, 2 runs.

Gold Rush!

AMERICAN LEAGUE
(Week 9 - Award Winners)

Paul Goldschmidt of the Fairgrove Tigers becomes the first player in either leagues to win the weekly award, Urbana's David Price (for the National League) was the first pitcher to do it. Goldschmidt put together a monster week, a week which the Fairgrove Tigers took all 6 games from their two opponents, (Traverse City & Holland - both neighboring Michigan teams) in interleague action.

Goldschmidt batted .391 (9-for-23) with 2 HR's & 9 RBI, while crossing the plate 7 times, collecting 7 doubles, and drawing 6 free passes. He is this week's A.L. Player of the Week.

The pitching was incredibly close this week, but this week's award for A.L. Pitcher of the Week goes to Shaun Marcum of the Bronx Bombers. Marcum pitched a two-hit shutout against the Portland Microbrewers, with 7 strike outs, as the Bombers won the game, 7-0.

A.L. Honorable Mention: 

• 2B/OF-Ben Zobrist (S.S.) - .375 (9-for-24), 3 HR, 7 RBI & 7 runs.
• SP-Kyle Lohse (WAS) - SHO (7-2, 3.01 ERA), 5 H, plus 7 K's.
• SP-Mat Latos (FAIR) - W, 9 IP, 5 H, ER, 9 K's -- Improves to 5-3 with 2.64 ERA.
• SP-Jeff Samardzija (CHI) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 12 K/3 BB's.
• SP-Kris Medlen (CHI) - W, 7 IP, 0 ER, 7 K/2 BB's -- 6-1 record w/league-leading 1.48 ERA.
• OF-Matt Holliday (S.S.) - .292 (7-for-24), 4 HR's, 6 RBI & 7 runs.
• OF-Ben Revere (WAS) - .360 (9-for-25), 2 RBI, 5 runs & 5 stolen bases.
• OF-David Murphy (BRX) - .409 (9-for-22), HR, 6 RBI, run & SB.
• SP-Adam Wainwright (BRX) - SHO, 7 H & BB allowed, plus 9 K's.
• OF-Jason Heyward (FAIR) - .360 (9-for-25), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 5 runs & 2 SB's.
• SP-Jordan Zimmermann (BUF) - W, 9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 11 K/3 BB -- 2-5 record with 2.59 ERA.
• OF-Andre Ethier (FAIR) - .357 (10-for-28), 6 runs, RBI, SB.
• SP-Edwin Jackson (BOS) - W, 8.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 6 K & 2 BB.
• SP-James Shields (BRX) - W, 9 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 13 K/1 BB.
• OF-Corey Hart (BOS) - .263 (5-for-19), 3 HR, 8 RBI & 4 runs.
• SP-Wandy Rodriguez (BUF) - 13.1 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 11 K's with 4 BB's (Loss & No Decision).
• SP-R.A. Dickey (BOS) - L, 8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER with 7 K's -- falls to 3-6, yet has a 2.90 ERA.
• SP-Kevin Correia (S.S.) - W, 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 1 K.
• SP-Wade Miley (BUF) - W, 8.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER with 4 K's.

A Win & Save for Mad Max

NATIONAL LEAGUE
(Week 8 - Award Winners)

Max Scherzer of the Seattle Rainiers wins this week's A.L. Pitcher of the Week Award, collecting a win & a odd save as well. Scherzer pitched 10 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 ER & 4 walks, while striking out 12 for the week.

This week's A.L. Player of the Week goes to Adrian Beltre of the Urbana Locomotives, Beltre has come close to winning in prior weeks, but finally seals the deal. Beltre batted .409 (9-for-22), 3 HR's, 9 RBI, 3 runs, plus a stolen base.

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-David Price (URB) - SHO + L, 16 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 14 K's & 7 BB's -- 8-2 with a 2.07 ERA.
• OF-Giancarlo Stanton (T.C.) - Batted only 5-for-21, but 4 of those hits were HR's, including 10 RBI & 5 runs for the week.
• SP-Gio Gonzalez (HAN) - W, 11 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 K & 1 BB.
• SP-Yu Darvish (T.C.) - Gets injured in extras, pitching a 10.1 performance, that allowed only 2 hits, no earned runs, with 13 K's & 3 BB's -- T.C. would lose to Gonzalez & Hannibal.
• SP-Michael Fiers (URB) - Wins season debut, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, with 8 K's.
• SP-Cole Hamels (URB) - W, 9 IP, 5 H, ER, with 7 K's & 4 BB's (Improves to 4-4, 3.26 ERA).
• DH/1B-Billy Butler (KING) - .435 (10-for-23), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 runs & 5 doubles.
• SS-Derek Jeter (SEA) - .435 (10-for-23), 2 HR, 2 RBI & 2 runs.
• SP-Clayton Richard (SAC) - L, 16.2 IP, 19 H, 6 ER (3.24 ERA), 15 K & 2 BB.
• SP-Miguel Gonzalez (KING) - 8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 K & 2 BB.
• SP-Jonathan Niese (POR) - L, 13.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 11 K's & 5 BB.
• SP-Clayton Kershaw (KING) - W, 6 IP, 1 H, no ER, 8 K's & 2 BB.
• SP-Cliff Lee (POR) - W, 8.1 IP, 4 H, ER, 8 K, BB.
• SP-Anibal Sanchez (POR) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, ER, 8 K, BB.

Jake the Snake

AMERICAN LEAGUE
(Week 8 - Award Winners)

Just like every week, it can be too close to call, but not too many starters pitched twice -- and this one took advantage of both opportunities, Jake Peavy (South Shore) slithers away this week the A.L. Pitcher of the Week Award with 2 victories in 16 innings of work, 4 ER's allowed (2.25 ERA for the week) with 13 strikeouts & 5 walks allowed. Peavy improves to 6-4 with a 3.05 ERA.

The Fairgrove Tigers' Salvador Perez wins the A.L. Player of the Week with his strong performance of 3 home runs, 7 RBI & 4 runs, while batting .435 (10-for-23), doing his best to keep the Tigers in first place.

A.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP-Tommy Milone (S.S.) - SHO, 3 H & BB allowed, 5 K's -- improves to 5-3, 3.09 ERA.
• SP-Johnny Cueto (BOS) - Loss & ND, 14.1 IP, 8 H, 2 ER's (1.26 ERA) with 8 K's & 4 BB's.
• 2B-Robinson Cano (BRX) - .391 (9-for-23), HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs & SB.
• SS-Starlin Castro (BUF) - .367 (11-for-30), HR, 5 RBI & 10 runs.
• OF-Shane Victorino (BOS) - .304 (7-for-23), HR, 4 RBI, 5 runs & 3 SB's.
• 3B-Kyle Seager (BRX) - .368 (7-for-19), 2 HR, 7 RBI & 6 runs.
• SP-Garrett Richards (CHI) - SHO, 4 hits & walk allowed, with 7 K's -- plus one scoreless relief inning with 1 K); total of 10 scoreless innings.
• SP-Kris Medlen (CHI) - W, 9 IP, 6 H, ER, 9 K's/0 BB's.
• SP-James Shields (BRX) - 8 IP, 3 H, ER, 10 K's.
• OF-Rajai Davis (BUF) - .320 (8-for-25), 6 RBI & 2 euns.
• SP-Josh Johnson (BRX) - 8 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 K's/3 BB's.
• SS-Jose Reyes (CAR) - .370 (10-for-27), 4 RBI, 5 runs & 2 steals.
• OF-B.J. Upton (CAR) - .318 (7-for-22), HR, 5 RBI, 6 runs & 2 SB's.
• 1B-Adrian Gonzalez (BUF) - .467 (14-for-30), HR, 6 RBI & 3 runs.