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.