Mariners Nelson Cruz Named A.L. Player of the Week
Cruz hit .500 (12x24) with 7 runs, 6 home runs, 10 RBI and a 1.806 OPS in 6 games
SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Mariners designated hitter/outfielder Nelson Cruz has been named the American League Player of the Week for April 13-19. It is the first Player of the Week honor of the season for Cruz, and the fourth of his career.
Cruz hit .500 (12x24) with 7 runs, 6 home runs, 10 RBI and a 1.806 OPS in 6 games vs. the Dodgers and Rangers. He recorded a hit in each of the 6 games and reached base via hit or walk 15 times during that span.
In six games last week, Cruz paced the Majors with 6 home runs, 10 RBI, a 1.250 slugging percentage and a 1.806 OPS and 30 total bases. The right-handed-hitting slugger also was T2nd in the Majors with 7 runs, and T3rd in the Majors with 12 hits, while his .500 batting average was the 3rd highest among qualifying A.L. hitters. He also ranked third in on-base percentage (.556) and collected hits in every game last week including four multi-hit games.
This is Cruz's fourth career Player of the Week honor, having won the award twice last year with Baltimore (June 2 & Sept. 8, 2014) and once with Texas (May 24, 2010).
On the season, he is hitting .354 (17x48) with 9 runs, 8 home runs, 14 RBI, a .404 on-base percentage, an .854 slugging percentage and a 1.258 OPS in 12 games. He also carries an active 8-game hitting streak that has included all 8 of his home runs this season.