Hot-hitting Moss takes AL weekly award

OAKLAND -- Brandon Moss does not wear a watch. His cellphone is his preferred timepiece. It allows him to surf the Web and play games -- a concession well worth digging into his pocket rather than simply glancing at his wrist.

But after earning the honor of being named American League Player of the Week for the second time in his career, he has two commemorative watches and nothing to do with them.

"Who wears a watch anymore?" Moss joked before Tuesday night's contest between the A's and Rangers. "Everybody checks their phone."

It's a good problem to have for the first baseman, who led all Major League hitters in home runs (four), RBIs (11), slugging percentage (.955) and total bases (21), while also tying for second in runs scored (eight) during the week that ended Sunday.

Moss hit .364, helping the A's to a 6-1 record.

"It's nice to be recognized for a good week, and it came at a good week for us as a team," Moss said. "But you know the old saying, 'That was last week, and this is this week.' Baseball is definitely a game of 'What have you done for me lately?'"

Moss' biggest game of the week was against the Tigers on Wednesday, when he went 4-for-5 with two homers, a double and a career-high six RBIs. The two homers and four hits also matched career highs.

Along with helping propel the A's to a first-place tie atop the AL West with the Rangers entering Tuesday, Moss has also provided flexibility for manager Bob Melvin by playing in right field with regular starter Josh Reddick on the 15-day disabled list with an injured right wrist.

While Moss said he feels a bit sluggish while patrolling the outfield, Melvin commended his transition, citing a particular play against the Tigers when he battled the sun on a fly ball in his first game of the switch.

"He's a talented athlete who gives us some options, obviously," Melvin said, "and with the Reddick situation it was easy to just put him out in right field because he hasn't missed a beat, as far as how he plays the outfield."

Moss downplayed the switch and said he neither posses the speed nor the arm of Reddick, who, just a few lockers down, overheard his comment and yelled back in agreement.

He then complained that Moss had stolen not only his position, but his parking spot as well.

"I have taken your parking space!" Moss beamed. "I did that on purpose, too."