Following an impressive stretch in the batter's box, Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez was named American League Player of the Week on Monday.
Ramirez homered from both sides of the plate in the first game of a doubleheader against the Twins on Saturday. He helped the Indians sweep the twin bill, going 5-for-10 with two homers and two doubles on the day.
There were other notable offensive performances for Ramirez during the week. He doubled twice and had three hits in Friday's win over Minnesota, then did the same in Sunday's game to help the Indians complete the series sweep.
• All-time Player of the Week Award winners
Ramirez has recorded three hits in four of his last five games, and multiple hits in five of his last six. The recent offensive onslaught began against the Dodgers on Wednesday, when Ramirez homered and doubled. He has doubled in six straight games.
"I'm doing what I've always done," Ramirez said through team translator Anna Bolton. "I'm staying focused. Thank God I've been getting good pitches and getting good swings on them, and I've had success."
In seven games last week, Ramirez hit .516 (16-for-31) with three home runs, eight doubles, seven RBIs and one stolen base. Ramirez also walked once and was hit by a pitch to go along with those 16 hits, reaching base at a .545 clip and slugging 1.065.
In the field, Ramirez played his usual solid defense at third base and made some highlight plays on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.