Justin Smoak named American League Player of the Week

Seattle Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak has been named the American League Player of the Week for May 28-June 3.

Smoak batted .348 (8-for-23) with a double, 3 home runs, 8 RBI, 6 walks and 7 runs scored in 6 games last week vs. the Texas Rangers (2-1) and Chicago White Sox (1-2). The 25-year-old tied for the AL lead in homers and RBI, tied for 2nd in walks, was 3rd in slugging percentage (.783), 6th in on-base percentage (.483) and tied for 7th in total bases (18). Entering play tonight vs. the Angels, Smoak leads the Mariners with 10 home runs and is 2nd on the club with 29 RBI.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Smoak's teammates Michael Saunders (.444, 12 H, 3 2B) and Kyle Seager (.375, 4 2B, 5 RBI); New York Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson (.286, 3 HR, 8 RBI) and starter Phil Hughes (CG vs. Detroit on June 3rd); Cleveland Indians infielder Jason Kipnis (.320, 6 RBI, 5 SB); and White Sox starter Chris Sale (2-0, 1.65 ERA, 4 BB, 23 K, CG vs. Seattle on June 3rd).

In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Smoak will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

This is Justin's first career weekly honor, and he is the first Mariner to garner the award since Ichiro Suzuki for the week ending Sept. 26, 2010.