Cobb nets his first Player of Week Award

In helping to keep the Rays in fine standing in the American League Wild Card race, Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb has been named the league's Player of the Week.

Cobb won both his starts last week, posting a 1.65 ERA, striking out 22 and issuing just three walks in 16 1/3 innings. He led all Major Leaguers in innings pitched last week and was tied for first in wins and strikeouts. Opponents hit .193 against Cobb.

It's Cobb's first career weekly honor, joining teammate Evan Longoria as the Rays' honorees this season.

In his first start of the week, on Monday, Cobb gave up two runs on six hits and struck out 10 in an eight-inning outing against the Rangers. Tampa Bay held off Texas, 6-2, in a critical game for the postseason race, and the victory ensured the Rays of their sixth consecutive winning season. It was Cobb's third career double-digit strikeout game, his first since striking out 13 against the Padres on May 10.

The righty then gave up just one run on five hits while walking two and striking out 12 in a season-high-tying 8 1/3 innings in Saturday's 5-1 win against the Orioles. Cobb carried a shutout into the ninth, improving to 7-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 13 home starts this season. His last loss at Tropicana Field came on Sept. 17, 2012.

Cobb, who missed two months of the season after being struck in the face by a line drive on June 15, is 10-3 with a 2.90 ERA this year.