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Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers and A.J. Pollock of the Arizona Diamondbacks named the National League Co-Players of the Week

Outfielders Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers and A.J. Pollock of the Arizona Diamondbacks have been named National League Co-Players of the Week for the period ending May 18th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Puig posted a .348 batting average (8-for-23) in six contests last week while collecting a league-leading 10 RBI and tying for the league lead with three home runs. The 23-year-old also tied for the league lead in total bases (20) and ranked second in slugging percentage (.870). Puig ranked seventh among qualifying N.L. batters in on-base percentage (.464), which was boosted by his four walks. The Cienfuegos, Cuba native also ranked among league leaders in runs scored (T-7th, 5), doubles (T-4th, 3) and hits (T-9th, 8). Puig was held hitless for the first time in 17 contests in Sunday's 5-3 loss at Arizona. The hitless day snapped a career-best 16-game hitting streak (April 30th-May 17th). Puig hit .409 (27-for-66) with six home runs and 21 RBI in that span. On Saturday, Puig went 1-for-5, clubbing his ninth home run of the season in the loss. The two-run shot gave him 35 RBI for the season, which is currently tied for second in the Senior Circuit. It marked Puig's eighth consecutive game with at least one extra-base hit and one RBI, eclipsing Pedro Guerrero's Club record of seven such outings, July 31-August 9, 1985. The sophomore slugger collected three hits with a home run, a double and two RBI in Friday's series-opener between the two Clubs, helping Los Angeles earn a 7-0 victory at Chase Field. This is his second career weekly award, having won previously for the week of June 3-9, 2013.

In six games last week, Pollock was the N.L. leader in batting, posting a .500 (11-for-22) mark. The 24 year-old's .909 slugging percentage also led the N.L. while his 20 total bases were tied for first. He also ranked among league leaders in hits (T-2nd) and on-base percentage (2nd-.522 OBP). On Sunday, Pollock notched his third multi-hit outing of the week with a 3-for-4 effort as the D-backs took the rubber-match of a three-game set with the Dodgers at Chase Field. The 17th overall selection in the 2009 Draft set a career high with four hits on Saturday, going 4-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored in an 18-7 victory. Pollock clubbed his fifth home run of the season in the eighth inning of the contest, going deep in back-to-back at bats with Eric Chavez. The Notre Dame product also collected his teamleading sixth stolen base of the season on the day. This is his first career weekly award.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Starlin Castro (.407, 4 R, 11 H, 4 2B, HR, 6 RBI, .741 SLG, .407 OBP) of the Chicago Cubs; Washington's Ian Desmond (.348, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, .826 SLG); Yadier Molina (.476, 10 H, 4 RBI, .480 OBP) of the St. Louis Cardinals; Miami's Giancarlo Stanton (.417, 10 H, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, .708 SLG, .481 OBP); and Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto (1-0, 0.00 ERA, CG, SHO, 8 SO, 9.0 IP).

In recognition of their National League Player of the Week Award, A.J. Pollock and Yasiel Puig will each be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.

Read More: Los Angeles Dodgers