Alonso powers way to AL Player of the Week

A's first baseman slugs 5 homers, bats .409 to earn first career honor

May 8th, 2017

OAKLAND -- 's torrid streak at the plate netted the A's first baseman American League Player of the Week honors.
Alonso went 9-for-22 for a .409 average for the period ending Sunday, counting off five home runs and 10 RBIs in six games to claim the award for the first time in his eight-year career.
"It's well-deserved, certainly, and it's not just the week," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He's been doing that the whole year for us, so a nice little feather in his cap. Doesn't mean he's going to stop there, but it's nice to be recognized for that kind of work. Impressive week, impressive numbers."
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Alonso entered Monday with nine home runs, which already tied his career high set in 2012 with the Padres. Last year, he had seven in his first season with the A's, who are seeing a more patient and powered hitter at the plate these days -- the result of an altered approach and mechanical adjustments.

Alonso, 30, prefers not to break down the details of such things and applaud his own doings, instead reiterating his desire to keep working hard and passing along thanks to his teammates.
"Individually, it's pretty cool, but I think it all comes down to continuing to work, helping my guys out, and they're helping me out," Alonso said. "It couldn't have been done without them, obviously, because a lot of this has to do with them. They're the ones grinding out at-bats as well, and I'm doing it for them. They're the ones getting on base, so it means a lot, not only for myself but for everybody here."
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Alonso enjoyed multihit games on four of six occasions last week, homering in consecutive days twice.
"He's doing the same thing daily in his routine as he did in Spring Training and whether he takes an 0-for-4, which doesn't happen often, you can get off that, but he hasn't, and it's really paid dividends for him," said Melvin, who had Alonso in the cleanup spot Monday night against the Angels.
"As long as I'm in the lineup every day and can help my guys," Alonso said, "that's all that matters."