FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2010
BOBBY ABREU OF THE ANGELS NAMED BANK OF AMERICA AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Bobby Abreu has been named of the Bank of America Presents the American League Player of the Week for the period ending August 15th. Bank of America, the Official Bank of Major League Baseball, is the presenting sponsor of the American League and National League Player of the Week Awards, which reflect Bank of America’s long-standing tradition of promoting and recognizing higher standards of accomplishment.
Abreu hit safely in each of his six games played last week and posted an A.L.-best .524 (11-for-21) batting average with two home runs and five RBI. The two-time All-Star also led the league with a .615 on-base percentage, tied for first with 11 hits, ranked second with a .952 slugging percentage and tied for second with three doubles. On Monday, August 9th against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium, the Venezuelan native went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and two runs scored while tying his season-high with four RBI in the Angels’ 6-4 victory. On Wednesday, August 11th, Abreu connected for his eighth career walk-off hit and fourth career walk-off home run with a solo shot in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Angels to a 2-1 win and a three-game sweep of the Royals. In the three-game set, the 36-year-old slugger went 7-for-12 (.583) with two home runs, two doubles and five RBI. Abreu, who is currently riding an eight-game hitting streak, is batting .394 (13-for-33) since assuming the leadoff role for the Angels, who have gone 6-3 during that span. This marks the first career A.L. weekly award for Abreu, who has won N.L. honors three times during his career (previous: May 9-15, 2005 with the Phillies).
Other noteworthy performances for the week included Minnesota’s Joe Mauer (.478, 1 HR, 4 RBI); Nelson Cruz (.412, 4 HR, 6 RBI) of the Rangers; Detroit’s Ryan Raburn (.400, 3 HR, 5 RBI); Rays rookie right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 0.69 ERA, 13.0 IP, 12 SO); Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 14.1 IP, 11 SO); and teammates Felix Hernandez (1-1, 0.00 ERA, 14.2 IP, 20 SO) and David Aardsma (3.0 IP, 3 SV, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 SO) of the Mariners.
