Category: Beisbòl

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Yoenis Cespedes named the American League Player of the Week

Oakland Athletics center fielder Yoenis Cespedes has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending July 15th. This is Yoenis’ first career weekly honor and the second for an Athletic in a month, along with teammate Brandon Moss, who captured A.L. Player of the Week on June 18th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network. In a shortened week due to the All-Star break, the rookie Cespedes batted .571 (8-for-14) with a double, two home runs, six RBI and five runs scored in a three-game weekend sweep of the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The 26-year-old finished first in the A.L. in runs scored and total bases (15), was tied for first in hits, was third in batting average, was tied for third in RBI and was tied for fourth in on-base percentage (.571).

In the Friday night opener, Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and two runs scored as Oakland doubled up Minnesota for a 6-3 victory. He scored both of his runs courtesy of the bat of Jonny Gomes, touching home on a fourth-inning grand slam and later on a ninth-inning single to help give the A’s their third consecutive second-half-opening victory dating back to 2010. On Saturday, Cespedes and the Athletics put on a power display in the spacious Target Field with a season-high-tying four homers as the A’s rolled to a 9-3 win. Along with his third-inning blast, the Cuban native doubled, had three RBI and scored a pair of runs in the effort. On Sunday, the right-handed-hitting Cespedes collected a career-best four hits in five at-bats, including a home run and three RBI as the Athletics won, 9-4. The A’s launched four homers for the second straight night, marking the first time they have accomplished the feat since September 7-8, 2001 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Oakland finished with nine homers and 24 runs scored in the three-game set. Sunday’s win marked their first overall sweep of the Twins since 2002 and their first sweep in Minneapolis since the 2000 season. Oakland, winners of nine of their last 10 games, is within a half-game of the A.L. Wild Card lead, trailing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Baltimore Orioles. Among A.L. rookies, Cespedes ranks first in RBI (42), is tied for second in doubles (12) and home runs (11), is third in hits (60) and walks (16), is fourth in games played (57) and at-bats (212) and is tied for fourth in runs scored (24).

Other noteworthy performances last week included Gomes (.625, 2 HR, 7 RBI); Cleveland’s Michael Brantley (.727, 8 H, 1.273 SLG); Minnesota’s Josh Willingham (.455, 3 HR, 5 RBI); Kansas City’s Alcides Escobar (.462, 2 HR, 6 RBI); Seattle’s Felix Hernandez (1-0, 12 SO and 0 BB in shutout vs. Texas on July 14th); and Matt Harrison (1-0 and 3 SO in shutout vs. Seattle on July 15th) of the Rangers.

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

 

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Andrew McCutchen named National League Player of the Week

Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending July 15th. This is the second consecutive weekly honor for the 25-year-old, who won his first career weekly award last week after hitting .517 (15-for-29) with three homers and nine RBI. It marks the first time that a Bucs player has won weekly honors twice in the same season since Jason Bay, who also won in consecutive weeks, for the weeks ending May 21st and May 28th in 2006. McCutchen becomes the second N.L. player this season to capture the award in consecutive weeks, joining Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers (4/9 and 4/16). The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

In three games last week, McCutchen hit .583 (7-for-12) while leading the Majors with a 1.333 slugging percentage, 16 total bases and tying for the Major League-lead with three home runs. The two-time All-Star also ranked first in the N.L. in on-base percentage (.643), second in hits and was tied for second with four RBI while ranking third in hitting. McCutchen, who was the leading hitter in the Majors during the first half, clubbed a homer in each of his three games after returning from the All-Star break in Kansas City, where he represented the Pirates (along with teammate Joel Hanrahan) at the 2012 Midsummer Classic. On Sunday, McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in a losing effort as the Pirates dropped the rubber match of their threegame series at Milwaukee, 4-1. In Saturday’s matchup between the two clubs, the Florida native clubbed a two-run homer in the third inning en-route to a 6-4 victory for the Bucs. The 11th overall selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft also went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday’s 10-7 loss in Milwaukee. McCutchen currently leads the Majors with a .371 batting average and .651 slugging percentage and ranks second with 119 hits.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (.500, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1.100 SLG, SB) and Martin Maldonado (.615, 2 2B, 8 H, .615 OBP); Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman (.545, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 1.000 SLG, .615 OBP); Alfonso Soriano (.545, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1.273 SLG, .545 OBP) of the Chicago Cubs; and San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 ER, 11 SO, 1 BB, 8.0 IP).

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

 

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Curacao Earns 2012 Little League World Series Berth

It’s been a while since a team of Curacao represented the Caribbean region at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. After making it to the Little League World Series for nine consecutive years from 2001 through 2009, the Boys of Summer will reappear in the 66th Little League World Series.

Pariba Little League from Willemstad, Curacao, won all six of its games in the Caribbean Region Tournament by at least seven runs to earn the region’s berth in the 2012 Little League Baseball World Series.

The team form Curacao joins Asia-Pacific Champion, Kuei-Shan Little League from Taoyuan County, Chinese Taipei, in the 16-team Little League Baseball World Series field.

In the past Pariba Little League advanced to the International Championship game in each of its first two trips to the World Series in 2001 and 2002, losing to the Asia Region Champion, a team from Japan, both times.

Pariba Little League will play its first game of World Series, Aug. 16, against the Japan Region Champion in a 1 p.m. contest that will open the tournament.

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Canelo Alvarez To Face Breakout Star Josesito Lopez

Mexican Independence Day weekend will come alive in one-of-a-kind fashion on Saturday, September 15 when “Knockout Kings” featuring undefeated Mexican sensation Canelo Alvarez taking on boxing’s breakout star and upset-minded Josesito Lopez for Canelo’s World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight World Championship, takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, live on SHOWTIME. Fans can expect fireworks all night long with the unparalleled quadruple-header, which also features WBC Featherweight World Champion Jhonny Gonzalez defending his title against former World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon.

“Knockout Kings,” a tremendous evening of pure Mexican power and pride, is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Canelo Promotions in association with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T. The quadruple-header will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be televised live on SHOWTIME. Additional co-featured fights will be announced soon.

SHOWTIME Sports will also produce a new edition of its ALL ACESS sports documentary series. ALL ACCESS: Canelo vs. Lopez will premiere on SHOWTIME, with multiple replays on additional SHOWTIME and CBS platforms. The exhibition schedule will be announced shortly.

“We know the exceptional talent we have in Mexican superstar Canelo, and certainly Josesito Lopez deserves the opportunity to face him after his stunning upset victory over Victor Ortiz on June 23,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  “It is going to be another prideful Mexican Independence Day weekend for Mexican and Mexican-American fans having their most celebrated fighter, Canelo, fighting that night along with Jhonny Gonzalez and Daniel Ponce De Leon, who are going to deliver their own electrifying championship battle.”

“It is a great pleasure for Golden Boy Promotions to be working with MGM Resorts International and SHOWTIME Sports on this exciting night of boxing,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions.  “To be able to showcase top-caliber boxing talent in Canelo, Josesito Lopez, Jhonny Gonzalez and Ponce De Leon on the same show packs a lot of power and pride into a tremendous evening for attendees and viewers watching at home.  It’s also a special gift for Mexican and Mexican American fans who have supported the sport for so long to have Canelo appear once again on Mexican Independence Day weekend. If there is anyone who deserves a shot at Canelo, it’s Josesito because he showed that heart and will can determine the outcome of any fight. I’ve never seen a fighter show that.”

“SHOWTIME has fully committed to promoting this tremendous night of boxing as if it were a pay-per-view, but instead is offering this quadruple-header to all boxing fans across the country,” continued Schaefer. “We are very pleased that CBS will also be committed to promoting this event on various platforms.”

“We are excited to be able to offer SHOWTIME subscribers a chance to see boxing’s newest star, Canelo Alvarez, in what promises to be a dramatic fight,” said Stephen Espinoza, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports.  “Canelo’s talent and charisma has re-energized boxing and drawn legions of casual fans to the sport. Josesito Lopez may not be as well-known as Canelo, but he has already shown that it would be a mistake for any opponent to overlook Josesito Lopez.  Many counted him out in his last fight against Victor Ortiz, but he stunned the SHOWTIME audience and boxing fans worldwide with his gutsy performance and earned his shot at Canelo.  This match-up, and this entire card as a whole, promises to be non-stop action and we are proud to deliver explosive fights to our viewers.”

Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Resorts International, said, “We look forward to celebrating Mexican Independence Day weekend with one of the most exciting events of the summer.  There is no doubt that Golden Boy Promotions will deliver a fight that has a major impact on boxing fans worldwide.”

Already a phenom in his home country of Mexico, Canelo turned professional at the age of 15 and has amassed a record of 40-0-1, with 29 knockouts. Since 2008, he has knocked out 14 of 18 opponents and is coming off of a dominant unanimous decision win over future Hall of Famer and former Three-Division World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley in May. Now, the 21-year-old considered to be one of boxing’s fastest-rising stars will make his SHOWTIME debut on Mexico’s biggest holiday weekend of the year, Mexican Independence Day weekend. Canelo will look to continue his meteoric rise to international superstardom as he follows in the footsteps of De La Hoya, his childhood idol and current promoter.

“I am happy to be fighting Josesito Lopez on Mexican Independence Day weekend and to give all of our fans a tremendous battle,” said Canelo. “I was ringside for his fight against Victor Ortiz and saw the talent he possesses. It will be very competitive, but nothing can take away my desire to be the best in the sport.  I am also excited to be fighting for the Mexican people and Mexican American fans on Mexican Independence Day weekend. I look forward to showing so many people who will be watching me across the United States that I love being a champion. I want them to think of me as one of the greatest fighters ever.”

In June, Lopez emerged from relative obscurity and scored the biggest win of his career over the heavily favored Ortiz in the main event of a SHOWTIME Championship Boxing. Lopez shocked the boxing world by stopping Ortiz, one of today’s most popular and talented fighters. Lopez (30-4, 18 KO’s) of Riverside, Calif., has the opportunity to recreate his “Rocky moment” on Sept. 15, when he challenges for his first world title against a man that many believe to be boxing’s next superstar.

“I am so happy to have the chance to continue my career fighting another great champion in Canelo Alvarez especially on such a big weekend like Mexican Independence Day,” said Lopez. “I know they put me in the ring with Victor Ortiz to have me beat and now they are doing the same thing with Canelo. I was a big underdog with Ortiz and now I’m a bigger underdog with Canelo, but I’m up for the challenge.”

Also featured on the SHOWTIME telecast will be reigning Mexico City’s Jhonny Gonzalez (52-7, 45 KO’s) who once ruled the bantamweight division with his iron fists, winning two world titles and defeating the likes of Fernando Montiel, Irene Pacheco and recently inducted Hall of Famer Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson. Reinventing himself at featherweight, where he has gone 12-0 with 11 knockouts, he won the WBC 126-pound title by stopping Hozumi Hasegawa in the fourth round in April 2011. Four title defenses, including an April 2012 decision over Elio Rojas, have followed, and on September 15, the 30-year old will seek a fifth successful defense against De Leon.

“This is a fight I have been wanting for a long time and now to have the opportunity to do it for my Mexican people is so great,” said Gonzalez. “That is a big weekend for everyone and I am going to show the world why I am still the best in the division.”

Power puncher Daniel Ponce De Leon (43-4, 35 KO’s) has long been one of boxing’s most dependable warriors. Former WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion De Leon defended his crown six times during his 2005-08 reign. After losing the title to Juan Manuel Lopez in 2008, he began the next chapter of his career, winning nine of his next 11 fights following that defeat. In 2012, wins over Omar Estrella (KO6) and Eduardo Lazcano (W10) at featherweight have put him in line for a shot at 126-pound gold, but to get it, he will have to beat countryman Gonzalez on the 15th of September.

“Gonzalez is a very good fighter, but I have the experience and ability to beat him and take his title from him,” said De Leon. “The Mexican fans will all be watching and there is going to be tremendous pressure on all of us to win our bouts and look great doing it. I will become the new champion that night and my career will move up to a new level.”

Tickets priced at $400, $300, $150, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, go on sale Saturday, July 14 at Noon PT.  Ticket sales are limited to ten (10) per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Andrelton Simmons to be Placed on Disabled List

The Atlanta Braves announced today that rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons will be placed on the 15-day disabled list after injuring the small (pinky) finger on his right hand yesterday at Philadelphia.

Today Dr. Gary Lourie examined Simmons and confirmed that he has a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his right hand. Simmons’ hand will be placed in a cast for four weeks. Once the cast is removed he will be re-evaluated to determine the next phase of treatment. No timetable for his return has been set.

Named the National League’s Rookie of the Month for June, the 22-year-old Simmons is batting .296 (34-for-115) with 13 runs scored, three home runs, seven doubles and 15 RBIs in 33 games for the Braves.  Since making his debut on June 2, he has posted 10 multi-hit games and has played stellar defense.

Selected by Atlanta in the second round (70th overall) of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Simmons became the first Braves player from the 2010 draft class to reach the majors.

A corresponding roster move will not be announced until at least Thursday (July 12).  The Braves open the second half of the 2012 season on Friday (July 13) against the New York Mets (7:35 p.m.).

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Mike Trout voted American League Rookie of the Month for June

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Mike Trout has been voted American League Rookie of the Month for June. This marks the second consecutive monthly rookie honor for Trout, who also received the May honors. Trout becomes the first Angels rookie to win in consecutive months and the first A.L. rookie to accomplish the feat since Detroit Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch in 2010 (May and June).

Trout batted .372 (42-for-113) with seven doubles, one triple, three home runs, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in 26 games. Among Major League players with a minimum of 81 plate appearances, the Vineland, New Jersey native finished first in hits, runs scored and stolen bases, was second behind Cincinnati’s Joey Votto in batting average and was fourth in the A.L. in on-base percentage (.419). Among Major League rookies, the 20-year-old led the way in at-bats, runs, hits, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage (.531), was tied for first in doubles, tied for second in RBI and was fifth in walks. In addition, Trout led all Major Leaguers with 30 hits, 21 runs and 15 stolen bases in Interleague play. In a three-game set with the Texas Rangers to begin the month, Trout recorded a trio multi-hit games, batting .462 (6-for-13) with a double, triple, four RBI and two runs scored to help the Angels take two-of-three from the A.L. West-leading Rangers. On June 4th, the Angels’ first round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft (25th overall) collected a career-high four hits, including a double, two RBI and a run scored, but the Angels dropped an 8-6 decision to the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium. In his first trip to Coors Field from June 8th-10th, the speedy Trout went a combined 8-for-14 (.571) in the series, including a pair of three-hit games, with eight runs scored to lead the Angels to a sweep of Colorado. In his first 10 games of June, the right-handed-hitting Trout hit a blistering .500 (21-for-42) with three doubles, one triple, one homer, 10 RBI and 14 runs scored, and was 7-for-8 in stolen bases to help the Halos to a 7-3 mark over the span. On June 19th against the San Francisco Giants, Trout again collected four hits, which included two doubles and four runs scored, as part of a 14-hit Angels attack as they defeated the Giants, 12-5, in Anaheim. Trout became the first Angels rookie since David Eckstein in 2001 to tally a pair of four-hit games in a season. On June 27th, Trout dazzled both on offense and defense as the Angels downed the Orioles, 13-1, in Baltimore. Trout went 4-for-6 with three runs scored on the night, and robbed J.J. Hardy of a first-inning home run with a leaping catch over the center field wall. Trout, who became the seventh-youngest position player in A.L. history to earn a spot in the Midsummer Classic on July 10th in Kansas City, currently leads the league in batting average (.339) and stolen bases (22) and is fourth in on-base percentage (.395).

Others receiving votes included Boston’s Will Middlebrooks (.288, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 12 R); Oakland’s Yoenis Cespedes (.343, 4 HR, 14 RBI) and Jarrod Parker (3-1, 2.18 ERA, 32 SO); and Robbie Ross (1-0, 0.00 ERA in 10 appearances) of the Rangers. In recognition of his American League Rookie of the Month Award, Mike Trout will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, for his accomplishment.

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Andrelton Simmons voted National League Rookie of the Month for June

Atlanta Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons has been voted National League Rookie of the Month for June. It marks the fifth consecutive season that a Braves player has won rookie honors. The others include Jair Jurrjens (June 2008), Tommy Hanson (June 2009), Jason Heyward (April and May 2010), Craig Kimbrel (June and August 2011) and Freddie Freeman (July 2011).

In 25 June contests, Simmons hit .333 (30-for-90) with six doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI. The 22-year-old ranked among N.L. rookie leaders in nearly every offensive category, placing first in batting average, on-base percentage (.365) and hits. Simmons had the second-highest rookie slugging percentage (.522), tied for second in RBI, tied for third in doubles, tied for sixth in home runs and tied for seventh in runs scored (10). Since his Major League debut on June 2nd, the Mundo Nobo, Curaçao native has started at shortstop in 26 games for the Braves, leading the Club with 10 multi-hit games in that span. The youngster hit safely in 17 of his first 25 Major League contests and notched five multi-RBI games in his first calendar month. On June 30th, Simmons went 3-for-4, matching his career high in hits (done three times), with an RBI and a run scored in a 7-5 victory over the N.L. East-leading Washington Nationals. On June 22nd, Atlanta’s second round pick in the 2010 First- Year Player Draft contributed a key two-run double in a 4-1 Interleague victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Simmons, who is the first player from the Braves’ 2010 Draft class to reach the Majors, clubbed his first career home run on June 9th off Toronto’s Drew Hutchison, exactly two years to the day after signing with the organization. Simmons collected his first career hit on June 3rd in his second Major League game, hitting a second-inning double off Washington’s Gio Gonzalez. Prior to his call-up, Simmons was hitting .292 (50-for-171) with three homers and 21 RBI in 43 games with Double-A Mississippi. This is his first career monthly honor.

Other rookies receiving votes included Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper (.274, 29 H, 6 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 6 SB, .336 OBP) and outfielder/first baseman Tyler Moore (.425, 17 H, 4 HR, 11 RBI, .800 SLG, .521 OBP); Colorado catcher Wilin Rosario (.265, 22 H, 4 2B, 6 HR, 17 RBI, .520 SLG, 14 R); Milwaukee backstop Martin Maldonado (.274, 20 H, 5 HR, 14 RBI, .493 SLG, .338 OBP) and pitcher Michael Fiers (2-2, 2.51 ERA, 38 SO, 32.1 IP); Arizona starting pitcher and 2012 N.L. All-Star Wade Miley (3-3, 3.46 ERA, 34 SO, 41.2 IP); and Houston pitchers Lucas Harrell (3-2, 3.63 ERA, 24 SO, 34.2 IP) and Dallas Keuchel (1-0, 1.35 ERA, 8 SO, 20.0 IP). The National League Rookie of the Month for June 2012, Andrelton Simmons, will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, to commemorate his performance.

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Andrew McCutchen named the National League Player of the Month for June

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who was named to the 2012 N.L. All-Star squad on Sunday, has been voted the Budweiser Presents National League Player of the Month for June. Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball and sponsor for 23 of 30 MLB clubs, is also the presenting sponsor of the American League Player of the Month Award.

In 27 games during June, McCutchen hit .370 (40-for-108), the third-highest batting average among qualifying Major Leaguers and the second-best in the National League, and his 73 total bases were tied with Robinson Cano for the most in the Majors. His 40 hits led the N.L. while his 26 RBI ranked second and his seven home runs were tied for third. McCutchen, who will make his second consecutive Midsummer Classic appearance in Kansas City, recorded the league’s fourth-best slugging percentage (.732) and sixth-highest on-base percentage (.420), while his 19 runs scored tied for sixth. In addition, the Fort Mead, Florida native added four stolen bases to his monthly totals. On June 29th, McCutchen tied a season high with four hits, going 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI and four runs scored in a 14-5 victory over the N.L. Central-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. On June 21st, McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and three RBI in a 9-1 win over the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park. During Interleague play, McCutchen hit .368 (21-for-57) with four doubles, three home runs, eight runs scored and 12 RBI in a span of 15 games against American League opponents from June 8th-24th. The 11th overall pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft began June with a six-game hitting streak and reached base safely in 25 of 27 contests last month. Among N.L. center fielders, McCutchen ranks first in batting average (.346), home runs (15), RBI (51), on-base percentage (.401) and slugging percentage (.593) this season. Among all N.L. players, he ranks fifth in hitting and his 166 total bases rank fourth overall. This is the first monthly award for the 25-year-old and the first by a Pirate since Jason Bay won in May 2006.

Other players receiving votes included Arizona’s Aaron Hill (.370, 37 H, 9 2B, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 16 R, .700 SLG, .402 OBP), who hit for the cycle two times during the month, and Paul Goldschmidt (.341, 9 2B, 7 HR, 16 RBI, .732 SLG); Cincinnati’s Joey Votto (.392, 38 H, 11 2B, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 20 R, .691 SLG, .487 OBP); Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun (.319, 30 H, 8 HR, 19 RBI, 15 R, .617 SLG, .390 OBP); Ike Davis (.264, 8 2B, 16 R, 6 HR, 24 RBI, .363 OBP) of the New York Mets; and Atlanta’s Jason Heyward (.348, 31 H, 9 2B, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 18 R, .674 SLG, .379 OBP). The Budweiser Presents National League Player of the Month, Andrew McCutchen, will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, in recognition of his accomplishment.

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Jose Bautista named the American League Player of the Month for June

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista has been voted the Budweiser Presents American League Player of the Month for June. Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of Major League Baseball and sponsor of 23 of 30 clubs, is also the presenting sponsor of the National League Player of the Month Award.

Bautista batted .271 (26-for-96) with four doubles, 14 home runs, 30 RBI, 22 walks and 24 runs scored in 27 games during June to capture his fifth career monthly award. Jose previously took home honors in July and August 2010 and April and May 2011. Among Major League leaders with at least 81 plate appearances, the 31-year-old finished tops in homers, RBI and slugging percentage (.750), tied for first in walks and extra-base hits (18) and tied for third in runs scored and total bases (72). His 14 homers established a new Club record for the most hit in any single month and it marked the most hit in a calendar month by any player since Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki hit 15 round trippers in September 2010. It also was the most for an A.L. player since New York’s Alex Rodriguez hit 14 home runs in April 2007. Since 2010, Bautista has led the Majors with 123 home runs, including a Major League-best 81 first-half homers. After hitting just three homers in April, the right-handed hitting Bautista found his stroke in May and has totaled 23 homers with 35 walks, 52 RBI and 44 runs scored over a two-month string through the end of June. On June 19th, the nine-year veteran enjoyed his 17th career multi-homer game, and his first since May 11th at Minnesota, as part of a 2-for-4 effort with three runs scored to lead Toronto past the Milwaukee Brewers, 10-9, in an Interleague showdown at Miller Park. For the second time in the game, this time in the top of the ninth inning, Bautista followed a Colby Rasmus homer with one of his own as the Blue Jays came back to claim their first win in Wisconsin since the 1996 season. Three days later on June 22nd, the Dominican Republic native singled, homered, walked twice and scored three runs to help the Jays top the Miami Marlins, 12-5, in Miami. Rounding out the month, the 20th round draft pick in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft (by Pittsburgh) established a new career milestone with a run-scoring single in the second inning of Toronto’s June 30th contest with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to register his 500th career RBI. Bautista, who will be making his third All-Star appearance and second consecutive start on July 10th in Kansas City, currently leads the Majors in homers (26), ranks second in RBI (63), is tied for fourth in runs scored (56) and tied for fifth in walks (51).

Others receiving votes included New York’s Robinson Cano (.340, 11 HR, 21 RBI); A.L. Rookie of the Month Mike Trout (.372, 7 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 14 SB) of the Angels; Trevor Plouffe (.327, 11 HR, 21 RBI) of the Twins; and Kansas City’s Alex Gordon (.340, 11 2B, .509 SLG). In recognition for his Budweiser Presents American League Player of the Month Award, Jose Bautista will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, for his accomplishment.

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J.P. Arencibia of the Toronto Blue Jays named American League Player of the Week

Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending May 20th. This is J.P.’s first career weekly honor and it marks the first time ever that a Blue Jays catcher has won the award. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

In six games last week, Arencibia batted .360 (9-for-25) and tied for the A.L. lead with four home runs, 10 RBI and seven runs scored. The 26-year-old backstop paced the A.L. with a .920 slugging percentage and ranked fourth with 23 total bases while adding two doubles and a walk. On Wednesday, May 16th, the Miami, Florida native went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Toronto’s 8-1 victory over the New York Yankees at the Rogers Centre. The next night, the University of Tennessee product went 1-for-4 and homered again in a 4-1 win to lift the Blue Jays to a two-game sweep of the Yankees. Arencibia, who was selected by the Blue Jays with the 21st overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, continued his hot hitting against New York Clubs with his 3-for-5 performance on Friday at home against the Mets. J.P. recorded two home runs and a career-high six RBI in the contest, eclipsing his previous best of five RBI on April 1, 2011, when the Blue Jays hosted the Minnesota Twins. The two home runs marked his fourth career multi-homer game, which he also accomplished on July 22, 2011 at Texas; April 1, 2011 vs. Minnesota; and August 7, 2010 vs. Tampa Bay. With the multi-homer effort, Arencibia connected for home runs in three consecutive games for the first time in his career. He had previously homered in consecutive contests on September 7-8, 2011 vs. Boston, and on July 22-23, 2011 at Texas. Arencibia closed the week on Sunday with a 2-for-5 performance, including a double, in a 6-5 loss to the Mets. The right-handed hitting slugger is now batting .256 on the season with seven home runs, seven doubles and 26 RBI. Among A.L. catchers, he ranks second in RBI and slugging percentage (.504); tied for second in home runs and runs scored (17); third in extra-base hits (14); and fourth in total bases (59).

Other noteworthy performances last week included Dayan Viciedo (.444, 4 HR, 10 RBI, .889 SLG) of the Chicago White Sox; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (.387, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 1 2B, .806 SLG); Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder (.464, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 2B, .857 SLG); Boston Red Sox pitchers Josh Beckett (2-0, 0.61 ERA, 14.2 IP, 4 BB, 14 SO) and Jon Lester (2-0, 3.00 ERA, 1 CG, 15.0 IP, 1 BB, 9 SO); and Kansas City Royals pitcher Bruce Chen (2-0, 2.08 ERA, 13.0 IP, 4 BB, 11 SO).

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