Twins' Thome claims AL weekly honors
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Minnesota Twins designated hitter Jim Thome has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending August 21.
On August 15, Thome became just the eighth player in major league history to join the 600-home run club by cracking an opposite field, three-run shot off Detroit Tigers reliever Daniel Schlereth. Thome joins New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez as the only other active player to amass 600 home runs. The left-handed slugger also became the first player to hit home run numbers 599 and 600 in consecutive at-bats.
On the week, Thome hit .429 with three homers, seven RBI and four runs scored in five games. The award is Thome's eighth career player of the week honor and his sixth as an American League player.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Other noteworthy performances included: slugger Jose Bautista and pitcher Ricky Romero of the Blue Jays; Tigers catcher Alex Avila; Angels outfielder Peter Bourjos; shortstop Derek Jeter, first baseman Mark Teixeira and center fielder Curtis Granderson of the Yankees; and Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland.