Cabrera hit .455 with three doubles and a home run in a week in which he drove in eight runs. He had six hits in a three-game series against Baltimore. The hot streak raised his season average to .247 with five home runs and 38 RBI. Monday marked the first time he'd been selected AL player of the week.

Gomez, also winning the award for the first time, drove in at least one run in each game he played Aug. 8-14 and totaled 10 RBI for the week. His efforts helped the Twins move within 1 1/2 games of the Chicago White Sox and first place in the AL Central Division.

Other American League players considered for this week's award were: New York's Derek Jeter, Toronto's Lyle Overbay and A.J. Burnett, Baltimore's Oscar Salazar and Boston's Jon Lester.