Escobar powers way to NL player award

NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- Atlanta's Yunel Escobar, who hit .500 over four games last week, was given the National League player of the week honor Monday.

Escobar, appearing in all four of the Braves' games from the All-Star break through and Sunday, capped the period with a three-hit, four-RBI game against the New York Mets.

For the week, Escobar had two home runs and three doubles while hitting .500. He also scored four runs.

Escobar is the second Braves' infielder to be selected NL player of the week this month. Martin Prado won the honor two weeks ago.

Other players nominated for Monday's National League weekly honor were Arizona's Miguel Montero, Chicago's Alfonso Soriano, Cincinnati's Edwin Encarnacion, Houston's Roy Oswalt, St. Louis' Chris Carpenter and Washington's Nyjer Morgan.