Thome is AL player of the week

NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- Chicago's Jim Thome, with two home runs in three games, was selected the American League player of the week Monday.

The All-Star break limited player-of-the-week consideration to games played Thursday through Sunday.

Thome appeared in three games over the period, collecting five hits, including a double and two home runs, in 10 at bats. He led the American League with seven runs batted in in those games.

Both home runs and all the RBI came Friday against Baltimore.

Monday marked the sixth time Thomas has won the player-of-the-week honor.

Also considered this week's award were Seattle's Franklin Gutierrez, who hit two home runs and drove in five runs with an AL-best 12 total bases; and Toronto's Roy Halladay, who started the All-Star Game for the American League and followed it up with a complete-game performance in Sunday's 3-1 win over Boston.