Detroit OF named AL Player of Week

NEW YORK, July 14 (UPI) -- Detroit Tigers rookie outfielder Matt Joyce was selected Monday as the American League Player of the Week.

Joyce, 24, earned the award for the first time after hitting .409 (9-for-22) with four home runs, four doubles and six runs batted in for the week. In a four-game weekend series against Minnesota, Joyce went 6-for-17 with three homers.

For the season, Joyce is hitting .266 with nine homers and 18 RBI in 31 games with the Tigers.

Joyce's teammate, pitcher Justin Verlander, was also considered for the award after striking out 15 in 14 innings with a 2-0 record and a 2.57 earned run average during the period.