Ryu, Fiers, Springer earn POTW honors
After a week of head-turning performances, Dodgers left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu, A’s right-hander Mike Fiers and Astros outfielder George Springer were honored as the MLB Players of the Week presented by W.B. Mason on Monday.
Ryu took home National League Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career after throwing 17 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts, one walk and only five hits allowed over two starts.
Meanwhile, Fiers and Springer were named the co-winners of the American League Player of the Week Award.
Facing the Reds on Tuesday, Fiers threw the 300th no-hitter in Major League history (including the postseason), according to the Elias Sports Bureau, becoming the 35th pitcher with multiple no-hitters in his career. Fiers also won the AL Player of the Week Award following his first no-hitter on Aug. 21, 2015, as a member of the Astros. He’s the first A’s player to win the award since Sean Manaea, who was the AL Player of the Week after throwing a no-hitter last April.
Fiers’ no-no came on the same day Ryu tossed a 93-pitch shutout vs. the Braves in which he allowed only four hits. The southpaw then flirted with a no-hitter of his own Sunday, holding the Nationals hitless for 7 1/3 innings as part of another scoreless gem. Ryu becomes the second Dodger to be named NL Player of the Week this season, joining Cody Bellinger, who won in April.
Also on Sunday, Springer went 5-for-5 with two homers -- including his 29th career leadoff blast -- four RBIs and five runs scored as the Astros defeated the Rangers, 15-5. In total, the outfielder hit .519/.563/1.148 with five home runs, 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored over seven games in the past week. Now a two-time AL Player of the Week Award winner, Springer is the first Astros player to win one since Yuli Gurriel last September.