New York, NY – Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending August 5.
Burnett went 2-0 during the week to record his 13th and 14th wins of the season. His 15 strikeouts ranked second in the league while his 1.02 ERA was eighth.
He started the week with a one-hit shutout of the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, carrying a no-hitter into eighth inning before Adrian Cardenas' two-out, pinch-hit single broke up the bid.
Burnett followed that performance with an 8 2/3-inning gem on Sunday in which he allowed two runs on three hits to earn his fourth career weekly award and first since 2005.
Other players considered for the award included Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche, Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes, Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera, Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday and Diamondbacks third baseman Chris Johnson.
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