Rangers’ Kouzmanoff named AL Player of the Week
By Jeff Adcox
Texas Rangers third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff has been named American League Player of the Week for the week ending April 20, 2014. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.
In seven games last week, Kouzmanoff led the American League with eight RBIs and 20 total bases while tying for the league lead in runs scored with 6 and doubles with 4. He also ranked among league leaders with two home runs, 10 hits and a .690 slugging percentage. He batted .345 for the week.
Kouzmanoff, who signed with Texas as a Minor League free agent in December, hit safely in his first 10 games in a Ranger uniform before being held hitless in Sunday’s 16-2 loss to the visiting Chicago White Sox. His streak of hitting safely in 10 consecutive games to start his Rangers career fell one shy of a Fred Manrique’s Club record of 11 (1989).
In Saturday’s contest against the Sox, Kouzmanoff provided the Rangers bullpen with some insurance, hitting a solo homer to lead off the eighth inning as the Rangers won a 6-3 decision. On Thursday, he ignited the Rangers offense with an RBI-double in the first inning following an intentional walk to Prince Fielder. The early offensive outburst helped the Rangers earn an 8-6 victory and complete a three-game sweep of the Mariners.