The American League named Brad Miller its Player of the Week Monday after the Seattle rookie, in three weekend games against the Houston Astros, hit .385 (5×13) with four runs scored, two home runs, seven RBIs, three walks and a 1.346 OPS. Miller, the first Mariner to claim the honor since Felix Hernandez Aug. 20, 2012 following his perfect game, had both home runs and a career-high five RBIs Friday.
Among all major leaguers in the weekend re-start to the season, Miller finished tied for first in homers and second in RBIs. He had 11 total bases. The Clemson product also became the first player in Mariners history and the 22nd in MLB history to notch a pair of games with at least four RBIs in the first 17 games of a career.
Miller is the first Mariners position player to win since Justin Smoak June 4, 2012, and the first Seattle rookie to win since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989 for the week ending April 30.
In 19 games, Miller is batting .272 (20×74) with 14 RBIs.
Also considered for the weekly award were Houston’s Brandon Barnes, who went 5-for-5 and hit for the cycle Friday against the Mariners; Jonny Gomes of the Red Sox, who hit .364 with two home runs; Alex Rios of the White Sox, who batted .500 with eight RBIs, and Oakland’s Bartolo Colon, who tossed a 1-0 shutout against the L.A. Angels Sunday.
The Mariners have a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians Monday night at Safeco Field. RHP Aaron Harang (4-8, 5.38) starts opposite Ubaldo Jimenez (7-4, 4.56).
