Ichiro earns AL weekly accolade

NEW YORK — New York Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki was named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Major League Baseball announced Monday.

Ichor led the major leagues with 15 hits, six stolen bases, and a .600 batting average from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23.

The 38-year-old figured prominently in the Yankees' three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays, including the Sept. 19 doubleheader in which he recorded three hits in the day game and went 4-for-4 with four stolen bases in the evening.

Ichiro also led the majors in on-base percentage (.630) and was third in slugging percentage (.960) with two home runs as the Yankees preserved a narrow lead atop the tight American League East.

The weekly award is Ichiro's fourth of his major league career, and his first since joining the Yankees from the Seattle Mariners in July.

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Miyamoto nabs first MVP accolade

Tokyo Yakult Swallows third baseman Shinya Miyamoto has become the oldest player to win the Central League's monthly MVP award, receiving the honor for the first time in his career at the age of 40 years and 5 months.

The Golden Glove winner batted .400 with 11 RBIs in April, helping the Swallows soar to the top of the CL.

"I'm a little surprised by this, because I never expected to win it," Miyamoto said. "I thought I would never have anything to do with this award."

Bryan Bullington of the Hiroshima Carp was named the CL's top pitcher after winning three games, including a shutout against the Chunichi Dragons on April 29.

From the Pacific League, Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma won the award for his fifth time with three victories including one shutout against the Seibu Lions on April 26.

The Fukuoka Softbank Hawks' Seiichi Uchikawa was named the best hitter after leading the league with a .397 average and 25 hits in his first month in the PL.

Uchikawa, who signed with the Hawks from the Yokohama BayStars during the offseason, became the 17th player to win the award in both leagues.

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