masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgBOSTON – Nelson Cruz has been named American League co-Player of the Week with Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera.

Cruz batted .407 (11-for-27) with a double, a triple, four homers, 12 RBIs and six runs scored in seven games to earn his third career weekly award and his second of the season. He also was named Player of the Week on June 2.

Cruz led the majors in RBIs, was second in the AL in total bases (26), tied for second in homers, was third in slugging percentage (.963) and was tied for fourth in…BOSTON – Nelson Cruz has been named American League co-Player of the Week with Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera.

Cruz batted .407 (11-for-27) with a double, a triple, four homers, 12 RBIs and six runs scored in seven games to earn his third career weekly award and his second of the season. He also was named Player of the Week on June 2.

Cruz-Buck-Dugout-Smile-Sidebar.pngCruz led the majors in RBIs, was second in the AL in total bases (26), tied for second in homers, was third in slugging percentage (.963) and was tied for fourth in hits and runs scored for the week. The 34-year-old drove in all of Baltimore’s seven runs in Sunday’s 11-inning win over Tampa Bay, going 4-for-5 with a triple and two homers. Cruz leads the majors with 39 homers and is second in the AL with 101 RBIs.

As for tonight, shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of the lineup for the third straight game after experiencing back spasms on the turf at Tropicana Field on Friday night. Ryan Flaherty is starting at short in his place.

Alejandro De Aza starts in left for the second straight game and Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. Steve Pearce is at first with Chris Davis at third.

For the Orioles
Nick Markakis RF
Alejandro De Aza LF
Adam Jones CF
Nelson Cruz DH
Chris Davis 3B
Steve Pearce 1B
Caleb Joseph C
Ryan Flaherty SS
Jonathan Schoop 2B

Miguel Gonzalez RHP

For the Red Sox
Mookie Betts CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
David Ortiz DH
Yoenis Cespedes LF
Mike Napoli 1B
Daniel Nava RF
Xander Bogaerts SS
Will Middlebrooks 3B
David Ross C

Joe Kelly RHP