Mariners LHP James Paxton Monday was named co-American League Player of the Week for July 24 for two impressive victories. He shares the award with Rangers 3B Adrian Beltre, a Mariner from 2005-09, who reached 3,000 career hits Sunday. The weekly honor was Paxton’s second of the season (April 10-16).
Paxton won twice and gave up no runs with 18 strikeouts and no walks in starts vs. the Red Sox and New York Mets. He allowed 10 hits in 13 innings, striking out 12.46 batters per nine innings.
Paxton is 11-3 with a 2.68 ERA with 125 strikeouts and 31 walks in 18 starts (11 quality starts). He has limited opponents to a .220 batting average while posting a 1.10 WHIP.
Paxton is the first pitcher in club history to earn two AL Player of the Week honors in a single season. He is also the first Mariner to pull off the double since 3B Kyle Seager was named AL Player of the Week twice in 2014.
The Mariners begin a three-game series at Texas at 5:10 p.m. Monday. RHP Felix Hernandez (5-4, 4.08) throws for Seattle opposite LHP Cole Hamels (5-1, 3.97).