Braves outfielder Jason Heyward was named National League player of the week on Monday after hitting a scorching .522 (12-for-23) in six games, with three doubles, three home runs and five RBIs.
Heyward led the league last week in batting average and slugging percentage (1.130) and was fourth with a .542 on-base percentage. Heyward takes a 10-game hitting streak into a series with Arizona that opens Tuesday and has hit safely in 18 of his past 22 games.
Heyward had a pair of three-hit games during the Braves' weekend series in Boston, with two doubles among his three hits Friday night and a double and home run among his three hits Sunday. Heyward also hit a pair of home runs in the series finale Wednesday in New York against the Yankees.
Heyward is hitting .369 (24-for-65) this month, second only to Reds first baseman Joey Votto (.434) in the NL among hitters with 55 or more at-bats. In that time he's raised his seasonal batting average from .233 to .278.
This is Heyward's first-ever play-of-the-week award.
Carroll Rogers