New York, NY (Sports Network) - Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton and pitcher James Shields were named the American League co-players of the week for the period ending Sept. 9.
It is the second time this season that a pair of teammates shared the AL's weekly award, The first occasion occurred when Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielders Mike Trout and Torii Hunter shared the honor for the period ending on June 10.
Upton batted .400 for the week and stroked five homers while driving in six runs. He also scored seven times and stole three bases in the Rays' six games to claim his third career weekly honor.
Shields won both of his starts, including a shutout against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The California native tallied the third most strikeouts in the AL for the week with 13 en route to his fourth career weekly honor.
Others considered for the award included Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland.
