TORONTO

Blue Jays' Romero named AL player of the week

The Canadian Press Published Monday, August 8, 2011 5:41PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Romero throws in the second inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Blue Jays won 3-1. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS / Mike Carlson)

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TORONTO - Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero was named the American League's player of the week Monday.

Romero won both of his starts, posting a 1.69 earned-run average, while allowing just five hits. He also had 12 strikeouts with only four walks over 16 innings.

Romero is the second Blue Jay behind Jose Bautista to win the award this season. Romero becomes the first Toronto pitcher to capture the honour since Roy Halladay on May 18, 2009.

Romero pitched five hitless innings in a 3-1 road win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He went five innings, allowing one hit on one run with eight strikeouts.

Then on Sunday, Romero gave up two runs on four hits while fanning five over eight innings in Toronto's 7-2 road win in Baltimore. Romero issued no walks in the game in recording his third straight decision over the Orioles.