It was an eventful week for Nelson Cruz. First he went 5 for 5 in Saturday’s win against the Red Sox, just a triple shy of the cycle. This didn’t sit well with losing pitcher John Lackey, who said, “There are things I’d like to say, but I’m not going to. You guys forget pretty conveniently about stuff.” He was referring, of course, to the 50 game suspension Cruz served last year for reported PED use when he played for the Texas Rangers.
Cruz let his bat do the talking the next day, going 3 for 6 in Sunday’s extra inning win against the BoSox. But manager Buck Showalter said what we were all thinking when he retorted: “We need to all make sure we check our own backyard before we start looking at someone else’s.” *Cough* David Ortiz. *Bigger cough* (Former) Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez.
Then, to cap things off, Cruz was one of three Orioles named to start for the AL All-Star Team. (The other two are center fielder Adam Jones and catcher Matt Wieters, who is currently on the DL)
Stud of the Week for June 29 – July 6:
Nelson Cruz
The line:
Cruz went for 5-5, with a home run and two doubles in Saturday’s win against the Red Sox.
Studliest moment:
The triple is the most elusive hit of the cycle, so who could blame Cruz when he tried to stretch his left field gapper into a three-bagger in the 8th inning? When he was called out at third, the look on his face was more sheepish resignation than true disappointment. He was greeted with amused smiles and appreciative high fives in the dugout.
The clincher:
Cruz, with his gaudy 27 home runs and 71 RBIs, was named the starting DH for the American League All-Star Team.