The Pittsburgh Pirates might be skidding, but Pedro Alvarez isn't to blame. The Bucs' third baseman earned National League Player of the Week honors for the period ending Sept. 2, 2012.
In six games, Alvarez had four home runs -- tied for the Major League lead over the week -- and hit .458 in 24 at-bats. His week was highlighted by a 4-for-5, two-homer, four-RBI performance against the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 28. One of those homers traveled 469 feet, the longest home run hit in PNC Park to date. Unfortunately, the team didn't follow suit, going 2-4 over the week and suffering a sweep at the hands of the Brewers.
Alvarez has responded well to becoming the Pirates' everyday third baseman, bouncing back from a sophomore campaign in which he hit just .191. He is hitting .250 on the season while leading the Pirates -- and all NL third basemen -- with 27 home runs.
Perhaps it's a September thing -- Alvarez won the honor previously as a rookie for his performance during the week of Sept. 20 through Sept. 26, 2010.
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