Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw won a pair of games last week and on Monday was named National League Player of the Week for the second time in 2014.
Kershaw beat the Padres on Monday at home, striking out eight in eight innings, and beat the Giants on Sunday against the Giants, striking out nine in eight innings, helping the Dodgers leave San Francisco with a three-game lead in the National League West.
Kershaw allowed five runs on 10 hits during the week, though because two of the runs were unearned - remember Yakety Sax? - his ERA on the week was 1.69, with 17 strikeouts.
Kershaw on the season is 19-3 with a 1.70 ERA, leading the majors in wins and ERA, vying to become the first pitcher ever to lead the majors in ERA in four straight seasons.
It is the fifth time Kershaw has won the NL Player of the Week award in his career, including once each in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
It was a banner week for the Dodgers, winners of four of their six games, with standout performances from several players. Among those listed as having notable performances by MLB last week were Carl Crawford, who hit .600/.591/1.000 with six extra-base hits and eight RBI; and Hanley Ramirez, who hit .500/.542/.591 with five RBI.
Kershaw also won the award for the week of June 16-22, the week of his no-hitter, joining teammates Yasiel Puig (May 12-18), Josh Beckett (May 19-25) and Matt Kemp (July 28-Aug. 3) this season.
The Dodgers last won five NL Player of the Week awards in 1995, when Mike Piazza (twice), Eric Karros (twice), Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo and Ramon Martinez captured seven awards.