New York, NY (Sports Network) - Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano, who posted the first no-hitter by a Cub in over 36 years, has been named the National League's Player of the Week for the week ending September 14.
Zambrano, who was suffering from right shoulder tendinitis, made his first start since September 2 and struck out a season-high 10 batters and gave up just one walk along and hit one batter in Sunday's 5-0 win against the Astros. It was the righty's first shutout since May 7, 2004, and was his third overall. He also become the third Venezuelan to throw a no-hitter, joining Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez, who threw one with Florida in 2006, and Wilson Alvarez, who threw one with the White Sox in 1991.
On the season, Zambrano is now 14-5 with a 3.41 earned run average and 127 strikeouts in 28 starts. At the bat, he has posted a .354 average with four homers and 14 runs batted in. This marks his first weekly honor.
Other nominees for the award included the Mets' Carlos Delgado (.421 , two home runs, four RBI) and Carlos Beltran (.474, two home runs, five RBI); the Giants' Tim Lincecum (2-0, 0.52 ERA, 21 strikeouts); and the Phillies' Ryan Howard (.385, four home runs, 12 RBI) and Jimmy Rollins (.462, one home run, five RBI).
