H. Matsui named AL player of the month

H. Matsui named AL player of the month

NEW YORK, United States - New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui meets the press at Yankee Stadium in New York on Aug. 2 after earning American League player of the month honors for July. In 28 games, Matsui batted .345 with 39 hits and 28 RBIs in 113 at-bats. He also led the league with a .735 slugging percentage, 13 home runs and 31 runs scored.

Baseball: Rakuten dominate All-star fan voting

Baseball: Rakuten dominate All-star fan voting

SENDAI, Japan - Seven Rakuten Eagles players named July 2 to the upcoming All-Star series pose for photographers at Fullcast Stadium in Sendai. (Back row, from L to R) rookie pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, slugger Takeshi Yamasaki, outfielder Teppei, catcher Motohiro Shima. (Front row, from L to R) outfielder Koichi Isobe, infielder Yosuke Takasu, pitcher Kazuo Fukumori. Yamasaki, who has hit 28 home runs and 61 RBIs this season -- both Pacific League highs -- was the top vote-getter overall with 1,094,803 as Rakuten, with eight players named to the All-Stars, dominated the 12 sections in the PL for the July 20-21 series at Tokyo Dome and Fullcast Stadium.

Ichiro, Jojima get multihits as Mariners rout Diamondbacks

Ichiro, Jojima get multihits as Mariners rout Diamondbacks

PHOENIX, United States - Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Jojima hits a single to left in the ninth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 28. Jojima went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as the Mariners trounced the Diamondbacks 10-3. (MLB)

Yankees' Matsui goes 2-for-5 against Red Sox

Yankees' Matsui goes 2-for-5 against Red Sox

NEW YORK, United States - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui hits a two-run double to the left-center field off Boston Red Sox starter Derek Lowe in the second inning of a game at Yankee Stadium on May 28. Matsui went 2-for-5 with two RBIs as the Yankees won 6-5. (MLB)

Suzuki slaps single to score 2 runs

Suzuki slaps single to score 2 runs

SAETTLE, United States - Right-fielder Ichiro Suzuki hits a single into right-center field in the fourth inning at Safeco Field on July 28. Suzuki went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base to lead Seattle Mariners to its seventh straight win over Minnesota Twins 5-1. (MLB)

Baseball: Rakuten dominate All-star fan voting

Baseball: Rakuten dominate All-star fan voting

SENDAI, Japan - Seven Rakuten Eagles players named July 2 to the upcoming All-Star series pose for photographers at Fullcast Stadium in Sendai. (Back row, from L to R) rookie pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, slugger Takeshi Yamasaki, outfielder Teppei, catcher Motohiro Shima. (Front row, from L to R) outfielder Koichi Isobe, infielder Yosuke Takasu, pitcher Kazuo Fukumori. Yamasaki, who has hit 28 home runs and 61 RBIs this season -- both Pacific League highs -- was the top vote-getter overall with 1,094,803 as Rakuten, with eight players named to the All-Stars, dominated the 12 sections in the PL for the July 20-21 series at Tokyo Dome and Fullcast Stadium. (Kyodo)

Baseball: Mejia PL position player of March, April

Baseball: Mejia PL position player of March, April

Seibu Lions first baseman Ernesto Mejia poses for photos at a hotel in Sendai, Japan on May 10, 2016 after winning the first monthly honors of the Nippon Professional Baseball season. Mejia went homerless through April 8, but finished the month with 10, the most in either league, while tying for the NPB lead in RBIs with 28. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

H. Matsui named AL player of the month

H. Matsui named AL player of the month

NEW YORK, United States - New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui meets the press at Yankee Stadium in New York on Aug. 2 after earning American League player of the month honors for July. In 28 games, Matsui batted .345 with 39 hits and 28 RBIs in 113 at-bats. He also led the league with a .735 slugging percentage, 13 home runs and 31 runs scored. (Kyodo)

Ichiro, Jojima get multihits as Mariners rout Diamondbacks

Ichiro, Jojima get multihits as Mariners rout Diamondbacks

PHOENIX, United States - Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Jojima hits a single to left in the ninth inning of a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 28. Jojima went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as the Mariners trounced the Diamondbacks 10-3. (MLB) (Kyodo)

Yankees' Matsui goes 2-for-5 against Red Sox

Yankees' Matsui goes 2-for-5 against Red Sox

NEW YORK, United States - New York Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui hits a two-run double to the left-center field off Boston Red Sox starter Derek Lowe in the second inning of a game at Yankee Stadium on May 28. Matsui went 2-for-5 with two RBIs as the Yankees won 6-5. (MLB)(Kyodo)