UPDATE: Former Moc Matt Joyce has been named the American League Player of the Week.

Joyce, 24, earned the award for the first time after hitting .409 (9-for-22) with four home runs, four doubles and six runs batted in for the week. In a four-game weekend series against Minnesota, Joyce went 6-for-17 and clubbed three homers.

For the season, the Tampa native is hitting .266 with nine homers and 18 RBI’s in just 31 games with the Tigers.

After the Detroit Tigers had lost three straight last week to the Minnesota Twins, former Moccasin Matt Joyce helped his team avoid a sweep by hitting a mammoth home run Sunday afternoon.  Joyce launched a solo homer 426 feet to straightway center before a sellout crowd  at Comerica Park, assisting the Tigers to a 4-2 win.

Joyce, who was called up from Triple-A to replace Magglio Ordonez when Ordonez was placed on the disabled list, has homered in four of the last five games, giving him nine home runs in just 94 at-bats.  Along with his hot bat, the rookie outfielder from Riverview, Florida, also has provided the Tigers with solid defense in the outfield, making a diving catch in right field to end Sunday's game.

Drafted in the 12th round by the Tigers following the 2005 season, Joyce is making his second appearance with the club this season.  The starting right fielder on the Mocs' 2005 NCAA National Championship team, Joyce was first called to the majors on March 12 and played in 18 games with five homers and 10 RBI's before being sent back to AAA Toledo.

To watch Matt’s amazing catch and other videos, visit MLB.com.

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