StaTuesday: Breaking down Mauer's big week

Joe Mauer was having another rough week.

After picking up just five hits through 21 at-bats and spending the bulk of a 6-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on the bench, the $23 million first baseman's prospects at the plate were looking dim at the end of July.

His average had bottomed out mid-way through the Atlanta series, sinking to .258, its lowest point since last June.

Mauer responded with one of the single-most productive weeks of his decade-plus in the majors, reaching base safely 19 times in 25 at-bats and racking up eight extra-base hits en route to just the fourth Player of the Week award of his 13-year career.

Mauer shared the honor with rookie Max Kepler, who we covered late last week.

His average jumped from .261 to .280 in just six games against the Cleveland Indians and the Tampa Bay Rays, as the Twins rolled to four wins and a series victory over the AL Central-leading Indians.

The veteran infielder led the American League in virtually every measurable acronym, finishing with a .560 BA, .633 OBP, .650 BAbip, 1.000 SLG and a 1.633 OPS.

Mauer's 12-hit performance in four games against the Indians were the most by any player in a single series this season, according to Twins communications director Dustin Morse.

Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference and STATS LLC