Ace Roy Halladay, left, is all smiles after playing a major role in Toronto's 5-1 win over the New York Yankees last Tuesday. Ace Roy Halladay, left, is all smiles after playing a major role in Toronto's 5-1 win over the New York Yankees last Tuesday. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

Two dominant pitching performances earned Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay American League player of the week honours on Monday.

Halladay picked up a pair of victories in as many starts, posting a 1.13 earned run average in 16 innings for Toronto, which has the best record in the AL at 27-14.

Facing former Blue Jays teammate A.J. Burnett last Tuesday, Halladay — the 2003 Cy Young Award winner — allowed only one run en route to a complete-game 5-1 victory over the New York Yankees.

Five days later, Halladay overcame early struggles to lead the Jays to an 8-2 win against the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander worked seven strong innings with eight strikeouts, while allowing just one run.

Toronto swept the four-game series Monday afternoon following a 3-2 triumph.

Halladay, who leads the majors in wins, is 8-1 on the season with a 2.78 ERA and 57 strikeouts.

He has won the weekly award twice during his career, in 2003 and 2006.

With files from The Canadian Press