Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Mariners minor league report: Class A outfielder on a tear

High Desert's James McOwen sets California League record with 36-game hitting streak

By Kirby Arnold
Herald Writer

 The California League always has been a hitter's paradise as warm, dry conditions collide with talented young hitters at the advanced Class A level. Outfielder James McOwen of the Seattle Mariners' High Desert affiliate is adding some lore to the lore with a league-record 36-game hitting streak.

He did it Sunday, breaking the old record of 35 straight held by Brent Gates of Modesto in 1992 and Chris Davis of Bakersfield in 2007.

McOwen, the Mariners' sixth-round draft pick in 2007, had never hit safely in more than eight consecutive games or batted better than .270 in his previous two seasons.

He entered Tuesday night's game against Lake Elsinore batting .335.

Pedro Grifol, the Mariners' minor league director, believes McOwen's success this year is a group effort. He credits High Desert hitting coach Tommy Cruz, along with the Mariners' two minor league mental skills experts, Rafael Colon and Jack Curtis, with giving McOwen and all of the Mavericks' hitters the mechanical and mental tools to succeed.

"I'm deferring all of the credit to Tommy and our mental skills department," Grifol said. "With Tommy's energy and what he brings to the table with his knowledge, it's not a coincidence that these guys are having good years. I don't like to discredit the kids because they can hit anywhere."

They certainly are this year.

Entering Tuesday's game, the Mavericks had six of the top nine averages in the league -- third baseman Alex Liddi second at .343, McOwen third at .335, shortstop Juan Diaz fourth at .323, first baseman Joe Dunigan sixth at .321, catcher Travis Scott eighth at .319 and center fielder Tyson Gillies ninth at .318.

The Mavericks led the league in six offensive categories with a .303 team batting average, .374 on-base percentage, .514 slugging percentage, 49 triples, 99 home runs and 451 RBI.

That got them 18 runs Sunday against Lake Elsinore -- and also a record-setting 33-18 loss. Five Mavericks hit home runs and four finished with four RBI.

The next night, regular baseball returned in High Desert's 5-1 victory over Lake Elsinore. Mavericks right-hander Jake Wild allowed up a run and four hits in 62/3 innings, giving him a 4-4 record and a 3.50 earned run average.

High Desert, which won the South Division first-half championship, entered Tuesday 3-2 and tied for first in the second-half standings.

Elsewhere around the Mariners' minor league system:

Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers

The Rainiers' roughest stretch of the season continued Monday night when Reno beat them 8-7 in 11 innings for their 10th loss in 12 games. The Rainiers entered Tuesday 36-41 and fourth in the Pacific Coast League Pacific North, 9 1/2 games behind first-place Colorado Springs.

Closer Randy Messenger blew his third save when Reno scored four runs the eighth inning. Messenger, fifth in the PCL with 13 saves, has allowed 13 hits and seven earned runs over 5 2/3 innings over his past four outings.

Third baseman Chris Shelton is eighth in the PCL with a .322 average, and he and DH Jeff Clement are tied for fifth with 22 doubles. Clement is batting .282.

Class AA West Tennessee DiamondJaxx

Outfielder Greg Halman hit safely in each of his first five games back after being sidelined by a heel injury.

Halman, who had struck out 101 times in 219 at-bats before being hurt, spent considerable time during his rehab working in Arizona with Mariners minor league hitting coordinator Jose Castro. In his first five games back with West Tennessee, he went 7-for-22 with seven strikeouts, one home run and seven RBI.

Outfielder Ezequiel Carrera led the league with a .349 average and his .469 on-base percentage was tied for first.

Closer Phillippe Aumont recorded his first victory at the Class AA level when he gave up a hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings Monday against Mississippi. Aumont, recently promoted from Class A High Desert, is 1-2 with a 1.69 ERA and one save.

Right-handed starter Kyle Parker, from Yakima and the University of Washington, is 4-4, 3.83 and gave up only four hits and one earned run in seven innings Sunday against Mississippi. In that game, right-hander Josh Fields suffered his first loss when he gave up four hits and four earned runs and didn't get anybody out before being lifted in the eighth. Fields, the Mariners' first-round draft pick last year, is 2-1, 5.68.

West Tennessee entered Tuesday 4-4 and one game out of first place in the Southern League North second-half standings.

Class A Clinton LumberKings

Second baseman Luis Nunez was sixth in the Midwest League with a .326 average and right fielder Denny Almonte was third with 13 home runs and tied for ninth with 45 RBI. Right-hander Aaron Pribanic was 6-4, 2.49 in 12 starts and right-hander Ruben Flores was tied for fourth in the league with 14 saves. He's 2-2, 2.40. The LumberKings were 2-2 early in the second half of the Midwest League Western Division.

Class A Pulaski Mariners

Left fielder Dwight Britton was batting .423 and second baseman Cesar Fuentes .318 after seven games. Pulaski got off to a 1-6 start and trailed first-place Danville in the Appalachian League East.

Rookie-level Peoria Mariners

Left fielder Mario Yepez was batting .438 and first baseman Evan Sharpley .389 with six RBI in six games. The Mariners were 4-3, 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Surprise Rangers in the Arizona League West.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA