NewsHavens heats up as AFL winds down
Mets prospect scores three runs, raises average to .324
By Robert Emrich / Special to MLB.com
11/18/09 7:15 PM EST
Reese Havens is finishing his five-week stint in the Arizona Fall League on a roll.The Mets' prospect fell a home run short of the cycle and scored three times Wednesday, leading the Surprise Rafters to an 11-9 triumph over the Peoria Saguaros.
Riding a six-game hitting streak, Havens doubled in the third inning, singled in the fifth and tripled in the sixth, scoring all three times. The former first-round pick also walked in the ninth inning and has raised his batting average from .182 on Oct. 30 to .324.
"I really haven't tried to do too much different," Havens said. "I keep putting the work in and sticking with my routine. I just keep on doing what I'm doing and, hopefully, it pays off."
Havens praised the efforts of Rangers catcher Taylor Teagarden, who also had three hits, including his second AFL homer, and two RBIs.
"He's been a great teammate who is willing to help," Havens said. "Taylor has been good to watch."
Havens spent the season with Class A Advanced St. Lucie and batted .247 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs in 97 games at shortstop. He's seen time at second base in Arizona.
"I definitely think I have some work to do at second base," he said. "I'm nowhere near where I want to be."
Marcus Lemon also had three hits, including his second homer in three games, and fellow Rangers prospect Mitch Moreland homered and drove in three runs for the Rafters (15-16), who have won three in a row.
Braves farmhand Brandon Hicks was a catalyst for the Saguaros (13-18), scoring four times, driving in three runs and stealing two bases. Yonder Alonso, the Reds' first-round pick in the 2008 Draft, also had three RBIs, pushing his team-leading total to 21.
Rangers Minor Leaguer Brennan Garr (1-1) pitched a perfect inning for the win and Cardinals prospect Scott Gorgen struck out one in the the ninth for his first AFL save.
Josh Judy (2-2) took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in one inning. Mike Minor (Braves), the seventh overall pick in the 2009 Draft, started for Peoria and gave up four runs on seven hits, including three homers, over 2 1/3 frames.
Robert Emrich is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
