A relatively new baseball term aptly describes Jeff DaVanon. The Salt Lake Stingers outfielder fits the bill as a 4-A player — a guy who dominates Triple-A ball but, for whatever reason, struggles in the major leagues.
"I feel that I'm a rhythm hitter, and when you don't play very much in the big leagues, it's hard to get that rhythm," DaVanon said after nearly hitting for the cycle in Salt Lake's 3-0 win over Colorado Springs. "Right now I feel very comfortable."
Playing every day is making a world of difference for the 28-year-old slugger. DaVanon opened the season with the parent Anaheim Angels and saw limited action in a crowded outfield featuring Darin Erstad, Garret Anderson, Orlando Palmeiro and Tim Salmon. He appeared in 16 games, getting just five hits in 30 at-bats for a .167 average with one homer and four RBI.
Since being sent to Salt Lake on May 2, DaVanon has racked up 14 hits in 29 at-bats. Over seven games with the Stingers, his batting average stands at .482 with a pair of homers and 10 RBI. He has at least one hit in every game, thus far.
"The Angels are loaded in the outfield, and I am going to have to work my hardest to get back up there and force their hand — either to trade me or give me a shot to play everyday," DaVanon said of his surge since being sent to the minors.
In Thursday's victory at Franklin Covey Field, he topped the Stingers with three hits — a triple, a solo homer and a double. A bid for the cycle was foiled with a hard grounder to second base.
"I don't ever think about the cycle," said DaVanon. "The only thing I think about is trying to put the barrel on the ball and let good things happen."
Success has been contagious. Salt Lake has won a season-high six straight games since DaVanon's arrival. At 21-14, the Stingers are in sole possession of first place in the PCL's Central Division.
"He's done a good job. He's not feeling sorry for himself for being here. He's just coming down to get his game back to where he wants it. Hopefully, he can get back up there and get another good shot at it and be a contributor," said manager Mike Brumley. "He's doing what he needs to do. Right now, he's swinging the bat well. He's seeing the ball and doing damage."
After leading off with a triple in the first inning, DaVanon gave Salt Lake a 1-0 lead when he scored on a sacrifice fly by Alfredo Amezaga. Two innings later, he hit the scoreboard in right-center field for the second consecutive night. The solo homer made it 2-0.
Former BYU slugger Gary Johnson later capped all scoring with an RBI double in the sixth.
The three runs proved to be more than enough to back four Salt Lake pitchers, who teamed for a shutout. Starter Marty Jantzen, who improved to 2-0, drew praise from Brumley for throwing five strong innings. Rich Kelley, Scot Shields and Bart Miadich then followed to keep the visiting Sky Sox scoreless.
BEE LINES: Thursday's attendance was 5,877 . . . The series concludes Friday at 6:30 p.m. Colorado Springs RHP Victor Santos (1-0, 5.14 ERA) and Salt Lake RHP John Lackey (3-2, 3.18 ERA) are the scheduled starters . . . Edmonton (Minnesota Twins) comes to town for four games beginning Saturday . . . The Stingers lead the PCL with 22 triples.
E-MAIL: dirk@desnews.com