Austin plates two in Scottsdale's comeback

Sometimes a day off can mess up a player's groove, but for Tyler Austin, it seems to only help.

After an off day Sunday and sitting out Monday, the No. 15 Yankees prospect collected two hits and two RBIs to boost the Scottsdale Scorpions to a 7-6 win over the Glendale Desert Dogs on Tuesday in Arizona Fall League action.

"I feel pretty good. It's still a process and there's still things I'm working on, but I feel pretty good," the 23-year-old said. "Just got to keep my head up and keep improving."

In games after an off day, the right fielder has accumulated eight hits, six RBIs and three walks in six games, compared to two hits and one RBI in his other three games.

While improving at the plate, Austin's focus has been on his defense as he makes the transition across the outfield.

"(I'm) playing left field a little bit, so I'm getting adjusted to playing in left and in right. Mainly that's a big thing for me out here," he said. "I'm doing all right. There's still lot of work to be done, though."

The Georgia native pushed the first two Scorpions runs across the board on groundouts in the first and sixth respectively. All the while, his team hadn't recorded a hit.

Third-ranked White Sox prospect Francellis Montas began the game for the Desert Dogs with four hitless innings, but allowed a run on two walks while striking out three. No. 12 Orioles prospect Parker Bridwell kept the no-hit bid going for two more frames, but also allowed a run on three walks while striking out two.

"(They're) really good arms. They're a couple of good pitchers hitting their spots and throwing everything for strikes," Austin said. "But we didn't give up. We kept battling and we came out on top."

Dante Bichette Jr. (Yankees) broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single in the seventh, eventually crossing the plat on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Logan Moore (Phillies). Scottsdale regained the lead with a four-run eighth, sparked by a leadoff single from Austin. The No. 3 hitter in the lineup came around to score on a single by third-ranked Pirates prospect Josh Bell.

"Nobody on the team felt like we were going to lose the game, honestly. We got down early and fought back made it a good game. It was a quality win," Austin said. "We faced some really good pitching today and came out on top. That team we played is a really good team. They have a lot of quality players."

Garabez Rosa (Orioles) belted a two-run homer for the Desert Dogs, while top Brewers prospect Tyrone Tayler, No. 9 Dodgers prospect Scott Schebler and Nick Ramirez (Brewers) each chipped in an RBI.

Seventh-ranked Giants prospect Clayton Blackburn (1-0) worked around one hit over two innings of relief and Adrian Sampson -- Pittsburgh's No. 19 prospect -- followed with a hitless ninth for the save.