![]() Brandon Belt hit his first big league homer April 1 against the Dodgers. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Belt collected four hits, including a double, and plated a pair of runs to lead Triple-A Fresno to a 6-0 win over Colorado Springs.
MLB.com's 26 prospect singled in his first two-at bats before doubling to right field to extend the Grizzlies' lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning. The 23-year-old left fielder scored on Brett Pill's single to cap the team's four-run frame.
"Getting my timing down, starting early, and seeing the ball all the way in (was the key)," Belt said. "Fortunately I put some good wood on some good pitches."
A natural first baseman, Belt has spent most of his time playing left field for the Grizzlies. He said proving he can be flexible as a position player can only help him get back to the Majors faster.
"I think that's something they wanted me to work on, just to open some doors when they call me back up," Belt said. "Right now I don't care where they put me as long as I can get out there and play some ball.
"I played there before when I was high school. It's obviously a little different right now, there are some adjustments to be made but I think it just comes with repetition. Right now, so far so good."
A fifth-round pick in 2009 by the Giants, Belt opened the season in San Francisco after just one season in the Minors. The Texas native struggled against Major League pitching, batting .192 with a homer and four RBIs in 17 games.
"I think I just need to be relaxed and as comfortable as possible and not put too much pressure on myself," Belt said. "I think when I try to tweak too much things go south."
Belt said going yard against Dodgers' right-hander Chad Billingsley has been the highlight of his time in the bigs to date.
"That home run at Dodgers Stadium, it was a good experience for me. It was a lot of fun," Belt said. "When I first hit it, I was pretty sure it was gone but I saw (Matt Kemp) tracking it at the wall. Once I saw it go over, it was a huge relief. Other than that, Opening Day. Getting to be there for that was a dream come true."
In nine games with the Grizzlies, Belt is batting .517 with two homers, 10 RBIs and three stolen bases.
Belt had an impressive season in the Minors last year, batting .352 at three stops. He was one of two players to have 20 homers, 20 doubles and 20 steals, joining Clinton's Nick Franklin. Belt also drove in 112 runs and drew 92 walks, and led the Minors with a 1.075 OPS.
Brock Bond was 3-for-5 with an RBI and Jackson Williams reached base twice and scored two runs.
Andrew Kown (3-2) struck out four and allowed three hits over seven innings for the win.
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