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Marte's multi-hit streak reaches seven
Pirates prospect goes 2-for-4, homers, hikes average to .287
07/01/2012 10:44 PM ET
Starling Marte batted .325 with 28 RBIs in 29 games last month.
Starling Marte batted .325 with 28 RBIs in 29 games last month. (Carl Kline/MiLB.com)
Starling Marte got hot in June and he's showing no signs of cooling off in July.

The Pirates' No. 3 prospect went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs on Sunday as Triple-A Indianapolis posted a rain-shortened 8-3 victory at Louisville.

It was Marte's seventh consecutive multi-hit game and eighth in his last nine contests. Over that seven-game stretch, he's batting .484 (15-for-31) with three homers, two triples, two doubles, 13 RBIs and nine runs scored. No Minor Leaguer has as many total bases as Marte's 30 during that span.

It didn't take long for the 23-year-old outfielder to extend his run Sunday. He lined a single to center field off Bats starter Tim Gustafson in the opening inning to score Gorkys Hernandez with the game's first run. Two innings later, Marte smacked a solo homer to center off Gustafson. He popped out and grounded out in his final two at-bats.

The effort came a day after Marte was 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored against Louisville.

Marte's .287 average is at its highest point since April 28, when it stood at .288. After batting .236 in May, he hit .325 with four homers and 28 RBIs in June.

The native of the Dominican Republic and reigning Eastern League batting champion, he told MiLB.com last week that he needed some time to adjust to Triple-A.

"I feel more comfortable here now," said MLB.com's No. 32 overall prospect. "I've been putting in a lot of hard work, especially with my strike-zone discipline and my ability to pick up breaking pitches. I was nervous at the beginning of the year, but I definitely feel more comfortable at the plate."

Chase d'Arnaud added a solo homer and stole two bases out of the leadoff spot for Indianapolis. The older brother of top Blue Jays prospect Travis d'Arnaud is a perfect 22-for-22 on the basepaths and has not been caught stealing since Sept. 26, when he was with the Pirates.

Rudy Owens (7-3), Pittsburgh's No. 12 prospect, allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and two walks while striking out five to get the win.

Sam Dykstra is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
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