Kivlehan plates four for AFL RBI lead

Patrick Kivlehan's 2014 season began with 35 RBIs in 34 games. It might be unfair to say he cooled with 68 over his last 104 games, but he's back to that highly productive form in the Arizona Fall League.

The Mariners' No. 6 prospect tripled in two runs and singled in another pair to assume the AFL RBI lead en route to Surprise's 8-0 blanking of Scottsdale on Wednesday.

Kivlehan got the Saguaros off to an early lead with his two-run single to left field in the first inning and then added the two-RBI triple to center -- his first three-bagger of the fall -- in the fourth.

"I didn't think I got it that well," the 24-year-old third baseman said of his triple. "When I saw [Phillies' No. 5 prospect Roman] Quinn running, I knew he was fast. I had a strong feeling he was going to catch it, but he didn't. I had to turn it into second gear. I don't have third or fourth gear anymore, but I turned it into second gear and I was able to get to third."

After totaling 103 RBIs across Class A Advanced High Desert and Double-A Jacksonville, the New York native leads the circuit with 22 RBIs over 23 games tops the AFL. After scoring one run Wednesday, Kivlehan is also tied for the AFL lead in runs scored with 19 with Quinn and Yankees' No. 11 prospect Greg Bird.

"I love it so far. We've got a good group of guys, so it makes it a lot better. Everyone is out here having fun and trying to win some ballgames," he said. "It wouldn't be as much fun if we didn't have such a good group of guys. I think that's the main thing."

Rangers' fourth-ranked prospect Nick Williams also smacked a three-run triple and Kyle Waldrop (Reds) added an an RBI single for Surprise.

Trea Turner, the Padres' fifth-ranked prospect, collected two singles and swiped two bags for the Saguaros, giving him 10 knocks and five steals over his last four games.

Surprise pitchers held Scottsdale to two hits, starting with Keith Couch (3-2). The Red Sox right-hander tossed four one-hit frames while fanning three and walking two.

The Saguaros took a one-game lead over the Javelinas in the West Division and will face Peoria on Thursday in the final matchup before the Championship Game on Saturday.

"We know we hold our fate in our hands," Kivlehan said. "We've just got to come out and win some games. We knew that coming into today, and we just wanted to take care of business and have fun doing it. We've got one more game, and whatever happens, happens."

Top Pirates prospect Tyler Glasnow (1-2) got off to a rough start for Scottsdale, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over two innings.