Homer-happy Gallo goes yard again

When it comes to home runs, Joey Gallo has a philosophy akin to Ivan Drago's.

The Rangers' second-ranked prospect slugged a two-run shot to extend his Minor League lead and help Double-A Frisco rally past visiting San Antonio, 7-4, on Friday night.

Gallo also walked and scored twice. In the third inning, he took a 1-2 pitch from Missions starter James Needy and sent it the opposite way over the left-center field fence at Dr Pepper Ballpark. It extended his home run streak to three games.

"I think it was a slider on the outside corner, it was a pretty good pitch," Gallo said. "I was able to flick it the other way and I got enough of it to get it out. I knew I hit it good enough to have a shot to get out."

After enduring a nine-game home run drought, the 20-year-old third baseman has gone on a tear, homering in four of his last five games while driving in 11 runs.

"Just been taking good swings," Gallo said. "Obviously for me, I'm pretty streaky with that. I think it was nine games without a home run and I was kind of due. I was feeling good at the plate and taking really good swings, and now it's translating at the plate.

"I don't really worry about the home runs too much -- if they come, then they come. I was struggling a little bit, slumping, kind of got out of it now. I hope I can keep that going."

Gallo has reclaimed the Minor League with 35 homers, two more than Triple-A Iowa's Kris Bryant. He still leads the Carolina League with 21 homers, despite having not played a game at that level since June 6. The 2014 Futures Game MVP also is tied for third in the Texas League with 14 homers in 39 games.

With nearly six weeks to go in the season, MLB.com's No. 72 overall prospect stands a good chance of eclipsing the 40 homers he hit last year.

"There's a good chance," Gallo said. "I have a lot of games left. Hopefully, I do; that'll be great. I think I'll be able to if I keep swinging the bat well. I'm not too worried about all that. I just go out and play and at the end of the year, the numbers will be where they are."

Frisco's J.T. Wise broke an eighth-inning tie with a three-run shot and Hanser Alberto contributed two hits and two RBIs.

Reliever Kyle Lotzkar (3-2) got the win after allowing a run on one hits in two innings.

Cory Spangenberg was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs for the Missions.