Kivlehan finds comfort zone with Generals

Adjusting to a new clubhouse can make the transition to a new league and new level even tougher. But for Patrick Kivlehan, it's almost like he's back with his former team.

Playing with his manager and 14 teammates from last season, the Mariners' 16th-ranked prospect collected a career-high three doubles and drove in two runs Tuesday night in Double-A Jackson's 9-6 triumph over Huntsville.

"It was a good game, kind of one of those games where everything was going my way," Kivlehan said. "I got lucky and got a couple off the end of the bat that fell into gaps, and I was able to get to second."

Coming off a stretch of three hitless games, the 2012 fourth-round pick went 3-for-4 with a walk in his 15th multi-hit contest of the season and fourth since he was promoted from Class A Advanced High Desert last month.

After hitting .282 with nine homers and 35 RBIs in 34 California League games, Kivlehan moved up to Jackson, where he joined many familiar faces, including Jim Horner, his manager a year ago in High Desert.

"It was nice to come into the clubhouse and know guys," the 24-year-old third baseman said. "Instead of getting here and not knowing anyone or having to fit in with the guys or figure out what the coach thinks of you, you have the groundwork, you know what's what."

The comfortable clubhouse has eased the transition to a new league. But Kivlehan had just one double in his first 22 Southern League games. And Tuesday's big night raised his average to .238 with 12 RBIs.

"It's taking some time to get adjusted to the league and style of play and the pitching, but when it comes down to it, it's baseball and there's just an adjustment period," the New York native said. "One thing I've learned in the Southern League is that even if you hit it hard, it can be right at someone."

Manny Pina reached base three times and scored twice for the Generals, while Daniel Paolini delivered a two-run single.

Reliever Kyle Hunter (1-1) picked up his first win of the season after allowing a run on one hit and three walks with one strikeout over 2 2/3 frames. Richard Vargas worked two innings and Stephen Kohlscheen recorded the last out for his fifth save.

In his Southern League debut, Huntsville starter Jed Bradley (0-1) yielded six runs -- four earned -- on nine hits and three walks while striking out two over four innings. The 23-year-old left-hander went 5-2 with a 2.98 ERA for Class A Advanced Brevard County before getting promoted.