Lindor continues hot-hitting ways

Francisco Lindor is letting his bat back up his words, much to the chagrin of Carolina League pitchers.

The Indians' top prospect recorded his first career four-hit game Friday night in Class A Advanced Carolina's 4-3, 11-inning loss to visiting Frederick.

Lindor tripled and singled three times, driving in a run and scoring another. It was the third time in four games that the 2011 first-round pick had a multi-hit game, totaling 10 hits during that stretch.

"I was trying to do whatever it takes to help the team," Lindor said. "I was trying to get on base and I was seeing the ball well and I hit a couple of good ones. I was feeling pretty good today."

The 19-year-old shortstop ranks second in the Carolina League with a .365 average, leads the circuit with 38 hits, is tied for the lead with four triples and ranks fourth with a .538 slugging percentage. He's opened the season with hits in 20 of his first 27 games.

"I'm just trying to be more consistent with my game, stay aggressive at the plate and swing at the good pitches," Lindor said. "I believe when you start chasing you get in trouble. So I'm staying within myself and hitting the good pitches."

After going 3-for-4 in the Mudcats' season opener, Lindor talked about the confidence he has in himself at the plate, saying "I'm a great hitter. If I'm not a better hitter than fielder, it's close. I was always taught to believe that I can hit." That feeling hasn't changed, especially after his torrid start.

"I believe I'm a good hitter," Lindor said. "I've definitely got room to work with, like every other baseball player, but I feel great at the plate and feel confident in my hitting. I can hit. I'm a good hitter. I'm very confident, and that's one of the biggest keys -- having confidence in your fielding, hitting and running."

Lindor chose not to set any statistical goals for the season, instead keeping things simple. And close.

"I'm just trying to stay consistent," he said. "That's my goal, to stay consistent. That's the main goal, I even have it written in my glove, 'Lindor/BC' -- Be Consistent."

Despite his individual performance, the Puerto Rico native wasn't satisfied.

"Today, I'm not very happy. We lost," Lindor said. "We lost today, so at the end of the day, I don't care what I did. We lost."

Jerrud Sabourin chipped in two hits and an RBI to raise his average to .351 for the Mudcats.

Frederick's Zane Chavez capped a two-RBI night by hitting a go-ahead double in the 11th.