Marte collects six RBIs in marathon

All it took was one game for Starling Marte to triple his RBI total for the season.

Starling Marte had three hits, including a bases-loaded triple in the 15th inning, and plated a career-high six runs on Friday as the Altoona Curve outlasted the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 11-5.

Marte didn't drive in his first run of the night until the seventh, when he singled home Eric Fryer. Batting in the ninth with the Curve trailing by two runs, he tied the game with another base hit.

"The pitcher was just throwing fastballs on the first pitch to the batters ahead of me and I noticed that, so when it was my turn I was looking for that. And when he threw it to me, I swung at it," Marte said through teammate and translator Jose Hernandez.

The 22-year-old outfielder capped Altoona's six-run 15th with a bases-clearing triple and scored on a throwing error by right fielder Mike McBryde.

Marte had only three RBIs in his first 12 games but was batting .364 with five stolen bases and five runs scored. He extended his hitting streak to 11 games and has reached safely in all 13 contests this season.

"I just go up there and look for a fastball. And when I'm up there, I let it loose and I swing at it," said Marte, whose previous career high was four RBIs.

Marte has made steady progress since signing with the Pirates as a non-drafted free agent in January 2007, raising his batting average and stolen base total every year.

"Giving it all I got every game and to be focused and get to the big leagues, that's my goal," he said. "I don't know when, but whenever they call me, I'll be ready."

Quincy Latimore reached base four times and drove in two runs, while Fryer went 3-for-6 with three runs scored for the Curve.