Montero's bat remains scalding hot

With September right around the corner, Jesus Montero's tenure with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees could be coming to a close. If he does get called up to "The Show," Montero is making a lasting impression in the International League, or at least on Rochester.

The Yankees' No. 1 prospect homered twice and drove in all Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's runs as the Triple-A club beat the Rochester Red Wings, 4-1, on Thursday.

The Venezuelan native hit two-run homers in the bottom of the first and seventh innings. He also walked in the fifth.

Over his last four games, the 21-year-old is 7-for-18 with four home runs and 11 RBIs.

"I've been working on something that Alex [Rodriguez] taught me the other day when he was here [on rehab]," Montero said. "I'm going to the cage and working on that, throwing my hands to the ball and swinging a lot better.

"He told me to 'Relax, see the ball and hit it hard. Don't put pressure on yourself. Just go out there and have fun.'"

Montero, who was signed by New York as an non-drafted free agent in October 2006, is expected to be promoted to the Major Leagues when rosters expand next week.

He also called a good game behind the plate. D.J. Mitchell (11-9) allowed one earned run on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings to earn his seventh win in his last nine decisions. He struck out six and walked one.

"He was commanding his fastball really well," Montero said. "We got a lot of outs with his sinker especially. We're on the same page when we work together."

Brian Dinkelman drove in Rochester's only run with a sixth-inning single.

The Yankees swept the six-game series with Rochester.