Robinson caps crazy 24 hours for Ports

It's been a crazy 26 hours for Dusty Robinson.

The A's outfield prospect accumulated five hits -- including a homer and three doubles -- four RBIs, four runs scored, two walks and two stolen bases in two games for Stockton. And that's just what he did as a position player.

For the first time since Little League, Robinson made his way to the pitcher's mound late Thursday night. Six warmup tosses later and he was ready for his professional pitching debut.

"I was kind of nervous, didn't want to not throw strikes," he said. "I feel great today, could pitch again, but I didn't want to go 18 innings."

Called upon in the 18th inning of the Ports' series opener with Visalia, Robinson pitched a scoreless frame and earned the win.

"It was a great experience," he said.

On Friday night, the 24-year-old outfielder was able to use all of his focus at the plate as he slugged a three-run homer and fell a triple shy of the cycle in Stockton's 9-4 triumph over the Rawhide.

"I was working on a new stance this offseason, working with a hitting coach on getting comfortable and not chasing pitches like I used to," Robinson said. "I'm trying to not miss pitches and [to] get good hitter's counts."

Those adjustments came after he batted .210/.279/.395 with 146 strikeouts in 123 games last season for the Ports.

Given a bit of a breather as manager Ryan Christenson's designated hitter, Robinson sparked a five-run first inning with a three-run blast, his second of the season. He singled to set up another run in the second, then doubled, stole a base and scored in the seventh.

The 2011 10th-round Draft pick has hit safely in all six games he's started and is batting .435 with a 1.393 OPS.

Shortstop Chad Pinder followed Robinson's first-inning homer with a solo shot and also went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

"He is swinging the bat well," Robinson said. "He is working hard in the cages and I'm glad it's paying off."

Starter Shawn Haviland (1-1) earned the Ports' second win in less than 24 hours, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out four over six innings.

Michael Ynoa, the A's No. 11 prospect, left with an apparent injury after throwing only three pitches in the seventh for Stockton.

Visalia's Hector Hernandez (1-1) surrendered seven runs on 10 hits and three walks and two strikeouts in five innings. The 23-year-old southpaw tossed six shutout frames in his season debut on April 6.