Russell tees off two more times

The California League is supposed to be great for hitters. It's been exceptional for Kyle Russell of late.

Russell went yard twice Monday on a three-RBI night in Class A Advanced Inland Empire's 4-2 victory over Rancho Cucamonga.

The 66ers' slugging right fielder has six homers in the past six games and seven over his last 10.

During the 10-game span, he is batting .405 with 20 RBIs. For the season, he is hitting .341 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.

Russell is tied for the California League lead in homers with Rich Poythress of High Desert and is tied with Poythress for second in RBIs, behind High Desert's Nate Tenbrink (42). He is second in total bases (107) behind Tenbrink (113).

The left-handed Russell was a third-round Draft pick in 2008 out of the University of Texas. He spent 2009 with Great Lakes in the Class A Midwest League, where he batted .272 with 26 home runs and 102 RBIs in 133 games. He was named a postseason All-Star with the Rookie-level Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League in 2008.

Inland Empire has won six of its last nine games after an 11-game losing streak.