Ambort's three homers power Volcanoes

With each swing, Michael Ambort further distanced himself from what's been a frustrating and injury-plagued start to his career.

Ambort hit three homers and drove in a career-high six runs Friday to power the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to a 9-6 triumph over the Boise Hawks at Memorial Stadium.

"It's been a kind of a bumpy road, so hopefully now everything will smooth out," he said. "Third time's a charm."

The Giants' sixth-round pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, launched a three-run blast in the seventh and capped his night with solo shot in the ninth. He also singled in the fifth, going 4-for-5 to raise his average to .315.

"It felt good," said Ambort, who's had three surgeries on his right elbow in the last two years. "I've been struggling with injuries and it's been tough on me, so it really felt good."

The 23-year-old switch-hitter's three-run drive in the seventh snapped a 5-5 tie after the Hawks had rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth. His solo homer two innings later came after Boise tacked on a final run in the eighth.

"I was sitting on a fastball and I got that pitch," he said of the record-tying shot. "I got that pitch didn't miss it."

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Ambort has seven hits, including four homers, and nine RBIs in his last two starts.

"All this hard work I've put in, getting healthy, it's finally coming together," he said. "I'm starting to get quality ABs. Everything is going real good."

It was his first multi-homer game and first four-hit effort.

"It was a very exciting night for me," he added. "I was very happy with everything."

Yakima's Collin Cowgill was the last Northwest Leaguer to hit three homers in a game on July 2 against Spokane. The record is four homers, set by Spokane's Brandon Cashman on June 28, 2004.

"You're always going to be aware about [the record], but you never think it will happen to you," Ambort said. "I got good pitches to hit tonight. It was one of those nights when you feel good as a hitter. Hopefully, I have more nights like that this year."

Ambort's previous high was four RBIs on July 10 against Yakima.

"I got the pitches to hit, I was able to square them up," he said.

"I was not thinking about a home run in my last at-bat, I was looking for a ball to drive. I had a couple runners on, and he gave me a fastball hit. I got a good piece of it and it went out."

Ambort's big night was the culmination of a long struggle to return to top shape. He underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on March 6, 2006, had a second procedure to repair nerve damage last August and had his elbow cleaned out on March 5.

"It's been a long road," he admitted. "I'm really starting to feel healthy and I'm coming back really well. Hopefully, I can keep this going."

The Rockville Centre, N.Y. native had 17 RBIs in 20 games for the Volcanoes last year after appearing in four Arizona League contests.

"It's a little familiar, but it's definitely not anything like New York," he said. "I enjoy it out here, it's a great bunch of guys on the team. It's still a game and we still have fun with it. That's what it's all about."

Reliever Wilber Bucardo (4-5) allowed three runs -- one earned -- on four hits over 2 1/3 innings to pick up the win for Salem-Keizer. Justin Fitzgerald retired the final four batters to notch his second save.

Andrew Cashner (0-1) was reached for four runs on six hits over three innings of relief for Boise.