Sand Gnats' Taijeron keeps producing

Travis Taijeron's recent hot streak has put him near the top of several South Atlantic League offensive categories. He's hoping he won't be there for long.

The Mets prospect went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs Saturday, extending his RBI streak to six games and helping the Class A Savannah Sand Gnats to a 5-3 victory over the Lakewood BlueClaws.

Taijeron, a 2011 18th-round Draft pick, kept the streak alive with a two-run single in the fifth inning. He almost picked up another RBI with a single in the third, but Camden Maron was thrown out at the plate.

"I'm just going up there and feeling good right now," Taijeron said. "I'm trying to get my pitch to hit every single at-bat, basically. I'm looking for the fastball as much as I can. I've been seeing a little more off-speed [stuff] lately, but when pitchers throw me a fastball, I've been trying to capitalize."

Taijeron, the 2011 California Collegiate Athletic Association Male Athlete of the Year, is wrapping up a stellar week. In his past six games, he's had 14 hits, including seven for extra bases, 13 RBIs and nine runs scored.

"The key is that people have been getting on base in front of me," the 23-year-old outfielder said. "We have a great hitting ballclub here, and it's really because of my teammates that I am able to get the pitches that I am."

Taijeron's play has vaulted him to the top of the league in several offensive categories. The California native is tied for third with a 1.066 OPS, ranks second with seven homers, fourth with 60 total bases and sixth with 23 RBIs.

"My goals are to just move up to the next level and keep working hard," he said. "I challenge myself to get better, whether it's reads off the bat or just hit in the cage before every game. There is so much room for improvement in baseball; no one is perfect."

T.J. Rivera went 1-for-2, walked twice, scored a run and raised his average to .364 for the Sand Gnats, who have won a season-high six straight games to climb within two games of first place in the Southern Division.

"Having [Rivera] in front of you, that's a blessing," Taijeron said. "He's always getting on base."

Michael Fulmer (1-2), a 2011 first-round pick, earned his first pro win after limiting the BlueClaws to two hits and striking out five over five shutout innings.