Bulls' Robertson finds winning groove

On Tuesday, Daniel Robertson delivered the game-winning hit in the 14th inning for Triple-A Durham. Twenty-four hours later, the Rays' 10th-ranked prospect carried that momentum with him, going 4-for-4 with a double and RBI, to lead the Bulls to a 5-2 win over Toledo at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

"Whether it's a good game or a bad game, you can learn from it," Robertson said. "I kind of had a rough start to yesterday's game and then was able to get that walk-off single and kept that same approach from that last at-bat last night and carried it into today."

The 2012 first-round pick started his Wednesday night with a single to left field leading off the third inning. He ripped a double to left in the fifth for his second hit off Mud Hens starter Warwick Saupold (3-2). Robertson said he watched as the crafty Australian right-hander stymied the Bulls early.

"He was doing a great job," Robertson said. "I was hitting eighth in the order today, so I got to watch a couple of innings and see how he was attacking guys. It looked like he was trying to get ahead early with his fastball and then after that I saw he was throwing a lot of changeups and cutters. So I just tried not to do too much with it and let the count get deep."

Robertson continued swinging a hot bat in the sixth when contributed an RBI single as part of a four-run outburst. He finished his perfect night at the dish with a single to center in the eighth that culminated a seven-pitch at-bat against reliever Drake Britton.

"I like to try to work counts and make sure I'm getting something in my zone and my approach," the 22-year-old infielder said. "Sometimes that's also my worst enemy as well and I get too passive, but tonight I forgot about that and the first thing I saw in the zone I took a hack at it and put some good swings on the ball."

In 91 games for Durham, Robertson is slashing .259/.344/.341 with four homers and 36 RBIs, but he said he feels he's doing his best work on the other side of the ball. Drafted as a shortstop by the A's, he's seen time this season at second base, short, and third.

"Defense has been my high point in this season so far," the California native said. "It's been awesome to move from third to second to short. I love moving around because it makes me more versatile, and down the road it makes me a little more valuable. I feel great at all three positions and I've been doing a lot of work. I'm really satisfied with the leap I've taken with my defense and my ability to play three different positions."

Casey Gillaspie went 3-for-4 and scored a run for the Bulls' The Rays' No. 9 prospect is hitting .286 with a homer and three RBIs in 11 games since a promotion from Double-A Montgomery.

"He's got a Major League approach," Roberston said of Gillaspie. "The guy walks a ton and has a great feel for the zone with a sweet swing from both sides of the plate and plays the heck out of first base."

Rays No. 11 prospect Jaime Schultz allowed a run on four hits and four walks while striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings for the Bulls. Neil Wagner (1-1) retired two batters for the win, giving up a run on one hit, and Tyler Sturdivant worked around a pair of hits in the ninth for his his third save.