Pedroza homers in fourth straight

Held back by an injury and blurry vision, Sergio Pedroza has struggled much of the season. Now he's seeing the ball better than anyone in the Florida State League.

The 23-year-old homered in his fourth straight game to power Vero Beach over visiting Clearwater, 6-4, on Tuesday.

Pedroza's blast, his 19th, gave the Devil Rays (11-30) a 4-1 lead in the seventh. The designated hitter/outfielder, who tied Daytona's Kyle Reynolds for the league lead in July with eight homers, has 11 RBIs over his last four games.

"I feel good," said Pedroza, whom Tampa acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Joel Guzman for Julio Lugo on July 31, 2006. "I'm back to being me."

The third-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft didn't start off the season playing nearly as well. He hit just .163 without a home run in 47 April at-bats as he battled the effects of a "messed-up wrist."

"It was really bad. It wasn't strong," explained Pedroza, who said he rushed back to the lineup too soon. "If I swung too hard, I'd have throbbing pain. I was getting myself in bad habits."

To make matters worse, Pedroza realized his contact lens prescription was too weak for his eyes, making every pitch "a blur."

"I was having a couple of problems with my vision," said Pedroza. "My contacts kept popping out. The ball was just white, it was a blur." When he addressed the problem with an eye doctor, he quickly began hitting the ball with authority.

"I could see the seams again. It helps when you can see the ball," Pedroza quipped. Problem solved, he has raised his batting average from .256 on July 3 to .290 while slugging 12 home runs. The hot streak has Pedroza thinking he's ready for the next step in his development.

"I've been waiting [for the promotion to Double-A]," he said. "I'm going to keep hitting the ball hard. I know I'm ready."

Patrick Cottrell launched a two-run homer, his ninth, in the first, and J.T. Hall smacked a two-run shot, his seventh, in the sixth.

Vero Beach starter Doug Waechter (1-4) gave up one run on six hits while striking out five without a walk in six frames. Kevin Lynn walked one and struck out one in the ninth for his fourth save.

Threshers starter Alexander Concepcion (2-3) surrendered five runs -- four earned -- on five hits while striking out four and walking one in 5 1/3 innings.

Brad Harman and Brian Burgamy drew bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning for Clearwater (24-17). Lou Marson added an RBI groundout.--Ryan McConnell/MLB.com