Andrew Benintendi is starting to figure out double-A pitching after initially struggling since being called up last month.
The former Arkansas centerfielder hit just .205 in his first 20 games with Double-A Portland, despite hitting .341 in 34 games at Single A-Advanced Salem to start the season.
In his last seven games, though, he has raised his average 50 points. Including last night's 2-for-4 performance, which included an eighth-inning go-ahead RBI double, Benintendi is hitting .393 during that span.
He also has five multi-hit games during the stretch, after having only four in the first 20 games. Three doubles and two home runs - his only long balls at double-A - have helped raise his slugging percentage 114 points, to .396, which is third on the team among players with at least 40 at bats.
Despite the recent surge, Benintendi is still struggling with strikeouts. He struck out in only 6.7 percent of his at bats at Salem, but that rate has ballooned to 17 percent at Portland.
Overall, Benintendi has a .255 batting average with two home runs and 15 RBIs in 27 games at double-A.