Robles rejoins Chiefs with a vengeance

It didn't take long for Victor Robles to reacclimate himself to the Triple-A level.  
After an elbow injury shelved him for three months and he rehabbed in the New York-Penn League, the Nationals' top prospect homered and reached base four times in his first game back with Syracuse, which outslugged Durham, 10-8, on Friday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. 

"It was a very impressive night for Victor," Chiefs hitting coach Brian Daubach said. "We're excited to have him back. He's excited to be here. Hopefully, we can get on a roll."
Gameday box score
Leading off for the Chiefs, Robles drew a five-pitch walk against rehabbing Rays right-hander Jake Faria. MLB.com's No. 5 overall prospect stole second, but was thrown out trying to swipe third with one out.
Robles led off the third inning with a solo shot, fouling off two pitches before sending Faria's fifth offering over the towering fence in left-center. 
"It was a slider, maybe a little bit up," Daubach said. "He was trying to stay in the middle of the field. He got a slider up in the zone and it carried out of the ballpark. Really good approach throughout the night. He had some really good swings on some fastballs to the pull side, controlled the zone very well for his first game back, stole a couple bases." 

In the fifth, the 21-year-old lined a double to left and scored on Yadiel Hernandez's single up the middle. Facing reliever Forrest Snow with two runners on in the sixth, Robles worked an eight-pitch at-bat before grounding into a forceout and swiping second.
The thefts and power hitting illustrate what the 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder can bring to the table.
"He has all the tools," Daubach said. "We're happy to have him healthy. We just want to keep him continuing to progress and help our big league club someday."
The 2017 Futures Game selection came up with the bases loaded and none out in the eighth and lined an RBI single to left off right-hander Mike Franco for his third hit of the game, much to the delight of Daubach.
"It was like he didn't miss anything," the hitting coach said. "He obviously missed 100 games, but I think we did the right thing being careful with it and making sure he was healthy. He did great tonight. He's a big spark to the team. He brings a lot of energy and a lot of excitement to the bench. We needed it in a tough game tonight." 
Robles suffered a hyperextended left elbow on April 9 against Rochester when he dived for a shallow pop fly in the second inning. Four days later, the Nationals placed him on the disabled list, retroactive to April 10. The injury did not require surgery but necessitated a lengthy DL stint.
"Everybody's excited to have him back," Daubach said. "Obviously, the results were there. Even in batting practice, he looked like his old self and what I remember from Spring Training and early in the season. I know he's been out quite a while and he's excited to get back, but he did a great job with the rehab and going through his rehab games. He was obviously ready to go."

In Daubach's opinion, Robles showed no lingering effects of the injury.
"It was full-go in the batting cages even before batting practice," he said. "It was full-go all day. I think, if anything, he got stronger during the time off." 
The native of the Dominican Republic returned to action on July 7 and hit .333 in three games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before joining Class A Short Season Auburn. As a September callup to the Majors last season, Robles was 6-for-24 with two triples, a double and four RBIs. In five games with the Chiefs this season, the 2013 international signee has eight hits,12 total bases and three walks in 17 at-bats.
Chiefs first baseman Chris Dominguez was 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. 
No. 12 Rays prospectBrandon Lowe homered, doubled and drove in three runs for the Bulls.