Buxton reaches seven times in sweep
Hitting streak over? No problem. Byron Buxton will just start a new one.
The Twins' top prospect reached base seven times and scored three runs Friday as Class A Advanced Fort Myers swept a doubleheader from St. Lucie, winning the opener, 9-8, and taking the nightcap, 3-2.
After having his 13-game hitting streak snapped by Charlotte on Wednesday, Buxton collected two hits, including a triple, and scored twice in the first game as the lead changed hands five times. He singled and drew two more walks in the finale.
The doubleheader was a microcosm of how August has transpired for the 19-year-old outfielder. In 19 games this month, he's batting .417 -- which ranks seventh among all Minor Leaguers -- with 15 walks, 13 stolen bases and 14 runs scored.
MLB.com's top overall prospect began the season with Class A Cedar Rapids, where he batted .341 with 33 extra-base hits, 55 RBIs, 68 runs scored and 32 steals in 68 games. Despite being one of the youngest players in the Florida State League, Buxton has not missed a beat with a .324 average in 47 games.
Overall, the Georgia native leads the Minors with 17 triples, ranks third with 102 runs scored and has a .334 batting average and .954 OPS.
Buxton is heating up again as the FSL playoffs approach. Fort Myers secured a postseason spot by virtue of winning the South Division first-half title. The 2012 first-round pick got a taste of the playoffs last summer with Elizabethton, hitting .208 with a .367 OBP as the Twins' Rookie-level affiliate captured the Appalachian League championship.
Mike Kvasnicka went 3-for-4 with three RBIs as the Miracle rallied in the seventh and eighth to tie the opener before winning on a fielder's choice by Jhon Goncalves. Matthew Summers (5-5) gave up two runs on two hits over six innings to get the win in the second game.
Robert Emrich is a contributor to MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobertEmrich.