Sounds' Olson drills four hits on breakout night

Since coming back from the big leagues on Thursday, Matt Olson has hit like a player who wants to get back there.
The A's No. 17 prospect collected a season-high four hits, including a double, and two RBIs, in Triple-A Nashville's 10-2 thumping of New Orleans on Saturday at First Tennessee Park.

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Olson singled to left field in the second inning after 20th-ranked A's prospect Renato Núñez gave the Sounds the lead with a solo homer. The first baseman extended the cushion to three with a two-run single to right with two outs in the third.
Olson stayed hot by doubling to right in the fifth and singling up the middle in the sixth before striking out in the eighth.
"I've steadily been feeling better as the season has gone one," the Atlanta native said. "I had a couple balls find holes and fall for me tonight. It was a good night."
It was Olson's first four-hit game since last May 24 at Las Vegas.

Optioned back to the Pacific Coast League following a six-day stint with the big league club, the 23-year-old is 5-for-9 with a homer and three RBIs in his last two games.
"I wouldn't say that necessarily contributed to me swinging it well the last couple nights, but aside from the swing, it's always nice going up there and being around the big league clubhouse and the winning atmosphere," Olson said. "It gives you a little sight of what you're striving for and the way the game is played, the way these guys go about their business."
Even before heading to Oakland, Olson had shown signs of breaking out of an early-season slump. Since going 7-for-39 (.179) in his first 11 games this season, the 47th overall pick in the 2012 Draft is 9-for-21 (.429) while hitting safely in each of his last five PCL contests. He's raised his average 88 points over the second half of April to a season-best .267.
Now that he's gotten a chance to contribute in the Majors, Olson said he hopes he can continue to hit his way back.
"The motivation is always there," he said. "But to be up there and see the visual of it and then come back down here, it's kind of just a reminder of what you're striving for and to really keep working."

Despite sitting in a tie with Tacoma for the fewest runs scored (84) in the PCL, Nashville produced a season-high 10 in front of a sellout crowd of 10,672 on Saturday. A's top prospect Franklin Barreto collected three hits and two RBIs while scoring twice and Mark Canha drove in three runs with a pair of doubles.
Sounds starter Chris Smith (1-1) scattered three hits and a walk while striking out three over six scoreless frames. Nashville starters have not given up a run in their last 17 innings.
Baby Cakes starter Vance Worley (1-3) surrendered six runs on nine hits and a walk with two strikeouts in four innings.