News
McOwen hits in 30 straight in Cal League
Mariners prospect stretches streak with bunt single
By Mason Kelley / Special to MLB.com
06/20/09 2:33 AM ET
James McOwen knows his hitting streak is going to end, and that's OK. But until that happens, he's going to enjoy the ride."It could end tomorrow," the High Desert Mavericks right fielder said. "It could end two weeks from now, but from here on out, it's pretty much all bonus."
The 23-year-old hit the 30-game mark Friday, but the Inland Empire 66ers rallied for four runs in the ninth inning and walked off with a 6-4 victory over the first-place Mavericks.
McOwen is tied with Quintin Berry for the Minors' longest hit streak in two years and is getting closer to the California League record of 35 games, shared by Bakersfield's Chris Davis (2007) and Modesto's Brent Gates (1992).
Click for the Minors' longest hitting streaks >
| Streaking in the Minors | ||||
| The longest hitting streaks in the Minors in the past 20 years: | ||||
# | Player | Team (League) | Year | |
43 | Brandon Watson | Columbus (IL) | 2007 | |
38 | Mitch Hilligoss | Charleston (SAL) | 2007 | |
37 | Joey Cora | Las Vegas (PCL) | 1989 | |
35 | Chris Davis | Bakersfield (CAL) | 2007 | |
35 | Brent Gates | Modesto (CAL) | 1992 | |
35 | Scott Seabol | Greensboro (SAL) | 1999 | |
33 | Mat Gamel | Brevard County (FSL) | 2007 | |
33 | Corey Myers | Lancaster (CAL) | 2002 | |
32 | Chris Valaika | Billings (PIO) | 2006 | |
32 | Dave Doster | Fresno (PCL) | 2004 | |
32 | Lance Downing | Diamondbacks (AZL) | 1997 | |
32 | Robert Fick | West Michigan (MWL) | 1997 | |
31 | Casey Blake | Dunedin (FSL) | 1998 | |
31 | Jeremy Carr | Wichiga (TEX) | 1997 | |
31 | Kevin Hooper | Calgary (PCL) | 2002 | |
30 | James McOwen | High Desert (CAL) | 2009 | |
30 | Quintin Berry | Clearwater (FSL) | 2008 | |
30 | Doug Brady | Nashville (AA) | 1995 | |
30 | Ricardo Nanita | Great Falls (PIO) | 2003 | |
30 | Jose Tolentino | Tucson (PCL) | 1990 | |
Against the 66ers, he kept the streak going in the first inning with a bunt single, his only hit of the night. He later scored on Travis Scott's two-run homer.
"It takes the pressure off, but it's not something you think about too much as the game goes on," McOwen said. "You get it done, forget about it and try to win the ballgame."
The former sixth-round pick came into the season with a .265 batting average over a two-year career. Asked to describe what adjustments he made to his swing, he said he simply widened his stance right before the streak started.
"I didn't really even recognize it until about 15 [games]," said McOwen, who is hitting .322 with eight doubles, five triples, a pair of homers and 35 RBIs in 55 games. "You don't want take any at-bat for granted. You want to keep it going. You can't get too down if you get out twice. I've had a couple where I've gotten a hit in the last at-bat."
While he is enjoying his current success, he knows the run could be fleeting. Baseball's ability to humble players helps him stay focused.
"So far, so good, but you never know what can happen," the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native said. "I'm hitting .320 or something right now, but a couple of bad weeks, which happens to everybody, and you're right back to where you've been."
For McOwen, the key is to keep improving. He's enjoying his season with the Mavericks, but he wants to continue moving up the Mariners' ladder. He knows the streak will be something he remembers, but he hopes this isn't the only memory from his playing days.
"Hopefully, this isn't the biggest highlight of my career," McOwen said.
Mason Kelley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
