Arizona Fall League roundup: Jones, Stratton making strides

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As the Arizona Fall League progresses with only two weeks left of play, two Giants have continued to make noise as their stats rise with games played -- infielder Ryder Jones and pitcher Chris Stratton. 

Over the last week, Jones has suited up in three games, going 3-for-7 (.429) with four RBI and his first home run of the AFL. Jones has raised his slash line from .257/.278/.314 to .286/.348/.405 over the last three games. 

Another sign of progress for Jones, who has been focusing on his patience at the plate, is registering two walks to one strikeout this past week. And that first home run was a clutch one for the Scottsdale Scorpions. 

Facing the Peoria Javelinas, Jones smacked a three-run shot to give the Scorpions a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning on Monday. Scottsdale went on to win the game, 5-4. 

"I'm just trying to see the ball up. First week, I was chasing a lot. You just have to be patient, see the ball up and try to drive the ball," said Jones to MLB.com. "I've hit the wall a couple of times, so I knew a couple of home runs would come. I wasn't too worried about it, but it's nice to have one instead of zero."

For Stratton, the 26-year-old right-hander was honored before another solid start as he aims to prove himself for a spot in the rotation this year after only coming out of the bullpen for the Giants in seven games last season. Stratton will start on the hill Saturday in the Fall Stars Game, a collection of two teams formed of the top performers in the AFL. 

In Stratton's fourth start of the fall, he went four innings and struck out five while only allowing one earned run in the same game his fellow Giants farmhand Jones helped him out with his power. 

Stratton is now 2-1 with a 3.94 ERA in four AFL starts. He has struck out 16 batters while only walking one in 16 innings pitched. 

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-- Reliever Tyler Rogers will join Stratton as the Giants' other representative in the Fall Stars Game.

-- Rogers still has not allowed an earned run in the AFL. In six games out of the bullpen, Rogers is yet to give up a walk and has six strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched. 

-- Stratton's 16 strikeouts lead the Scorpions and his 16 innings pitched are second on the team. 

-- Among all pitchers in the AFL, Stratton ranks fifth in innings pitched and sixth in strikeouts. 

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