COLUMBIA, S.C. — There are still too many strikeouts. His patience at the plate is a struggle. And the batting average remains below .250. But Tim Tebow believes he’s making steady progress in his life as a pro baseball player.

“It feels more comfortable,” Tebow said Tuesday night, a short time after scoring the winning run in the Columbia Fireflies’ 2-1 victory over Delmarva.

“I’m definitely seeing pitches better. I feel like I’m getting better every week, too.”

The numbers bear that out, minus his flashy start for the New York Mets Class A affiliate – Tebow homered in first pro at-bat, then added a second homer three games later. An average that hovered in the mid-.100s for the first couple of weeks has jumped to .231. Tebow had three multi-strikeout games in his first six starts, yet just one in his last 10.

“His at-bats, you see the consistency,” Fireflies Manager Jose Leger said. “Once he finds the rhythm, this guy’s got the right tools to play this game.”

Tebow displayed patience against the Shorebirds, reaching three times despite going 0 for 2. His one-out walk in the bottom of the ninth started Columbia’s winning rally, with the former Heisman Trophy quarterback for Florida crossing the plate with the winning run after Gene Cone’s bases-loaded walk.

Advertisement

RANGERS: The team says left-hander Cole Hamels is expected to miss eight weeks because of a strained right oblique.

The Rangers put Hamels on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday. He was scratched from his scheduled start shortly before Tuesday night’s game at Houston.

INDIANS: Cleveland placed ace Corey Kluber on the 10-day disabled list with a lower back strain, meaning the right-hander will miss at least his next turn in the rotation.

Kluber was removed from Tuesday night’s start at Detroit after three innings because of back discomfort.

CARDINALS: Police are investigating after a woman attending a game at Busch Stadium was struck by a stray bullet.

Police say the 34-year-old victim was inside the ballpark Tuesday during the game against Milwaukee when she felt pain in her arm. She went to a first-aid station for treatment. A bullet was later found near her seat.

Police believe the bullet came from outside the stadium.

The Cardinals said in a statement Wednesday that the organization is grateful no one was seriously injured.

ATHLETICS: Reliever Sean Doolittle was put on the 10-day disabled list because of a left shoulder strain that has troubled him for three seasons.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.