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05/22/2008 2:19 AM ET
Halman helps Mavs halt skid
Grabs Cal League homer lead, collects career-high six RBIs
By Alan Friedman
Greg Halman has hit seven homers and driven in 14 runs in his last seven games. (High Desert Mavericks)

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High Desert Mavericks center fielder Gregory Halman says he tends to swing at bad pitches when he gets too aggressive at the plate.

Halman found a couple of good pitches Wednesday night as he homered twice and collected a career-high six RBIs to power the Mavericks to a 13-8 victory over the Inland Empire 66ers at Mavericks Stadium.

"I was just looking for a good pitch to drive and I got two," said Halman, a native of the Netherlands. "I hit two fastballs, one up and away and one down and in."

Halman, who signed with the Seattle Mariners as a non-drafted free agent in 2004, smacked three-run shots in the sixth and eighth innings. He grabbed the California League lead with 13 homers after hitting seven in his last seven games. He's also tied for third with 18 stolen bases.

"I'm just trying to stay within myself and get in a groove," Halman said. "I'm trying to lay off curves and balls in the dirt and look for my pitch."

Last season, the 20-year-old batted .252 with 20 homers and 52 RBIs for short-season Everett and Class A Wisconsin. His goals for this year?

"I'm just trying to go out every day and play hard. When you do that, good things happen," he said.

Matt Mangini and Carlos Peguero also homered for the Mavericks (20-26), who snapped a three-game losing streak and won for just the fifth time in their last 16 contests.

High Desert starter Kyle Parker (5-0) remained unbeaten after allowing three runs on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts over six innings.

Cody White (4-3) surrendered six runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits over five frames for the 66ers (19-27), walking two and striking out four.

Alan Friedman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.