Dayton players hitting hot streaks

The Dragons’ Mike Konstanty slides safely into second base as the TinCaps’ Drew Cumberland misses the ball on Tuesday night in Dayton.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam The Dragons’ Mike Konstanty slides safely into second base as the TinCaps’ Drew Cumberland misses the ball on Tuesday night in Dayton.

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The Dragons’ Carlos Mendez slides into home in front of Fort Wayne TinCaps catcher Adam Zornes at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday, June 30.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam The Dragons’ Carlos Mendez slides into home in front of Fort Wayne TinCaps catcher Adam Zornes at Fifth Third Field on Tuesday, June 30.

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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer Updated 1:55 AM Wednesday, July 1, 2009

There were strange numbers on the Dragons entering the start of the homestand on Tuesday, June 30.

For instance, second baseman Kevin Feiner, who hit .235 with the Dragons last season and had only mixed success with Sarasota (Fla.) and in extended spring training this year, was hitting .364 in 11 games.

“This year, I’m swinging at balls in the zone instead of out of the zone,” said Feiner, who had particular trouble with the slider. “I’m recognizing pitches quicker. I’m seeing the ball better.”

Then there’s big first baseman Mike Konstanty, who hit .253 as a rookie at Billings, Mont., last season, and didn’t even make the Dragons roster out of spring training.

He stayed behind to work on things and the improvement shows.

Konstanty has been with the Dragons 10 games and was hitting .385 with three home runs and 13 RBIs.

“I knew I had to get off to a good start,” said Konstanty, whose grandfather was Jim Konstanty, the 1950 National League MVP as a pitcher for the pennant-winning Phillies. “Your opportunities are limited. It’s not a surprise. Everybody knows it.”

Konstanty grew up in Oneonta, New York, about 15-20 minutes from Cooperstown, where he often went to see artifacts of his late grandfather’s career.

“I never got to meet him,” Konstanty said. “He died before I was born. But I used to see a lot of his stuff at my grandmother’s house, and at the Hall of Fame. When she died, the one thing I wanted was a picture of him at Yankee Stadium. It’s not a real big picture, but I have it at home.”

Puckett gets the call

Second baseman Cody Puckett was at the Dayton airport on Sunday, June 21, second in line for his flight home to California for a three-day all-star break, when his cell phone rang.

“They (the Reds) wanted me to report to Sarasota,” Puckett said. “I knew it was only temporary because they had an injury. I could have gone 18-for-18 and I would have come back here.”

Well, maybe, but Puckett had only one hit in those 18 at-bats over five games. He did, however, get some valuable experience at the next level.

Wiley is on fire

In his previous eight games, outfielder Byron Wiley hit 355 with four doubles, three homers and 13 RBIs.

In other words, he is on fire.

“I don’t feel like I’m on fire,” said Wiley, who was hitting .212 when his streak began. “I’m just playing the game. I watched Joey Votto when he was here, and some other guys, and have been working with T.J. (Dragons hitting coach Tony Jaramillo).”

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