Diamondbacks’ outfielder Cody Ross getting ‘back to basics,’ seeing post-All-Star surge

Aug 7, 2013, 6:55 PM | Updated: 8:37 pm

Whatever the team has been putting in Cody Ross’ Gatorade since the All-Star break, it’s been working.

The Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder is hitting .377 with 13 RBI in 14 outings since the Midsummer Classic.

With his three-run shot off Tampa Bay’s Jeremy Hellickson in a 6-1 D-backs win over the Rays on Tuesday, Ross has hit safely in six of the last eight games and has batted .452 over that time.

“He (Hellickson) left a fastball over the middle,” Ross said, “and luckily I was able to get some good wood on it. The last couple of games (against Hellickson) I’ve hit him well, but previously I was just kind of OK.”

Ross, in fact, is now 5-for-11 with five RBI in his career against Hellickson.

The 11-year veteran credits consistent playing time and better patience at the plate for his recent surge.

“The one thing I concentrate on is just being calm and not having too much movement,” he said Tuesday. “Sometimes when you get a little too much movement, a lot of stuff can go wrong in your swing.

“That’s getting back to basics — just seeing it and hitting it, as opposed to having to worry about all of the stuff that a lot of us worry about a lot of times at the plate.”

Ross also claimed his recent efficiency on offense is nothing new.

“Over the course of my career, I’ve been able to [produce] when I’m getting consistent at-bats,” he said.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson has noticed the same in change in Ross that the outfielder described.

“He’s much calmer at the plate,” Gibson said Tuesday. “He’s not jumping at the ball as much, and he’s barreling it…and he’s recognizing (pitches) better.”

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Ryan Roberts (19) turns the double play while avoiding Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Adam Eaton (6) in the third inning during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Yunel Escobar, left, tags out Arizona Diamondbacks Didi Gregorius (1) trying to steal second base in the fourth inning of a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3) grounds out in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (58) throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Wade Miley (36) throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill (2) turns the double play against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria (3), left, celebrates with Joe Maddon (70) after hitting a solo homerun against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning during a baseball game on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Cody Ross (7) celebrates with Eric Chavez (12) after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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