No. 7 prospect Skole delivers clutch hits

First baseman Matt Skole, the Nationals' No. 7 prospect, began the season mired in a deep slump. Entering Monday, he was 3-for-32 this season at Double-A Harrisburg.

After Monday, Skole's slump may be history. He tied the game with a two-out, two-run double in the eighth inning and then hit a walk-off single in the 10th to lead Harrisburg to a 4-3 victory against Altoona.

Skole finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBIs, raising his batting average 41 points to .135. Center fielder Michael Taylor, the club's No. 4 prospect, added three hits and a run.

Skole was the Nationals Minor League Player of the Year in 2012, but missed almost all of last season after he was injured in a collision at first base in the second game. He needed surgery to repair a microfracture in his left wrist and a torn ulnar collateral ligament. He was sidelined for the rest of the season before returning to the field in the Arizona Fall League.

The news wasn't all good for Harrisburg, however. Outfielder Drew Vettleson, acquired during the offseason from the Rays in the Jose Lobaton deal, is expected to go on the disabled list with a broken hand, according to PennLive.com. Vettleson, the club's No. 11 prospect, sustained the injury when he was hit by a pitch Sunday.