Ross heating up at plate in May

CHICAGO -- D-backs outfielder Cody Ross has begun to dig himself out of an early hole at the plate.

Ross began the season on the disabled list after suffering a horrific injury last August in which he dislocated and fractured his hip when he stumbled running to first base.

When he returned in mid-April, he slumped badly at the plate, and at the end of the month he was hitting just .103.

However, in May he is hitting .381, and over the last three games he is 6-for-12.

Ross credits extra time put in with hitting coach Turner Ward and assistant hitting coach Henry Blanco.

"I feel like I'm getting close," he said. "I'm seeing the ball better. I'm letting the ball travel as opposed to trying to go out and get it. I'm starting to feel it. I wish it would have clicked a little bit sooner, obviously. Seventy at-bats in is not generally how you'd really chalk it up. It is what it is and you've got to keep going out there battling and putting together quality at-bats."