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The third time has been a charm for C.J. Cron.

After shuttling back-and forth between the Salt Lake Bees and Los Angeles Angels twice earlier this season, the 24-year-old first baseman was sent down again on Aug. 10.

Cron, however, has quickly re-established himself as one of the top prospects in the organization. In 11 games since returning to the Bees, he is hitting .343.

Before Round Rock scored a 9-8 win in 11 innings over Salt Lake on Wednesday night at Smith's Ballpark, Cron suggested his effectiveness is the result of more playing time.

"It's just [getting] consistent at-bats," he said. "I was getting eight or 10 at-bats a week up there, if that. So to come down, play first base and get my legs back has helped. So has seeing regular pitching."

Cron, the played his college baseball at the University of Utah, hit only .200 in his last 10 games with the Angels. But confidence was never an issue.

"I knew it was nothing with my swing," he said. "My timing was just a little bit off ... and I think I've got that back."

With the Bees' season winding down, Cron is a likely candidate to be recalled by the American League-leading Angels. He certainly noticed the gruesome knee injury Los Angeles ace Garrett Richards suffered on Tuesday night in Boston.

Richards will undergo surgery Friday and won't return until 2015.

"It's something you never want to see and it doesn't have anything to do with how good he is — even though he's been spectacular this year," Cron said. "It's more you feel bad for him as a a person. It's tough to see one of your friends go down like that. It sucks."

Despite the loss of Richards, Cron believes L.A. will continue its push toward the playoffs.

"It changes things a little bit," he said, "but we've got [other] guys that will step up, I know that. After being up there, I can tell one injury isn't going to keep us from what we want to do. Even though Garrett was a huge piece for us, we've got enough guys in the rotation to step up and carry us a long way." —

Storylines

O Michael Choice's 11th inning home run powers Round Rock a 9-8 victory over Salt Lake.

• C.J. Cron goes 2-for-4 for the Bees, who squander an 8-5 lead in the eighth inning.