DANVILLE — Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon had a famous catchphrase for leadoff batter Dexter Fowler during the 2016 World Series season.
“You go, we go,’’ was something that Maddon told Fowler before every at-bat to signify how the Cubs offense sparked when the veteran center fielder would reach base.
The same is holding true this summer for the Danville Dans and right fielder Jacob May.
In his first 25 games with the Dans, May has reached base safely in all 25 games he has played with 35 hits, 28 walks and he even been hit with a pitch once. His on-base percentage is an amazing .520 and May has scored 38 runs.
On Tuesday night, the left-handed hitter did a little bit of everything, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored, three RBIs and he walked twice as the Dans defeated the Decatur Bean Ballers 12-8 before 3,378 at Danville Stadium.
“We put him in the leadoff role every day because he is just an incredible player,’’ Gross said. “He had three of our first four hits tonight … he has been the straw that stirs the drink four our offense.
“He has given us some consistency at the leadoff spot, because before he got here, we were mixing guys into that role. He gets on base for the dudes like (Nick) Palmi, Carson Brady, Will Burke and Mason McReynolds — those guys do a great job of driving him in.’’
May not only provided an offensive spark on Tuesday night, but he also made a nice catch against the wall in the eighth inning to preserve the Dans 12-8 lead.
“He hits for power, he hits for average, gets on base, he stole a base tonight and he made a great play at the wall,’’ Gross said. “Having him here has been invaluable for this team.
“It’s no mistake that since he got here, our offense has come alive.’’
But, why has May only played in 25 of Danville’s 52 games this summer?
“He didn’t join us until the second half,’’ Gross said. “We needed an outfielder and we called Rich Hill at Hawaii and he sent Jacob our way. Thankfully, he did.’’
May, a junior-to-be is transferring from Cal State Bakersfield to Hawaii, said all the traditional stuff like, “I just want to do my job as a leadoff batter. I just try to do what I can for the team.’’
But, even he admitted that getting on base in 25 straight games was a nice accomplishment.
And, it’s something he wanted to work on this summer before moving to Hawaii.
“I haven’t always had the best plate discipline,’’ he said. “This summer, I’ve been trying to work on taking the pitches that I know I can’t do a lot of damage on and then the pitches that I can hit — try to put my best swing on them.’’
May said his original plays this summer was to play the second half in the West Coast League.
“I had a workout plan for the first half of the summer and I got a couple games in my hometown team,’’ he said. “Coach Hill is super close with the owner Jeanie (Cooke) and he wanted to get me here so that I could get as many reps as possible.
“This opportunity came at a really good time and it was exactly what I need for next season.’’
With its win on Tuesday, the Dans remain 1.5 games behind the Terre Haute Rex in the race for the second-half title of the Central Division of the Prospect League with just four days remaining in the season.
“Terre Haute has some tough games left,’’ Gross said. “We just have to do our jobs and try to go 1-0 every day. Every game is a must-win.’’
Also contributing offensively for Danville on Tuesday was Mason McReynolds with two hits and two RBIs, while Nik Nelson had two hits and two runs scored.
The Dans, who were playing the Champion City Half Trax on Wednesday night, will host the Half Trax on Thursday at Danville Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
DANS SWEEP WEEKLY AWARDS
The Prospect League announced on Tuesday that Nick Palmi and Nolan Hataway of the Danville Dans were the Week 9 Player and Pitcher of the Week.
Palmi, a sophomore-to-be from Hillsborough Community College and a native of St. Cloud, Fla, hit .407 last week with a league-leading four home runs to go along with 12 runs scored, and 14 RBIs.
Hataway, a sophomore-to-be from Baldwin-Wallace University and a native of Avon, Ind., had a 0.00 ERA in 4 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts and a save.