Arizona Fall League daily report
Published on October 9, 2008 under Arizona Fall League (AzFL) News Release
Alumni of the Day
Phillies 1B Ryan Howard played for the Phoenix Desert Dogs during the 2004 season. Howard made the most of his time in the league, leading in doubles with 14 and with games played. Howard was named to Baseball AmericaÂfs Top 10 Arizona Fall League Prospects list. He finished the last game of the season going 1-for-4 in the championship game when the Desert Dogs took the 2004 AFL title.
YesterdayÂfs Highlights
Peoria Javelinas 8, Surprise Rafters 7 ⟠WP: Pedro Viola (CIN) (1-0, 4.50), LP: Chuck Lofgren (CLE) (0-1, 162.00), SV: Carlos Fisher (CIN) (1)
Down by five-runs in the fourth inning, the Peoria Javelinas erupted for a seven-run fourth inning for the win on the road at Surprise Âc despite receiving the no decision, Rafters starter RHP Josh Tomlin (CLE) shut down the Javelinas bats for the first three innings as he did not allow a run and struck out five Âc Surprise 3B John Whittleman (TEX) cracked a three-run homer in the second Âc RedsÂf duo of 2B Justin Turner and SS Chris Valaika each had two hits and scored a run to lead the offense for the Javelinas.
Peoria Saguaros 10, Scottsdale Scorpions 7 ⟠WP: Carlos Torres (CWS) (1-0, 6.75), LP: Beau Vaughan (BOS) (0-1, 9.00), SV: Greg Burke (SD) (1)
The Scorpions outhit the Saguaros 14-10 but four errors cost the Scorps their first win of the season. The offensive star of the day was taxi squad right fielder, Mike Baxter (SD), who went 3-for-3 with a double and four runs driven in as well as the rare Fall League intentional walk. 2B Kevin Fransden (SF) was 3-for-4 on the day with two runs scored and one RBI. Mark Trumbo (LAA) had another productive offensive day with one hit and two RBI. Josh Reddick (BOS) hit his first home run in the seventh inning off ASU alum Zech Zinicola (WAS). A throwing error by Beau Vaughan (BOS)in the eighth tied the game at seven Âc The Saguaros tacked on three more runs in the inning and claimed the victory at home.
Mesa Solar Sox 9, Phoenix Desert Dogs 7 ⟠WP: Shane Lindsay (COL) (1-0, 0.00), LP: Tyson Brummett (PHI) (0-1, 6.75), SV: Andrew Carignan (OAK) (1)
At opening night in Mesa, the Desert Dogs edged the Solar Sox by a pair of runs. Desert Dogs C, J.P. Arencibia (TOR) had a solid offensive and defensive game. In addition to hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning, Arencibia also picked speedy Matt Young (ATL) off second base. First baseman, Logan Morrison (FLA), went 3-for-4 with two runs and driving in three with a first inning blast off of Chaz Roe (COL). Roe, celebrating his 22nd birthday today, went 2.0 innings, allowing 4 runs, 3 walks while striking out two.
Around the Arizona Fall League
American Division
Peoria Saguaros (2-0) ⟠Taking on the Solar Sox on the road will be starting RHP Lucas Harrell (CWS) Âc after missing the entire 2007 season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, Harrell went 4-4 in 15 games this year Âc 2008 first-round draft pick, Gordon Beckham, posted a sacrifice bunt in the seventh inning yesterday Âc Beckham hit .310 in 14 games in Single-A this year Âc Leonard Davis (WAS) went 1-for-2 with a run driven in and a stolen base as designated hitter for the Saguaros Âc Davis had a solid offensive year, batting .308 with 25 home runs Âc he also earned both Topps CAR player of the month honors and CAR player of the week in June.
Scottsdale Scorpions (0-2) ⟠RHP Sergio Perez (HOU) pitching this afternoon in Surprise Âc Tampa native pitched in Double-A this year, finishing with a 2.30 ERA Âc C Tim Duff (LAA) stole second base in the first inning of yesterdayÂfs game ... Duff stole only three bases the entire season in Salt Lake Âc Drew Sutton (HOU) also stole a bag yesterday Âc Sutton batted .317 this year with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases Âc Chris Pettit (LAA) struggled at the plate yesterday leaving six on base Âc Pettit drove in 28 runs in 64 games this season Âc also played for the Surprise Rafters in 2007, batting .182 in eight games Âc three Scorpion pitchers hit four Saguaros yesterday in Peoria.
Mesa Solar Sox (1-1) ⟠Solar Sox starter today, RHP Luis Marte (DET), pitched 103 innings this year striking out 78 and holding opponentsÂf batting average to .238 Âc Matt Young (ATL) stole his first AFL base last night, but was later picked off second base Âc Young stole 30 bags in Double-A during the regular season, but was caught stealing 12 times Âc Jeremy Slayden (PHI) went 2-for-4 last night with a double and one RBIÂc The Eastern League Mid-Season All Star hit 33 doubles this year Âc Temporary Solar Sox catcher, Lou Palmisano (MIL) is on loan from the Peoria Javelinas until Phillies finish their season and C Lou Marson can join the team ... Palmisano went 1-for-4 last night.
National Division
Phoenix Desert Dogs (1-1) ⟠Tonight Phoenix will send former University of Notre Dame standout, RHP Jeff Manship (MIN), to the mound as the Dogs travel to Peoria to battle the Javelinas Âc Manship split the 2008 season between Advanced-A Ft. Myers and Double-A New Britain Âc combined made 27 starts and went 10-9 with a 3.65 ERA (63 ER/155.1 IP), 44 BB, and 125 SO Âc the key to the Desert Dogs splitting the opening home-and-home series were two-out RBI Âc five of the seven runs scored by Phoenix last night were with two outs led by DH Dustin Martin (MIN) with two Âc speedster Eric Young Jr. (COL) entered in last nightÂfs game as a pinch runner and stole his first base of the AFL season.
Peoria Javelinas (2-0) ⟠Milwaukee Brewers 2007 first round pick (16th overall) RHP Jeremy Jeffress toes the rubber as the Javelinas look to remain perfect early in the AFL season Âc Jeffress split the 2008 season between Advanced-A Brevard County and Double-A Huntsville Âc combined made 18 starts, went 6-7 with a 4.31 ERA (45 ER/94.0 IP), 52 BB, 115 SO Âc of the eight hits the Javelinas collected yesterday, only one was of extra-bases, SS Chris ValikaÂfs (CIN) double in the fourth Âc Peoria capitalized on five walks issued by Rafters pitching as three scored in the game Âc IF Carlos Triunfel (SEA) leads the Javelinsa in runs (5) while OF Austin Jackson (NYY) has knocked in 5 RBI Âc IF Valaika (CIN) and OF Drew Stubbs (CIN) were teammates in the 2004 World University Championships in Taiwan.
Surprise Rafters (0-2) ⟠Manager Gary Allenson hands the ball to RHP Justin Orenduff (LAD) as the Rafters are still in search of their first victory Âc Orenduff spent the entire 2008 season with Triple-A Las Vegas Âc pitching for the 51Âfs, Orenduff made 32 appearances (21 starts) with a 3-7 record and 6.55 ERA (80 ER/110.0116.2 IP) Âc Orenduff played collegiately at Virginia Commonwealth Âc 1B Brad Snyder (BAL) went three-for-four with two doubles in addition to a run and RBI in his 2008 AFL debut Âc RHP Erik Stiller (CLE) earned an economics degree with a certificate in finance at Princeton prior to being drafted by the Indians.
2008 Arizona Fall League Night Games
The first night game on the west side of town will be played tonight in Peoria between the Desert Dogs travel to Peoria to face the Javelinas. The Peoria Sports Complex will host four night contests this year. Surprise Stadium also will host four night games, including the Rising Stars Game on Friday, October 24th at 7:15 PM. Scottsdale Stadium will host 12 more night games Âc Cleveland IndiansÂf manager Eric Wedge will be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame on Friday, October 17th at Scottsdale Stadium.
Arizona Fall League Stories from October 9, 2008
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
