Arizona Fall League daily report
Published on October 10, 2008 under Arizona Fall League (AzFL) News Release
Alumnus of the Day
Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury played for the Peoria Javelinas in 2006 and led the AFL in triples (3). Ellsbury was fourth in Baseball AmericaÂfs top 10 Arizona Fall League prospects. The Fall League honored Ellsbury in 2005 on Native American night.
YesterdayÂfs Highlights
Peoria Javelinas 6, Phoenix Desert Dogs 4 ⟠WP: Jeremy Jeffress (MIL) (1-0, 3.00), LP: Jeff Manship (MIN) (0-1, 6.00)
Juan Miranda (NYY) was the offensive standout in Peoria last night going 4-for-4, a home run away from the cycle. Jeremy Jeffress (MIL) earned the win for the Javelinas as he pitched 3.0 innings, allowed two hits and one run while striking out four. The Desert Dogs made a late inning rally, adding two runs during the ninth, but it wasnÂft enough to edge the undefeated Javelinas. Desert Dogs reliever Casey Weathers (COL) left the game in the eighth with an arm injury. IF Adrian Cardenas (OAK), who turns 21 today, turned three double plays at shortstop last night.
Surprise Rafters 8, Scottsdale Scorpions 7 ⟠WP: Rowdy Hardy (KC) (1-0, 3.86), LP: Ryne Lawson (BOS) (0-1, 9.00)
The Scorpions and the Rafters played 10 innings yesterday in Surprise, with the Rafters winning their first game 8-7. Matt Wieters (BAL) was a perfect 4-for-4, with two doubles. 3B Wes Hodges (CLE) also had a solid game going 3-for-5 and hit a three run home run in the eighth inning off Brad James (HOU). Surprise tacked on the winning run after a busy bottom frame. They put the pieces together with a hit by pitch, sacrifice bunt, intentional walk, and a single to left field by Ivan De Jesus, Jr. (LAD).
Peoria Saguaros 9, Mesa Solar Sox 2 ⟠WP: Lucas Harrell (CWS) (1-0, 0.00), LP: Luis Marte (DET) (0-1, 27.00)
Behind a brilliant performance by 3B Shawn Bowman (NYM) (2-for-3, 2 R, and 4 RBI), the Peoria Saguaros remained undefeated with their 9-2 road victory over the Mesa Solar Sox. Saguaros leadoff hitter CF Shane Robinson (STL) continued his blistering start as he collected three hits that included a solo home run in the second. Peoria starter Lucas Harrell (CWS) set the tone early by striking out three in his two innings pitched to earn his first victory of the season. MesaÂfs 2B Will Rhymes (DET) led the offense on the day with his 2-for-4, run, and RBI.
Alumnus of the Day
Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury played for the Peoria Javelinas in 2006 and led the AFL in triples (3). Ellsbury was fourth in Baseball AmericaÂfs top 10 Arizona Fall League prospects. The Fall League honored Ellsbury in 2005 on Native American night.
Around the Arizona Fall League
2008 AFL Tidbits
The Peoria Saguaros have the highest team batting average (.327) Âc also have the lowest team ERA (3.67) Âc the two undefeated Peoria teams face each other this afternoon Âc there have been nine home runs in the first three days of games .. Saguaros/Solar Sox was the only errorless game yesterday Âc other four teams committed 10 errors.
American Division
Peoria Saguaros (3-0) ⟠Bobby Parnell (NYM) is making his Fall Legaue debut this afternoon Âc pitched in the majors but spent the majority of the season in minors Âc struck out 114 and went 12-8 Âc 3B Shawn Bowman (NYM) was 2-for-3 with four runs driven in with a double and a home run yesterday at Mesa Âc hit .290 with 11 doubles this year Âc CF Shane Robinson (STL) also hit a home run Âc was 3-for-5 with two RBI Âc Robinson was a Texas League mid-season All-Star and a Texas player- of-the-week in May Âc Kyle Blanks (SD) was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored Âc Blanks is hitting .400 Âc was a Texas league mid-season and post-season All-Star Âc Topps Texas League Player of the Month and Texas League Player of the Week.
Scottsdale Scorpions (0-3) ⟠Clay Buchholz (BOS) will pitch under the lights in Scottsdale tonight Âc hurled 76 innings this season with the Red Sox striking out 72 Âc Buchholz is remembered for throwing the 17th no-hitter in Red Sox history on September 1, 2007 Âc Mark Trumbo (LAA) is hitting .583 Âc 3-for-5 with two RBI yesterday Âc Steve Lerud (PIT) had two hits and two RBI Âc Josh Reddick (BOS) hit a triple yesterday and scored three runs Âc also had an outfield assist Âc Chris Blazek (HOU) picked off Rafters SS Ivan De Jesus Jr. off first base Âc RHP Jared Hughes (PIT) former teammate of AFL alum Evan Longoria at Long Beach State.
Mesa Solar Sox (1-2) ⟠The 6-8 LHP Sean West (FLA) takes on the Rafters at home this afternoon Âc played in 21 games and struck out 92 in the Florida State League while holding lefties to a .198 average Âc yesterday Will Rhymes (DET) went 2-for-4 with a RBI and run Âc C Tyler Flowers (ATL) struck out three times as DH Âc Matthew Young (ATL) was 1-for-2 with a double a run and a walk Âc back-to-back days of six walks resulted in two losses Âc Jason Donald (PHI) was starting shortstop for bronze medal-winning 2008 USA Olympic Baseball Team Âc also 2008 Futures Game selection.
National Division
Phoenix Desert Dogs (1-2) ⟠Former Georgia Bulldog RHP Brooks Brown (ARI) toes the rubber as Phoenix travels to Scottsdale for the nightcap Âc Brown earned a Southern League mid-season all-star selection in 2008 as a member of the Double-A Mobile Bay Bears Âc 6-15 with a 4.18 ERA (67 ER/144.1 IP), 67 BB, 112 SO Âc yesterday the Dogs kept the game close by turning five double plays against the Javelinas Âc over the final five innings yesterday Phoenix used six relievers Âc 2008 Florida State League mid-season all-star IF Danny Valencia (MIN) leads the Dogs with four hits Âc while attending Auburn University, IF Josh Donaldson (OAK) majored in pre-engineering.
Peoria Javelinas (3-0) ⟠The Javelinas stay in Peoria to battle the fellow unbeaten Saguaros this afternoon Âc RHP Wade Townsend (TB) takes the hill today Âc Townsend was primarily used out of the bullpen in 2008 between Advanced-A Vero Beach and Double-A Montgomery (28 appearances, 9 starts) Âc combined went 1-6 with a 6.08 ERA (45 ER/66.2 IP), 39 BB, 56 SO ... 1B Juan Miranda (NYY) was perfect in his 2008 debut in the AFL Âc 4-for-4 (two doubles and a triple) with two runs and an RBI Âc 3B Carlos Triunfel (SEA) has scored at least a run in the first three games to lead the league with six runs.
Surprise Rafters (1-2) ⟠RHP Daniel Cortes (KC) and the Rafters travel to Mesa this afternoon Âc Cortes excelled in 2008 as he earned Texas League mid and post-season all-star honors for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals Âc in 23 starts, went 10-4 with a 3.78 ERA (49 ER/116.2 IP), 55 BB, and 109 SO Âc C Matt Wieters (BAL) leads the AFL in hitting with a .714 batting average and in on-base percentage (.778) Âc LHP Rowdy Hardy (KC) and RHP Josh Tomlin (CLE) are tied for second with five strikeouts apiece, two behind Javelinas RHP Phil Hughes (NYY).
Arizona Fall League Stories from October 10, 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.
