Arizona Fall League game recaps
Published on October 13, 2004 under Arizona Fall League (AzFL) News Release
Desert Dogs 8, Javelinas 5
The Phoenix Desert Dogs have won their first five games and remain the only undefeated team in the Arizona Fall League. Phoenix scored in the seventh, eighth and ninth on their way to an 8-5 win over the Peoria Javelinas. Ryan Howard (PHI) and Donald Murphy (KC) both homered for the Desert Dogs.
Down 1-0 in the second inning the Desert Dogs scored twice off Javelinas' starter Jake Dittler (CLE). An RBI single by Mike Morse (SEA) tied the game at one, and a sacrifice fly to left by Josh Barfield (SD) gave the Javelinas their first lead of the afternoon 2-1.
After a scoreless third inning, Phoenix took the lead back on two straight extra base hits. Casey Smith (ANA) lead off the inning with a double, and would score on a two-run home run down the left field line by Donald Murphy (KC). The home run made it 3-2 Desert Dogs. In the seventh inning after a sacrifice fly by Jeremy Hermida (FLA), Josh Baker (OAK) hit a two-out, two run double to make it 6-2 Desert Dogs.
A two run home run in the bottom of the eighth by Javelinasâ catcher Ryan Garko (CLE) cut the Desert Dogs' lead to three. The Desert Dogs came back with a home run minutes later when Ryan Howard (PHI) hit a home run to the top off the grass berm in right field, making the score 8-4 Phoenix.
Needing four runs in the bottom of the ninth, the Javelinas scored once, keeping the Desert Dogs' undefeated season alive.
Desert Dogs 100 200 311 8 12 1
Javelinas 020 000 021 5 9 2
Desert Dogs- Obenchain, McNutt (3), Wilkerson (6), Rouwenhorst (8), Messenger (9)
Javelinas- Dittler, Bergmann (3), Thomas (4), Denham (7), Ramsey (8), Speihs (9)
W- McNutt (1-0) L- Bergmann (0-2) S-None Time: 2:52
Solar Sox 13, Scorpions 6
It was an offensive show, as Mesa tallied 13 hits to Scottsdale's 11. Rickie Weeks (MIL), Jesse Gutierrez (CIN) and Royce Huffman (HOU) each got on base twice for the Scorpions, with Gutierrez driving in three runs including his first home run on the season. Pedro Lopez (CWS) and Reid Gorecki (STL) led the Solar Sox with two hits and two RBI apiece. Joey Gathright (TB) showed his basestealing prowess, taking third twice and second once. The Solar Sox finished with a baker's dozen against the Scorpions, winning 13-6.
The bullpens had a rough day, giving up a combined 10 runs in the first three innings, as both starters lasting just 1.1 innings. Adam Wainright (STL) allowed four hits with two strikeouts for the Solar Sox and Dennis Sarfate (AZ) gave up two runs while striking out three for Scottsdale.
Mesa's big inning came in the second, the Solar Sox scored six runs on five hits, Sarfate walked Gabe Johnson (STL) and hit Ronnie Cedeno (CHC) to put runners at first and second. Mark McLemore (HOU) was called into replace Sarfate and served up a single to catcher Jake Fox (CHC), scoring Johnson in the process. A flyout by Lopez advanced Cedeno and Fox, which brought in Gathright who hit a single up the middle to score Cedeno. Designated hitter John Nelson (STL) came up with a single to center field scoring Fox and moving Gathright to second, who then stole third base. Gorecki hit a double to score Gathtight and Nelson, Delmon Young (TB) followed with another double to score Gorecki, The inning finally came to and end when the only hitter not to bat in the order came up, Brian Dopirak (CHC) grounded out to short. McLemore allowed five runs on five hits.
Scorpions 012 100 101 6 11 2 Solar Sox 061 410 01x 13 13 2
Scorpions: Sarfate, McLemore (2), Farmer (3), Stetter (5), Gothreaux (7), Bulger (9) Solar Sox: Wainwright, McClellan (2), Hines (5), Walton (5), Cali (8), Bajenaru (9) W- Hines (1-0). L-Sarfate (0-2). S-None. Time: 2:58.
Rafters 8, Saguaros 4
A five-run bottom of the fifth inning fueled the Grand Canyon Rafters to an 8-4 win over the Peoria Saguaros. Early homeruns by Ryan Raburn (DET) and Mitch Jones (NYY) gave Grand Canyon an early lead. The game featured four lead changes.
Two similar home runs by Rafters' hitters gave Grand Canyon a 2-0 lead. First a Ryan Raburn (DET) line drive solo home run to right and then a home run by Mitch Jones (NYY) to the exact area made the score 2-0.
Four consecutive Saguaros reached base in the top of the fourth. Singles by Jason Botts (TEX) and Vito Chairavalloti (TOR) tied the game at two.
With a runner at third base in the fourth inning, what would have been an inning-ending ground ball to Saguaros' first baseman Vito Chiaravalloti (TOR) was dropped, scoring the run from third and giving the Rafters a 3-2 lead.
The lead changes continued in the top of the fifth led by two Rangers' prospects. An RBI single by Ian Kinsler (TEX) with 2 outs tied game at three. Kinsler later scored from second on an infield single by fellow Texas' farmhand Jason Botts to give the Saguaros a 4-3 lead.
With the game tied at four, an RBI triple by Tony Pena Jr. (ATL) scored Jones to give Grand Canyon the lead back at 5-4. The big inning continued with a three-run bases clearing double by Lance Niekro (SF). Five runs scored in the fifth, and Grand Canyon took an 8-4.
Saguaros 000 220 000 4 8 2
Rafters 110 150 00X 8 9 0
Saguaros- Bradley, Deaton (3), Ring (5), Miller (7)
Rafters- McBride, Miner (5), Woodyard (8)
W- Miner (1-0) L- Deaton (0-1) S-None Time: 2:27
American Division W L PCT GB
Scorpions 3 3 .500 -
Solar Sox 2 3 .400 .5
Saguaros 1 4 .200 1.5
National Division W L PCT GB
Desert Dogs 5 0 1.000 -
Rafters 3 2 .600 2
Javelinas 2 4 .333 3.5
Arizona Fall League Stories from October 13, 2004
- Thompson, Thomas Named AFL Player, Pitcher-of-the-Week - AzFL
- Arizona Fall League game notes - AzFL
- Arizona Fall League game recaps - AzFL
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.
