2005 Arizona Fall League Daily: Games Of October 4

Peoria Javelinas 9, Grand Canyon 6

Third baseman Dan Uggla (Diamondbacks) homered and scored three runs to lead the Peoria Javelinas (1-0) past the visiting Grand Canyon Rafters (0-1) in the Arizona Fall League opener for both teams.

Uggla contributed in three consecutive innings. In the bottom of the fourth, the 11th-round pick in 2001 out of Memphis singled and scored off lefthander Taylor Tankersley (Marlins) to put the Javelinas on top 3-1. In the fifth, Uggla reached on an error and came home on a throwing error to make it 6-4. An inning later, he belted a two-run homer to open a 9-4 lead.

Nick Markakis (Orioles), Michael Johnson (Padres) and Jeff Clement (Mariners) each had two hits, while Ian Stewart (Rockies) knocked in a pair of runs for Peoria.

Reliever Jack Cassel (Padres) pitched a scoreless sixth to get the win. Closer Jim Miller (Rockies) loaded the bases in the ninth but escaped and recorded the save. Both starters--Peoria's Jon Asahina (Rockies) and Grand Canyon's Glen Perkins (Twins)--allowed one earned run over three innings.

The Rafters outhit the Javelinas, 15-11, but committed six errors that led to five unearned runs. Garrett Jones (Twins) homered twice in a losing cause.

Phoenix 11, Mesa 6

Trailing 4-3 into the fifth inning, the Phoenix Desert Dogs (1-0) scored three runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to pull away from the Mesa Solar Sox (0-1).

Stephen Drew (Diamondbacks) put the Desert Dogs up 1-0 with a solo home run in the bottom of the first in his first AFL at-bat. Ryan Garko (Indians) answered for the Solar Sox to tie the game at 1-1 with a solo home run to lead off the top of the second.

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth, the Desert Dogs got a two-out, three-run home run from Daric Barton (Athletics). Up 6-4 in the sixth, the Dogs got more two-run magic. This time Adam LaRoche (Dodgers) and Matt Kemp (Dodgers) each had two-out RBI extra-base hits.

Kemp and Barton each had three hits in the Desert Dogs 16-hit attack. David Espinosa (Tigers), Dan Ortmeier (Giants), and Justin Knoedler (Giants) each had two hits for the Solar Sox.

Brian Stokes (Devil Rays) earned the win in relief. Stokes gave up one earned run on three hits in three innings. Bubba Nelson (Reds) suffered the loss in relief. The second-round pick of the Braves in 2000 gave up three earned runs on three hits in two innings.

Surprise 14, Peoria Saguaros 2

Michael Bourn (Phillies) drove in four runs as the Surprise Scorpions (1-0) pounded the visiting Peoria Saguaros (0-1) on Tuesday.

Bourn ripped a bases-loaded triple in the second inning to give the Scorpions an early 5-0 lead, then delivered an RBI single in the seventh to make it 12-2.

Howie Kendrick (Angels) and Corey Smith (Padres) each went 3-for-5 to lead the Scorpions' 17-hit attack, while four others collected two hits each. Smith and Brandon Wood (Angels) homered. Wood led all the minors in 2005 in extra-base hits, including 43 home runs.

Scorpions starter Scott Mathieson (Phillies) went 3 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out six. Travis Minix (Phillies) picked up the win with two perfect innings.

Saguaros starter Chris Smith (Red Sox) got tagged for six runs--five earned--on seven hits in one inning. Peoria managed five hits, with Chris Young (White Sox) going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.