2005 Arizona Fall League Daily: Games Of October 10

Surprise 20, Grand Canyon 1

Even after what he has done this year, Brandon Wood (Angels) still turns heads with his prodigious bat.

The 20-year-old shortstop, who led the minors with 43 home runs in 2005, blasted four homers as Surprise dismantled Grand Canyon on Monday.

The onslaught began during the bottom of the third inning with the Scorpions down 1-0, when Howie Kendrick (Angels) hit a three-run homer after leadoff singles by Michael Bourn (Phillies) and Josh Anderson (Astros). One out later, Wood delivered his first home run, a solo shot that cleared the left-field wall. Wood homered again in the next inning, hitting a two-run shot--again to left--scoring Kendry Morales (Angels) to give Surprise a commanding 9-1 lead.

Wood now has seven home runs in the AFL after homering in four of five games.

The game moved out of reach when the Scorpions hung up a seven spot in the following inning, highlighted by home runs from Wood and Billy Butler (Royals), doubles from Kendrick and Morales and a triple from Bourn.

Wood completed the rare feat in the eighth as he drove a one-out pitch from Travis Bowyer (Twins) to left center, increasing the Scorpions' lead to 20-1. He finished the game batting 5-for-6 and driving in six. Bourn, Surprise's ninth-place hitter, also had a near-perfect game as he went 4-for-5 with four RBIs.

Not to be forgotten amidst the offensive barrage, four Surprise pitchers combined for a superb three-hitter. Righthander Scott Mathieson (Phillies) was strong through four innings, allowing a run on two hits while striking out seven. Astros righthander Aaron Williams (1-0) picked up the win with two perfect innings, striking out two. Righthanders Ryan Cameron (Phillies) and Cory Doyne (Cardinals) combined for the final three innings.

Eric Duncan (Yankees) drove in the lone Rafters run with a two-out home run in the first, while Robert Andino (Marlins) and Bronson Sardinha (Yankees) collected the other two Grand Canyon hits. Righthander Mark Roberts (Rangers) (0-1) took the loss, allowing six runs--four earned--on seven hits and two walks with one strikeout over three innings.

Phoenix 13, Peoria Saguaros 8

Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero drove in six runs as Phoenix defeated Peoria on Monday at the Peoria Sports Complex.

The 22-year-old Venezuelan went 3-for-6 and drove in six, the bulk of which came on an eighth-inning grand slam that gave the Desert Dogs a commanding 12-3 lead.

Two more Diamondbacks prospects also went deep for Phoenix as Stephen Drew and Jarred Ball each homered for the visiting team. Drew went 3-for-6 with a double and has homered in each of his first four AFL games.

Dodgers righthander Beau Dannemiller (1-0) earned the win with two effective innings out of the bullpen, allowing a run on three hits. Lefthander Greg Miller (Dodgers) had the best line of any pitcher in the game, going two scoreless innings and striking out two for the Desert Dogs.

Tony Blanco (Nationals) was star of the game for the Saguaros. Blanco went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs--including a leadoff shot in the ninth--from the sixth spot in the lineup, while Ryan Roberts (Blue Jays) drove in a team-high three runs. Red Sox righthander Chris Smith (0-2) took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings.

Peoria Javelinas 5, Mesa 3

Jeff Salazar (Rockies) drove in two key runs as the Peoria Javelinas edged the Solar Sox on Monday in Mesa.

Salazar helped Peoria take a 5-0 lead with an RBI triple in the third inning and a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Javelinas righthander Ramon Ramirez (Rockies) yielded two runs on three hits with one strikeout after coming in for starter Dana Eveland (Brewers) in the fourth. Eveland worked three scoreless frames, yielding three hits and whiffed two.

Peoria shut down Mesa over the final three innings with righthander Andy Mitchell (Orioles), lefthander Mitch Stetter (Brewers) and righty Jim Miller (Rockies) retiring three batters each. Miller closed out the ninth for his second save and the Javelinas' fourth win in five games.

Gary Harris (Mariners) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for Peoria.

Solar Sox righthander Luke Hudson (Reds), gave up three runs on three hits while striking out four and walking two in three innings.

Mesa's Matt Murton (Cubs) is batting .571 in the AFL after going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored. Ryan Garko (Indians) slugged his second homer for the Solar Sox.