2005 Arizona Fall League Daily: Games Of October 15

Courtesy of milb.com

Mesa 7, Grand Canyon 6

Justin Knoedler's (Giants) pinch hit home run in the top of the eighth helped Mesa top Grand Canyon Saturday night. The Solar Sox have now won three straight.

Mesa took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Ryan Garko (Indians) RBI double. The Sox added another run in the top of the third after sacrifice fly by David Espinosa (Tigers). Garko then homered in the fifth, putting Mesa up 5-0.

But the Rafters battled back, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the game.

In the fifth, Josh Wilson (Marlins) had an RBI double to get Grand Canyon on the board. Robert Andino (Marlins) followed with an RBI ground out. After a pitching change, the Rafters received RBI doubles from Bronson Sardinha (Yankees) and Kevin Mahar (Rangers).

The Rafters tied the game in the sixth with an RBI single by Wilson. Chris Denorfia (Reds) led the Sox with four hits, including two doubles. Chase Lambin (Mets), Wilson, and Mahar each had two hits for the Rafters.

Righthander Bubba Nelson (Reds) earned his first AFL win in relief. Nelson tossed 2 2/3 shutout innings. Lefthander John Koronka (Cubs) earned his second save. Nick Masset (Rangers) suffered his first loss in relief. Masset gave up the game winning run in the top of the eighth inning.

Phoenix 7, Surprise 6

The Phoenix Desert Dogs the win over Surprise in a battle of first place teams at Phoenix Municipal Stadium Saturday night.

Trailing 6-1 heading into the eighth inning, Surprise outfielder Josh Anderson (Astros) had an RBI single and moved to second on an error by Alex Frazier (Diamondbacks). Later in the inning Howie Kendrick (Angels) hit a two-run home run.

In the ninth, the Scorpions scored two more runs to tie the game. Travis Hanson (Cardinals) reached on an error by first baseman James Loney (Dodgers). Matt Tupman (Royals) followed with a home run.

In the Phoenix half of the ninth, Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Braves) singled and Jason Pridie (Devil Rays) replaced him as a pinch-runner. Pridie stole second and scored on an RBI single by Andre Ethier (A's).

Saltalamacchia had three hits, including a double to lead the Desert Dogs' 12 hit attack. Anderson had three hits to pace the Scorpions.

Righthander Casey Daigle (Diamondbacks) blew a chance at a save, but earned the win for the Dogs.

Peoria Javelinas 8, Peoria Saguaros 7

In the battle of Peoria, Nick Markakis' two-out, two-strike, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Javelinas the win over the Saguaros on Saturday.

After the Saguaros took a 7-6 lead in the top of the ninth, Brandon Fahey (Orioles) led off the bottom of the inning with a walk.

Jeff Clement (Mariners) drew another free pass with one out before Michael Johnson (Padres) moved both runners into scoring position with a groundout to first base.

Markakis, the Orioles' minor league player of the year, promptly fell behind 0-2 before fouling off a pitch, then coming through with a single up the middle.

The Javelinas, who snapped a four-game losing streak, had already come from behind twice. They trailed, 2-0, after two innings before scoring three times in the fourth. One inning later, they found themselves in a 4-3 hole before rallying for two more runs in the sixth.

Markakis, whose heroics came against Blue Jays righthander Bubbie Buzachero (0-1), went 2-for-5 with a run scored. Adam Jones (Mariners) and Corey Hart (Brewers) each knocked in a pair of runs, while Prince Fielder (Brewers) contributed a solo homer.

Rockies righthander Jim Miller (1-0) earned the win, despite giving up the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth.

The Saguaros hit three home runs but ended up losing their fourth straight game. Ryan Roberts (Blue Jays) belted a solo shot in the first and Josh Fields (White Sox) connected for a two-run blast in the fifth.

Brad Eldred, who slugged 12 homers in just 190 at-bats in Pittsburgh, tied the game at 6-6 with a two-run blast in the eighth.