Arizona Fall League Capsules

By Chris Kline
October 26, 2006

Nov. 9

Mesa 5, Phoenix 4 (11 innings)

The Solar Sox rallied for a run against righthander Jared Burton (Rangers) in the bottom of the 11th to knock off Phoenix, 5-4. Shortstop Matt Tolbert (Twins) and first baseman Michel Abreu (Mets) led the Mesa attack, with Abreu driving in a pair of runs while going 2-for-5 with a run scored.

Grand Canyon 8, Peoria Javelinas 0

Rafters first baseman Joe Koshansky (Rockies) continued to swing a hot bat after scuffling early in the AFL with back problems, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs as Grand Canyon shut down Peoria, 8-0. Mitch Maier (Royals), Brad Eldred (Pirates), and Travis Metcalf (Rangers) all recorded multi-hit games for the Rafters in the win.

Scottsdale 7, Peoria Saguaros 6

The Scorpions scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning against reliever Leonel Rosales (Padres) to topple the Saguaros, 7-6. Jason Jaramillo (Phillies) went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and Kory Casto (Nationals) added a pair of hits for Peoria in the win. Jamie D'Antona (Diamondbacks) and Danny Richar (Diamondbacks) each homered in a losing effort for Scottsdale.


Nov. 8

Scottsdale 5, Phoenix 4

Scorpions first baseman Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks) homered, doubled and drove in three runs as Scottsdale defeated Phoenix, 5-4. The Desert Dogs took a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth at Scottsdale Stadium, but Reynolds' three-run homer off Calvin Medlock (Reds) was the crushing blow. Righthander Billy Sadler (Giants), earned the victory by pitching the final 1 2/3 innings for the Scorpions, striking out two.

Peoria Javelinas 10, Peoria Saguaros 6

The Javelinas racked up 14 hits, as five players recorded multi-hit games to defeat the Saguaros, 10-6. Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox) went 3-for-5 and second baseman J.C. Holt went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored to lead the Javelinas.

Mesa 4, Grand Canyon 0

Six Solar Sox pitchers scattered five hits, and Brooks Conrad (Astros) and A.J. Ellis (Dodgers) each homered as Mesa shut out the Rafters, 4-0. Lefthander Troy Patton (Astros) earned the win, striking out one over one inning of work in the fifth.

Nov. 7

Phoenix 6, Scottsdale 5 (10 innings)

Chip Cannon (Blue Jays) hit a walk-off solo homer off Scottsdale lefthander Wes Whisler (White Sox) in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the Desert Dogs over Scottsdale, 6-5. Cannon, who leads the AFL in home runs with 11, is three bombs shy of tying Angels shortstop Brandon Wood's single-season record of 14 homers set last year. Only six players in AFL history have hit 11 home runs or more in a season--Ryan Klesko (1992), J.R. Phillips (1993), Ron Wright (1997), George Lombard (1999), Hank Blalock (2001) and Tagg Bozied (2002). Bozied previously held the single-season mark with 12 before Wood topped him in 2005.

Mesa 21, Grand Canyon 4

The Solar Sox scored 21 runs on 21 hits in a lopsided affair in Surprise, Ariz., on Tuesday. Eight Mesa players--Eric Patterson (Cubs), Matt Tolbert (Twins), Scott Moore (Cubs), Michel Abreu (Mets), Matt Moses (Twins), Doug Deeds (Twins), Jake Fox (Cubs), and Fernando Martinez (Mets)--recorded multi-hit games and the Solar Sox hit a grand total of seven doubles against the Rafters pitching staff.

Peoria Saguaros 5, Peoria Javelinas 2

The Saguaros got a strong pitching effort from five different arms, led by starter Darrell Rasner (Yankees) to defeat the Javelinas, 5-2. Brett Gardner (Yankees) and Peter Pilittere (Yankees) each had a pair of hits in the victory.

Nov. 2

Peoria Javelinas 8, Mesa 1

Javelinas infielder Yunel Escobar continued to ride a hot streak, going 3-for-4 and hitting a grand slam off Mesa righthander Lincoln Holdzkom (Cubs), as Peoria blasted the Solar Sox, 8-1. After celebrating his 24th birthday in style, Escobar now has nine hits over his last three games, upping his average to .407 in the AFL. Michael Wilson (Mariners) also homered for the Javelinas, and Joe Inglett (Indians) had a pair of hits in the victory.

Grand Canyon 8, Scottsdale 5

Jeff Fiorentino (Orioles) and Matt Miller (Rockies) both homered to lead the Rafters past Scottsdale, 8-5. Fiorentino, Miller and Fernando Cortez (Royals) all had two hits apiece, and Jesse Chavez (Pirates) closed things out in the ninth for Grand Canyon, picking up his third save of the fall and lowering his ERA to 0.90.

Peoria Saguaros 3, Phoenix 1

Peoria manufactured three runs early against Desert Dogs righthander Jordan Tata (Tigers), and got outstanding pitching performances from Gio Gonzalez (Phillies), Jonathan Felfoldi (Nationals), Devin Perrin (Nationals), and Leonel Rosales (Padres) to knock off Phoenix, 3-1. Tata allowed three runs on five hits over four innings of work. Ben Zobrist (Devil Rays), stayed hot at the plate for the Desert Dogs, going 3-for-5 and scoring the team's lone run. Currently riding a nine-game hit streak, Zobrist has collected 10 hits over his last four games.

Nov. 1

Grand Canyon 5, Scottsdale 3

Rafters outfielder Mitch Maier (Royals) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Dustin Yount (Orioles) drove in three runs as Grand Canyon topped Scottsdale, 5-3. Utilityman Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks) led the Scorpions attack with a pair of hits, upping his average to .350.

Phoenix 10, Peoria Saguaros 7

Elijah Dukes (Devil Rays) hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning off Dan Foli (Nationals) as the Desert Dogs defeated Peoria, 10-7. Dukes, who joined the league last week after not playing since July 26, has showed little rust this fall. In 29 at-bats, Dukes is hitting .345 with six of his 10 hits going for extra bases. Peoria rattled out 12 hits--with five players recording multi-hit games.

Peoria Javelinas 6, Mesa 3

The top of the Javelinas lineup was outstanding, as Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), Trevor Crowe (Indians) and Gaby Sanchez (Marlins) combined for five hits, four RBIs and four runs scored as Peoria defeated Mesa, 6-3. Second baseman Yunel Escobar (Braves) added three hits of his own in the victory, and righthander Sean White (Braves) allowed a run on two hits over four innings of work for the Javelinas.

Oct. 31

Peoria Saguaros 6, Mesa 3

Peoria shortstop Brendan Ryan (Cardinals) went 4-for-5 with three doubles, and Eric Duncan (Yankees) and Josh Whitesell (Nationals) had two hits apiece as the Saguaros defeated Mesa, 6-3. Righthander Matt Albers (Astros) tossed three scoreless innings, striking out four for the Solar Sox, while Darrell Rasner (Yankees) threw four shutout frames for Peoria.

Scottsdale 7, Peoria Javelinas 6

Scottsdale first baseman Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks) went 3-for-6 and drove in four runs as the Scorpions held on to defeat the Javelinas, 7-6. Scorpions shortstop Kevin Fransden (Giants), right fielder Fred Lewis (Giants) and third baseman Ryan Braun (Brewers) combined to go 7-for-12 and scored five runs in the victory. First baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (Indians) and Michael Garciaparra (Mariners) each had a pair of hits for Peoria.

Grand Canyon 4, Phoenix 2

The Rafters scored a pair of runs off righthander Tracy Thorpe (Blue Jays) in the top of the eighth inning to take a 4-2 lead, then Grand Canyon righthander Jesse Chavez (Pirates) slammed the door on Phoenix to seal the victory. Matt Miller (Rockies) went 2-for-3 with a homer, and Mitch Maier (Royals) had a pair of hits to lead the Rafters. Phoenix first baseman Chip Cannon (Blue Jays) hit his AFL-leading ninth homer in the losing effort.

Oct. 30

Peoria Javelinas 12, Scottsdale 3

The Javelinas pounded out 15 hits, jumping on Scottsdale lefthander Corwin Malone (White Sox) early to rout the Scorpions, 12-3. Peoria left fielder Josh Burrus (Braves) hit two homers and drove in five, and the top three hitters in the Javelinas lineup--Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), Michael Garciaparra (Mariners), and Gaby Sanchez (Marlins) went a combined 7-for-12 with five RBIs. Lenny DiNardo (Red Sox) picked up the win by pitching two scoreless innings of relief for the Javelinas.

Mesa 14, Peoria Saguaros 4

Mesa first baseman Michel Abreu (Mets) hit two home runs and drove in five runs to lead the Solar Sox past Peoria, 14-4 on Monday. Righthander Kevin Slowey (Twins), allowed a run on two hits and struck out three over three innings of work, and Jonathan Meloan (Dodgers) threw another scoreless inning to shut down the Saguaros. This fall, the 2004 fifth-round pick is 1-0, 0.87 with 13 strikeouts in 10 innings.

Phoenix 8, Grand Canyon 3

Kevin Melillo (Athletics) went 3-for-5 and Chip Cannon (Blue Jays) hit his AFL-leading eighth home run to lead Phoenix past the Rafters, 8-3. Cannon, a 2004 eighth-round pick, also leads the league with a .393 average. Desert Dogs shortstop Ben Zobrist (Devil Rays) went 3-for-4, and Curtis Thigpen (Blue Jays) and Kody Kirkland (Tigers) also collected two hits apiece for Phoenix, who has the best record in the AFL at 11-6.

Oct. 25

Phoenix 23, Peoria Javelinas 9

Even in the hitter-happy Arizona Fall League, Phoenix' pounding of the Javenlinas was exceptionally brutal. Eight different Phoenix batters had multi-hit games with Curtis Thigpen's (Blue Jays) home runs and six RBIs and Chip Cannon (Blue Jays) home runs and four hits leading the way. Elijah Dukes (Devil Rays) added three hits, three runs and three RBIs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Braves) homered twice for Peoria.

Scottsdale 7, Mesa 5

Shortstop Kevin Fransden (Giants) hit two home runs and third baseman Matt Brown (Angels) added a home run and three hits in Scottsdale's win over Mesa.

Grand Canyon 5, Peoria Saguaros 0

Five Grand Canyon pitchers combined on a three hitter, whle shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI as Grand Canyon shutout the Saguaros.

Oct. 24

Mesa 12, Peoria Saguaros 7

Hunter Pence (Astros) homered twice and drove in four runs and Eric Patterson (Cubs) added three hits of his own as Mesa outlasted the Sagauros in a game that featured 29 hits. Few of the game's 10 pitchers escaped unscathed, but Stuart Pomeranz (Cardinals) was the biggest victim, as he allowed seven runs in only 1 2/3 innings. Reliever Troy Patton (Astros) picked up the win despite allowing three runs in three innings.

Grand Canyon 9, Phoenix 7 (10)

Nolan Reimold (Orioles) homered to lead off the 10th, Bryan Bass (Orioles) tripled to drive in Fernando Cortez and Mitch Maier (Royals) singled to drive in Bass as Grand Canyon edged Phoenix in 10 innings. Maier finished the day with three hits. Elijah Dukes went 2-for-2 in his Arizona Fall League debut, which also marked his first game action since July.

Scottsdale 12, Peoria Javelinas 6

Freddy Lewis (Giants) went 2-for-2 with a home run, triple and three RBIs and Ryan Braun (Brewers) slugged his fifth home run in 11 Fall League games. Seven different Scottsdale players had multi-hit games while righthander Manny Parra (Brewers) was effective allowing only three hits and one walk in four scoreless innings.


Oct. 23

Grand Canyon 4, Peoria Javelinas 2

Rangers lefthander John Koronka and four relievers combined on a six-hitter, while Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies), Jeff Fiorentino (Orioles), Fernando Cortez (Devil Rays), Adam Donachie (Royals) and Anthony Webster (Rangers) each had two hits for Grand Canyon. Kevin Kouzmanoff (Indians) homered for the Javelinas.

Phoenix 3, Mesa 2

After two rough starts, Blue Jays righthander Dustin McGowan showed signs that he's settling in, as he allowed six hits and two runs in five innings of work to pick up a win against Mesa. McGowan had allowed seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in his first two starts. Six Phoenix relievers allowed no runs in four innings to preserve the victory with Marcus McBeth (Athletics) getting his second save. Fernando Martinez (Mets) homered for Mesa.

Peoria Saguaros 5, Scottsdale 3

Brett Gardner (Yankees) went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and Brendan Ryan (Cardinals) went 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs as the Saguaros knocked off Scottsdale. Gavin Floyd (Phillies) and J.A. Happ (Phillies) combined for six scoreless innings.


Oct. 19

Peoria Saguaros 5, Grand Canyon 0

The Saguaros received seven solid innings from Yankee righthander Darrell Rasner and lefthander Sean Henn, then Eric Harberer (Cardinals) and Leonel Rosales (Padres) closed out the shutout over the Rafters, scattering six hits in the process. Rasner allowed three hits and struck out five over four innings, while Henn also whiffed five, allowing just one hit over three frames. Josh Whitesell (Nationals) led the offensive attack for Peoria, going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Brett Gardner (Yankees) and Eric Duncan (Yankees) also collected two hits apiece in the victory.

Mesa 9, Scottsdale 1

The Solar Sox got a strong pitching performance from righthanders Matt Albers (Astros) and Lincoln Holdzkom (Cubs), and the offense came alive for 11 hits as Mesa downed Scottsdale, 9-1. Albers tossed four hitless innings, striking out two, while Holdzkom allowed a run on one hit over three innings of relief. Mesa jumped on Scottsdale righthander Steven Jackson, who allowed six runs on seven hits--including a homer by Anthony Raglani (Dodgers)--over just three innings of work. Hunter Pence (Astros) went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Raglani went deep twice, finishing the day going 2-for-4.

Phoenix 6, Peoria Javelinas 0

Shutouts in the AFL are rare, and two shutouts in one day, even rarer. But Phoenix blanked Peoria behind four shutout innings by Tyler Pelland (Reds), and scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat the Javelinas, 6-0. Desert Dogs left fielder Cody Strait (Cardinals) went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and designated hitter Javon Moran (Reds) hit a two-run double off Peoria reliever Scott Nestor (Marlins). Nestor allowed all five runs in the seventh, giving up five hits over just 2/3 of an inning.

Oct. 18

Peoria Saguaros 6, Grand Canyon 3

The Rafters fell for just the second time in the AFL season, as Saguaros left fielder Dee Brown (Nationals) and catcher Jason Jaramillo (Phillies) each hit two-run homers in the third inning against Grand Canyon lefthander John Koronka to highlight the 6-3 win. Jaramillo went 2-for-4, while Eric Duncan (Yankees) also had a pair of hits and drove in two runs for Peoria. Righthander Stuart Pomeranz (Cardinals) allowed two runs on six hits over the first three innings, and Phillies righthander Kyle Kendrick tossed three shutout innings of relief to shut down Grand Canyon.

Phoenix 9, Peoria Javelinas 6

The Desert Dogs raked Peoria lefthander Bobby Livingston (Mariners) for six runs on nine hits over 3 1/3 innings as Phoenix topped the Javelinas, 9-6. Catcher Curtis Thigpen (Blue Jays) added a two-run homer in the sixth off Desert Dogs reliever Matt Yorkin (Marlins) to seal the win. Nine players had multi-hit games, including J.C. Holt (Braves, 2-for-5), Michael Garciaparra (Mariners, 2-for-4), Brett Carroll (Marlins, 2-for-5), Chad Spann (Red Sox, 2-for-4), Josh Burrus (Braves, 2-for-4), Fernando Perez (Devil Rays, 3-for-5), Travis Buck (Athletics, 2-for-4), Drew Anderson (Reds, 2-for-5) and Thigpen, who finished the day 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

Scottsdale 7, Mesa 3

The Scorpions scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to topple the Solar Sox, 7-3 on Wednesday. Four of those runs were charged to lefthander Jeff Sawatski (Twins), who gave up four hits in just 1 1/3 innings. Scottsdale used seven pitchers, with the win going to righthander Matt Elliot (Diamondbacks). Elliot allowed just one hit and whiffed three in his lone inning of work. Eric Patterson (Cubs) went 2-for-4 and Hunter Pence (Astros) had a pair of hits and stole three bases in a losing effort for the Solar Sox.

Oct. 17

Scottsdale 3, Grand Canyon 1

After six scoreless innings--an AFL rarity--the Rafters took a 1-0 lead on a solo homer by Travis Metcalf (Rangers), but Scottsdale rallied for three runs against reliever Ryan Keefer (Orioles) to defeat Grand Canyon, 3-1. Scorpions utilityman Mark Reynolds continued his hot streak, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and upping his average to .450 (9-for-20). Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies) went 2-for-4 and Nolan Reimold (Orioles) added a double for the Rafters in a losing effort.

Mesa 14, Peoria Javelinas 9

In a game that featured a combined 30 hits, Solar Sox outfielder Anthony Raglani (Dodgers) was the star, going 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and five RBIs as Mesa defeated the Javelinas, 14-9. Aside from Raglani, five other Mesa players recorded multi hit games: Beau Torbert (Astros), Scott Moore (Cubs), Matt Moses (Twins), Fernando Martinez (Mets), and A.J. Ellis (Dodgers). Moore, Torbert and Michel Abreu (Mets) all went deep for Mesa. On Peoria's side of the shootout, Kevin Kouzmanoff (Indians), Gaby Sanchez (Marlins), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Braves), Brett Carroll (Marlins) and Chad Spann (Red Sox) all had two hits or more. Kouzmanoff led the way with a 3-for-5 performance, driving in three runs with a pair of doubles.

Peoria Saguaros 9, Phoenix 0

The Saguaros scored nine runs without outfielder Kory Casto (Nationals) in the lineup. Casto, who strung together four straight multi-hit games and is hitting .500 (9-for-18) overall, has been excused from the team to get married. In Casto's absence, 1-2 hitters Brett Gardner (Yankees) and Brendan Ryan (Cardinals) combined to go 6-for-9 with four RBIs and four pitchers--including Phillies prospects J.A. Happ and Zack Segovia--shut down the Desert Dogs. The Saguaros offense tagged Phoenix starter Dustin McGowan for six runs on four hits--McGowan also walked five--over 2 1/3 innings. In a league where the bats do the majority of the talking, the Desert Dogs have now been shut out twice.

Oct. 16

Grand Canyon 9, Scottsdale 8

Highlighted by a double by Neil Walker (Pirates), Grand Canyon erupted for four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Scottsdale, 9-8 on Monday. It was a two-base parade for the Rafters, as Walker, Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies), Matt Miller (Rockies), Travis Metcalf (Rangers) all doubled, and Jeff Fiorentino (Orioles) rapped a pair of doubles in the win. Scottsdale jumped all over Grand Canyon starter Luke Hochevar, who allowed seven runs on six hits in just 2 1/3 innings.

Phoenix 14, Peoria Saguaros 6

The middle of the Desert Dogs' lineup was largely responsible for the pummeling of Peoria, as Travis Buck (Athletics) and Chip Cannon (Blue Jays) combined to go 6-for-9 with seven RBIs and six runs scored. Cannon, who went a perfect 3-for-3 on the day, homered twice, while Buck and Brent Clevlen (Tigers) each added homers for Phoenix. Saguaros outfielder Amaury Marti continued his hot streak, going 2-for-4 while hitting his third homer of the fall season. In four AFL games, Marti has recorded three multi-hit performances, going 8-for-20 (.400).

Peoria Javelinas 11, Mesa 4

The Javelinas made short work of righthander Chad Reineke (Astros) by scoring four runs in the fourth inning, then added four more in the eighth to down Mesa, 11-4. Yunel Escobar (Braves) and Gaby Sanchez (Marlins) both doubled off Reineke, who allowed four runs on five hits in his one inning of work and took the loss. Escobar went 4-for-6 with a pair of doubles and a stolen base, and Braves catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia continued to put his regular season woes behind him at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and a homer. Peoria righthander Steven Jackson was solid in his second straight appearance, allowing a run on three hits and striking out two over three innings to lower his ERA to 1.80.

Oct. 12

Mesa 7, Grand Canyon 7

Mesa catcher A.J. Ellis (Dodgers) hit an RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game at 7-7. The two clubs played another pair of innings before it was suspended. Solar Sox shortstop Beau Torbert (Astros) led Mesa with three hits--all singles--and three runs scored. Grand Canyon left fielder Jeff Fiorentino went 3-for-5 with a double, and Brad Eldred (Pirates) doubled and drove in three runs for the Rafters.

Peoria Javelinas 17, Peoria Saguaros 15

The Javelinas' eight-run seventh inning was too much for the Saguaros to overcome in the biggest shootout of the AFL season so far. The two teams combined for 40 hits, as 13 players finished with multi-hit games. Leading the Javelinas were Braves infielder Yunel Escobar (2-for-4), Indians outfielder Trevor Crowe (3-for-6), Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez (2-for-6), Braves catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (4-for-5), Marlins outfielder Brett Carroll (3-for-6) and Mariners second baseman Michael Garciaparra (3-for-5). Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner (3-for-4), Cardinals infielder Brendan Ryan (4-for-6), Nationals outfielder Kory Casto (2-for-4), Phillies catcher Jason Jaramillo (2-for-5), Cardinals outfielder Amaury Marti (3-for-6), and Nationals first baseman Josh Whitesell (2-for-4) paced the Saguaros attack. The Javelinas hammered Phillies righthander Joe Bisenius in the seventh, scoring eight runs on six hits in just 1/3 of an inning.

Phoenix 7, Scottsdale 3

Desert Dogs righthander Kyle Yates (Blue Jays) whiffed six over three innings of relief and Brent Clevlen (Tigers) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored at Phoenix topped the Scorpions, 7-3. The Desert Dogs jumped on starter Manny Parra (Brewers), touching the lefthander for four runs on four hits in the first two innings. Scottsdale second baseman Danny Richar (Diamondbacks) went 2-for-5, and D-Backs utilityman Mark Reynolds homered, finishing with a 2-for-4 day with a pair of runs driven in and two runs scored.

Oct. 11

Peoria Saguaros 15, Scottsdale 9

The Saguaros pounded out 18 hits--including four homers--to out-gun Scottsdale, 15-9. Left fielder Kory Casto (Nationals) hit a grand slam in the fifth off Scorpions righthander Richard Thompson (Angels), and first baseman Vince Sinisi (Padres), right fielder Amaury Marti (Cardinals) and third baseman Chase Headley (Padres) also went deep for Peoria. Terry Evans (Angels), Vinny Rottino (Brewers) and Mark Reynolds (Diamondbacks) each collected two hits apiece for Scottsdale, with Rottino driving in five runs. White Sox lefthander Corwin Malone--who hasn't visited the win column since July 22--took the loss, allowing four earned runs on four hits over 1 2/3 innings. Phillies lefty J.A. Happ started for Peoria, but also didn't pitch particularly well. Happ allowed three runs on a pair of hits and walked two over 1 1/3 innings.

Mesa 3, Phoenix 0

Seven Solar Sox pitchers scattered five hits as Mesa blanked Phoenix, 3-0 at HoHoKam Park on Wednesday. Lefthander Errol Simonitsch (Twins) started things off by allowing three hits, striking out two and walking one over 2 2/3 innings for the Solar Sox. Continuing in the Minnesota-themed win, righthander Kevin Cameron (Twins) picked up the win by pitching a scoreless 1 1/3, striking out three; and righthander Kevin Slowey (Twins) notched the save by allowing a hit and whiffing one in the ninth. Matt Moses (Twins), Scott Moore (Cubs) and Chin-Lung Hu (Dodgers) all drove in runs for Mesa.

Grand Canyon 9, Peoria Javelinas 2

The hit parade continued for a second straight day for the Rafters, who are the lone unbeaten team in the AFL. Brad Eldred (Pirates) and Joe Koshansky (Rockies) each homered, and Adam Donachie (Royals) added a pair of doubles to highlight the 13-hit attack. Trevor Crowe and Joe Inglett (Indians), as well as Yunel Escobar (Braves) each collected two hits for Peoria in the losing effort.


Oct. 10

Phoenix 3, Mesa 0

Desert Dogs second baseman Kevin Melillo (Athletics) provided all the offense Phoenix needed, connecting for a solo homer in the first inning, then adding a double in a 3-0 win against the Solar Sox. Left fielder Cody Strait (Reds) and designated hitter Chip Cannon (Blue Jays) added two hits apiece and righthander Jeff Niemann (Devil Rays) shut down Mesa for three innings before giving way to a plethora of relievers. Righthander Marcus McBeth (Athletics) picked up the save, tossing a perfect ninth.

Grand Canyon 12, Peoria Javelinas 6

Rafters left fielder Matt Miller (Rockies) hit a grand slam in the fifth and finished with six RBIs as Grand Canyon won a shootout with Peoria, 12-6. Travis Metcalf (Rangers) and Craig Stansberry (Pirates) also homered to lead the Rafters. Peoria outfielder Trevor Crowe--with the move to second base placed firmly in the past--went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored to lead the Javelinas' offense. The Rafters ran wild on catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, burning the Braves backstop for five stolen bases. Saltalamacchia, who went 1-for-4 in his AFL debut, also committed three errors. Righthander Luke Hochevar (Royals) started for Grand Canyon. The 2006 first overall pick allowed a run on a pair of hits, struck out two and walked one over three innings of work.

Scottsdale 7, Peoria Saguaros 4

Scorpions third baseman Ryan Braun (Brewers) went 2-for-4 with a homer and drove in three to lead Scottsdale past the Saguaros, 7-4. Terry Evans (Angels), Danny Richar (Diamondbacks), and Bobby Wilson (Angels) each collected two hits for the Scorpions. Peoria right fielder Nick Stavinoha (Cardinals) led the Saguaros' attack, going 3-for-5 with a run scored.