Minor League Ball Gameday, October 12: AFL Edition

Yesterday's action included Andrew Heaney throwing three very impressive innings for Glendale, Brandon Jacobs and Kris Bryant leaving the yard for the second time, Mitch Haniger snagging a four hit game and Steven Souza swiping three bases while reaching base four out of five trips to the plate.

Recaps

*** Peoria took down Salt River 5-3 behind Designated Hitter Jonathan Meyer's first home run of the fall. He finished 1/3 with the home run, a run scored, two RBI's, a walk and strike out. Short Stop Chris Taylor had a solid day at the top of the order getting two hits while stealing a bag and scoring a run in five trips to the plate. Catcher Austin Hedges was great behind the plate, picking off a runner while catching three of five base stealers, but did make an error. At the plate he was 2/4 with a double, two RBI's, and a strike out. Starting pitcher Brandon Maurer lasted 1.2 innings where he gave up three hits, two runs (both earned) and walked two without recording a punch out. Relief pitcher Jonas Dufek threw a scoreless 8th inning, striking out the side but allowing one hit before Ken Giles came in for the save in the 9th and struck out the side.

*** Salt River made too many outs on the bases yesterday, getting caught on the basepaths five times. Three runners were caught stealing, one was picked off by the opposing catcher and one was thrown out at second base on the back end of a double play. Right Fielder Tim Wheeler had a good day at the plate, going 3/4 with an RBI, stolen base buit was also caught stealing. Lead off man and Center Fielder Kenny Wilson was the main culprit on the bases though. He was 2/3 at the plate with a pair of walks, strike out and run scored, but was thrown out trying to steal twice and was picked off by Hedges. Short Stop Cristhian Adames provided some punch with a two run double in the 2nd inning as part of a 1/2 day with a run scored, walk, strike out and stolen base. Starter Sam Gaviglio went four innings while giving up six hits, 3 earned runs, a walk, three strike outs and a home run. RHP Merrill Kelly threw a scoreless 5th and 6th innings, allowing two hits and struck out one.

*** Glendale's pitching staff had some of their best stuff last night and took down Scottsdale by a score of 5-1 They weren't immune to the strike outs though, coming up empty 13 times. Starting pitcher Andrew Heaney led the way with three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out six and not allowing a walk. Relievers Nick Wittgren and Zack Jones both struck out the side in an inning of work, but Jones also allowed an unearned run and a hit. Lefty Edgar Olmos struck out two in an inning of work, and Drew Hayes struck out one with a hit mixed in. 2013 draftee Colby Suggs also threw an inning with a pair of walks and a strike out. At the plate, Glendale was led by a long ball from right fielder Brandon Jacobs, his second of the year. He struck out his three other trips to the plate. Second baseman Eddie Rosario went 2/5 with three RBI's, a stolen base and pair of strike outs. Even Byron Buxton succumbed to the K, going 1/5 with four strike outs, a run scored and double.

*** Scottsdale had a case of the whiffs last night, striking out 17 times as a team while only scraping across one run. Right fielder Cory Vaughn scored the lone run in a 1/4 night with a triple and two strike outs, scoring on a passed ball in the 4th inning. First baseman Angel Villalona recorded the only multi-hit game of the night for Scottsdale, going 2/4 with a double and pair of whiffs. Three different players came up empty three times, catcher Peter O'Brien, third baseman Kyle Kubitza, and right fielder Alex Dickerson, though Dickerson did pitch in a single. On the mound, starter Hansel Robles only lasted an innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs, a walk and strike out. Relief pitcher Derek Law tossed 1.2 innings of perfect baseball with three strike outs. Fellow reliever Chasen Bradford added two more perfect innings with a pair of strike outs and James Pazos kicked in another perfect inning with two whiffs.

*** Mesa's high powered offense can't be stopped. The Solar Sox are now 3-0-1 on the year with a victory over Surprise 7-3. Designated hitter Kris Bryant sent another helpless ball of leather over the fences, his second of the year, in a 2/5 game with a pair of RBI's and a run scored. Center fielder Steven Souza was everywhere, going 2/3 with two walks, a double, a run scored, three RBI's, and three stolen bases. First baseman CJ Cron pitched in with a 2/5 game including a double, run scored and pair of whiffs. Starter Dallas Beeler threw three solid innings, allowing three hits, an earned run, a walk, two strike outs and a pair of pick offs. Relievers Jeff Urlaub and Richie Mirowski each threw a clean frame with a strike out and fellow bullpen mate Mike Morin threw a scoreless innings with a strike out and a hit allowed.

*** Surprise got themselves into a hole early with starting pitcher Will Lamb allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in 2.2 innings with a walk and two strike outs. Center fielder Mitch Haniger did everything he could, going 4/4 with a double, run scored and was picked off. Catcher Michael Ohlman was 1/2 with two walks and two runs scored as well. Right fielder Dariel Alvarez went 2/4 with a double and an RBI. Pitching in relief, Noe Ramirez threw 1.1 perfect innings, David Goforth added a perfect innings, and Tyler Cravy went 1.1 innings with just a walk allowed and no runs.

Probable Starters

No games today. Sorry.

Linkage

***With no games today, there still is some baseball action in Arizona. Today is the Bowman Hitting Challenge which is a crazy home run derby style hitting tournament. One player from each MLB organization competes to hit home runs for point values. Check the link for more info.

***The cats at AmazinAvenue looked at the Mets players in the AFL.

***The Baseball Prospectus Minor League Update is back for the Arizona Fall League with more great insights. If it is behind the paywall, please let me know so I can persuade you to pony up a few bucks for the great work they do throughout the year ;) Kidding, I'll take the link down if it's behind the wall.