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Hello world. I apologize for the late thread, but I promise it's worth it.The Fall Stars featured a few standout performances, most notably from Mariner's prospect Stefen Romero and Rangers prospect Brett Nicholas of the AFL West squad. Both launched two home runs a piece, with Romero going oppo on each of his to right field, and Nicholas sending a pair of solo shots to right as well. Third baseman Garin Cecchini joined the party in the 8th, knocking a solo shot as well. The AFL East squad had a pair of triples from Devon Travis and Stephen Piscotty but only two runs total. Final score: AFL WEST 9 - AFL EAST 2.
Box Scores
AFL WEST
| Player | Pos | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | K | SB |
| Delino DeShields | LF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stefen Romero | LF | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyler Naquin | DH | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Byron Buxton | CF | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Colin Moran | 3B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Garin Cecchini | 3B | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jorge Bonifacio | RF | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Yorman Rodriguez | RF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corey Seager | SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Marcus Semien | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Austin Hedges | C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jorge Alfaro | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brett Nicholas | 1B | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mookie Betts | 2B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Eddie Rosario | 2B | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 36 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
BATTING -
3B: Naquin (1, Crick).
HR: Nicholas 2 (2, 4th inning off Bedrosian, 0 on, 0 out; 7th inning off Familia, 0 on, 2 out), Romero, S 2 (2, 6th inning off Montgomery, M, 1 on, 0 out; 8th inning off Knebel, 0 on, 0 out), Cecchini (1, 8th inning off Barrett, 0 on, 2 out).
TB: Nicholas 9; Romero, S 8; Cecchini 4; Buxton; Moran 2; Bonifacio; Naquin 3; Rosario, Ed.
RBI: Buxton (1), Seager (1), Nicholas 2 (2), Romero, S 3 (3), Cecchini (1).
2-out RBI: Nicholas; Cecchini.
RLISP, 2 out: Bonifacio; Hedges; Nicholas; Semien.
SAC: DeShields.
GIDP: Rodriguez, Y.
Team RISP: 1-for-11.
Team LOB: 9
FIELDING -
DP: (Hedges-Seager).
PITCHING -
| Player | Pos | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | GO-FO |
| Alex Meyer (W) | RHP | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3-0 |
| Eduardo Rodriguez (H) | LHP | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2-0 |
| Ken Giles | RHP | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0-0 |
| Keyvius Sampson | RHP | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0-0 |
| Chris Bassitt | RHP | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1-2 |
| Yimi Garcia | RHP | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-1 |
| David Goforth | RHP | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2-0 |
| Jonas Dufek | RHP | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 |
| TOTAL | 9 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 8-3 |
HBP: Nieto (by Bassitt).
Pitches-strikes: Meyer, A 44-23, Rodriguez, Ed 18-9, Giles 22-12, Sampson 14-8, Bassitt 16-8, Garcia, Y 12-10, Goforth 6-5, Dufek 6-4
AFL EAST
| Player | Pos | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | K | CS |
| James Ramsey | LF | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Mason Williams | CF | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brian Goodwin | CF-LF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Kris Bryant | 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| CJ Cron | 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Taylor Lindsey | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| a-Devon Travis | PH-2B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stephen Piscotty | DH | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| b-Kyle Parker | PH-DH | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jorge Soler | RF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Albert Almora | RF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Peter O'Brien | C | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Adrian Nieto | C | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Addison Russell | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Alen Hanson | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 34 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
a- D.Travis popped out in the 6th. b- K. Parker struck out in the 6th.
BATTING -
2B: Williams, M (1, Dufek).
3B: Piscotty (1, Meyer, A), Travis (1, Garcia, Y).
TB: Soler; Goodwin; Ramsey, J; Cron; Bryant; Travis 3; Piscotty 3; Williams, M 3.
RBI: Williams, M (1), Travis (1).
2-out RBI: Williams, M.
RLISP, 2 out: O'Brien; Goodwin 3; Almora.
Team RISP: 1-for-7.
Team LOB: 9.
FIELDING -
E: Bryant 2 (2, fielding, throw).
DP: (Hanson-Travis-Cron).
PITCHING -
| Player | Pos | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | GO-FO |
| Aaron Sanchez | RHP | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2-1 |
| Kyle Crick (L) | RHP | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3-0 |
| Cam Bedrosian | RHP | 1.0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1-1 |
| Marcus Stroman | RHP | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0-1 |
| Mike Montgomery | LHP | 1.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1-0 |
| Jeurys Familia | RHP | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3-0 |
| Corey Knebel | RHP | 0.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1-0 |
| Jake Barrett | RHP | 0.1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1-0 |
| TOTAL | 8.0 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 12-3 |
WP: Bedrosian.
Pitches-strikes: Sanchez, A 29-18, Crick 27-15, Bedrosian 24-11, Stroman 19-10, Montgomery, M 21-12, Familia 11-7, Knebel 11-6, Barrett 8-5
Game Recap
The game started off with right hander Alex Meyer on the hill for the West and left fielder James Ramsey leading it off for the East. There was a little action in the first with Brian Goodwin singling to right through the hole. With Kris Bryant up, Goodwin lit out for second and was hosed by West catcher Austin Hedges. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Twins&src=hash">#Twins</a> Alex Meyer is very quick 1.10 to 1.17 home to first with runner on first base.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396791887031324672">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Padres&src=hash">#Padres</a> Austin Hedges guns down Brian Goodwin with perfect footwork and throw to 2B on attempted steal. Hedges mechanics were outstanding.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396792288640118785">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>1.88 on Hedges pop. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23rig&src=hash">#rig</a></p>— Eric Longenhagen (@longenhagen) <a href="https://twitter.com/longenhagen/statuses/396792305060823040">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Bryant would strike out to finish the inning. In the bottom half, center fielder Byron Buxton got the action started with a walk where East starter Aaron Sanchez threw five consecutive fastballs from 90-96 mph. Third baseman Colin Moran followed with a single the other way with "Buck" burning from first to third on a hit and run.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BlueJays&src=hash">#BlueJays</a> Sanchez is .118 to the plate with runner on first. Gave up inside out swing to <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Marlins&src=hash">#Marlins</a> Moran. Buxton was flying first to third.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396794293244792832">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The inning would come to an end with right fielder Jorge Bonifacio lining out to right. In the second inning Meyter had no trouble with the first two hitters but designated hitter Stephen Piscotty roped a triple to left on a hanging 87 mph change up inside. West left fielder Delino DeShields had a hard time with the fly from Piscotty and pretty much dropped it. Right fielder Jorge Soler worked a walk before a force out ended the top half. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Triple by <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23STLCards&src=hash">#STLCards</a> Piscotty on a bad read and route by LF Delino DeShields-he's normally a LF. Ball should have been caught.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396796347971424257">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> In the bottom half of the second, the first two batters went down quick with Sanchez pumping fastball after fastball. Corey Seager flied to center and Austin Hedges was robbed of a double down the line by a great play from Bryant at the hot corner. Brett Nicholas then stepped up and smoked a single to right before the inning ended on a Mookie Betts ground out. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cubs&src=hash">#Cubs</a> Kris Bryant shows off outstanding arm and good range on grounder to 3B. Scouts feel he has a RF arm. Best AFL player I've seen so far.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396798324432334848">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Short stop Addison Russell kicked off the third inning with a ground out to second base on an 86 mph slide piece with 10 inches of break on it. James Ramsey followed with a drag bunt single where he posted a 1.80 time home to first. On a full count to Brian Goodwin, Meyer snapped off a curve with 10 inch break at 84 mph and Goodwin came up empty as Ramsey took off for second. Hedges nailed him with time to spare to end the inning on a strike him out, throw him out double play.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Austin Hedges just popped 1.88 again, this time on a ball in the dirt to nail a fast runner. 13 of 20 runners out in AFL. Laughable. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Padres&src=hash">#Padres</a></p>— Padres Prospects (@PadresProspects) <a href="https://twitter.com/PadresProspects/statuses/396800734399692801">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If Kyle Crick's command/control tighten up, he's going to be a star. If it doesn't, he still might... just as a reliever. Electric stuff.</p>— Chris Rodriguez (@chrisrod13) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisrod13/statuses/396801488493617152">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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In the bottom of the third, the AFL East squad brought in Kyle Crick to pitch. He sat at 95-97, topping out at 99 mph. He retired the first batter before James Ramsey tripled to left. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Naquin puts a little drive into that one. Most scouts are lower on him than the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Indians&src=hash">#Indians</a> were bc his power hasnt played in games. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FallStars&src=hash">#FallStars</a></p>— Jeff Moore (@MLBPW) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPW/statuses/396801699022897152">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The next hitter was Byron Buxton who grounded one straight through Kris Bryant's legs at third, driving in Ramsey. A stolen base by Buxton and walk by Colin Moran set up Jorge Bonifacio. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Twins&src=hash">#Twins</a> Buxton stole 2B on the catcher. O'Brien had trouble getting ball out of his glove, and Buxton beat a good throw.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396803051312259072">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>The right fielder for the West squad reached on an infield single to the short stop and Corey Seager drove in Buxton on a fielder's choice. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Athletics&src=hash">#Athletics</a> Addison Russell gets to balls in the hole with quick first step. Just saved a run with quickness.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396803764310384640">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Austin Hedges then grounded into a force to end the inning.
In the fourth inning the West brought on Eduardo Rodriguez to replace Meyer. Rodriguez sat 92-95 with his fastball in his inning of work, mixing in a change at 84 mph, a slider at 84 and cutter between 85-87 mph. The slider had 7-8 inches of break on it and the cutter was breaking 6-8 inches. He got Bryant to pop out to second, then Cron to ground out to short. Taylor Lindsey worked a walk, taking a full count slider in the dirt for ball four. The next batter, Stephen Piscotty, hacked at the first pitch grounding out to third.
Cam Bedrosian was brought on to relieve Crick to finish the fourth inning. The right hander sat 90-94, hitting 96 to start the inning with his fastball. He mixed in some cutters at 88-89, sliders between 79-84 with anywhere from 8-11 inches of break on it. He hung a cutter to Brett Nicholas who mashed it over the right field fence. Mookie Betts then worked a seven pitch walk and stole second base without a throw. Delino DeShields laid down a sketchy sacrifice bunt to move Betts to third before Bedrosian uncorked a wild one that bounced off the backstop and up the first base line allowing Betts to score easily. Tyler Naquin struck out and Buxton flew out to right to end the scoring.
Right hander Ken Giles replaced Rodriguez on the hill for the West squad and the first pitch he threw was a 100 mph heater to Soler. He turned on it and lined it off the first baseman's glove for a single. Peter O'Brien went down swinging on seven straight fastballs between 97-99. Addison Russell went down looking on a 87 mph slider after another 100 mph blur to set him up. Ramsey worked a full count walk before Goodwin popped out to short. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Impressed with Giles tonight. Has mixed in the slider and has been around the plate. I see him as a high end closer. Needs command. 2 yrs</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396812317817442305">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Marcus Stroman took over for Bedrosian on the mound in the fifth. He sat 92-95 with his heat and his slider was 84-86 with 9-10 inches of break on it. He mixed in a few changes at 84-86 mph as well. He gave up a lead off single to Moran and a walk to Bonifacio to put him in a pinch early. All he did was strike out Seager and Hedges swinging then got Brett Nicholas to fly out to right and end the inning and the threat. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Stroman has tools to start. Success, like S.Gray, will depend on ability to command secondaries/change eye level and keep hitters off FB.</p>— Nick J. Faleris (@NickJFaleris) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickJFaleris/statuses/396814502743642112">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Great change up from Stroman. That's a good sign. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BlueJays&src=hash">#BlueJays</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23FallStars&src=hash">#FallStars</a></p>— Jeff Moore (@MLBPW) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPW/statuses/396814764430876673">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Marcus Stroman has all the traits of pitching awesomeness - he's short and rocks a single digit number.</p>— Jeff Moore (@MLBPW) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPW/statuses/396812985978859520">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The beginning of the sixth inning brought a handful of defensive substitutions. Stefen Romero replaced DeShields in left, Garin Cecchini took over for Moran at third, Yorman Rodriguez came in for Bonifacio in right, Marcus Semien took the reigns at short from Seager, Jorge Alfaro was brought in to catch for Hedges and Eddie Rosario replaced Mookie Betts at the keystone. Keyvius Sampson was brought in to pitch and stayed 92-94 with the fastball, topping out at 95 with a cutter, change and curve mixed in. Bryant led off and lined out to right on the first pitch. CJ Cron followed with a single to center before Devon Travis came in to hit for Taylor Lindsey. He would pop out to second and pinch hitter Kyle Parker struck out for Stephen Piscotty. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Sampson is slow to the plate, but <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rangers&src=hash">#Rangers</a> catcher Jorge Alfaro might have one of the strongest arms I've seen on a catcher. An absolute gun</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396816840120209408">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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More defensive switches came during the break in the sixth. Travis and Parker remained in the game while Goodwin moved from center to left. Starting left fielder James Ramsey was replaced with center fielder Mason Williams, Albert Almora took over for Soler in right, Adrian Nieto replaced Peter O'Brien behind the dish, Alen Hanson took over at short for Addison Russell and southpaw Mike Montgomery replaced Stroman on the mound. Montgomery worked mainly fastball-curveball in his outing with change ups sprinkled in.The heat was 91-94 with one touching 95 and the curve was consistently at 77 with 12-13 inches of break. His change up came in at 81-82 mph but was only thrown for a strike once.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Mike Montgomery's delivery looks like someone swinging a trash bag full of elbows.</p>— Jeff Moore (@MLBPW) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPW/statuses/396818064261783552">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> In Montgomery's inning of work he gave up a lead off single to Rosario before Romero stepped up and went oppo taco on a 92 mph fastball over the heart of the plate. Tyler Naquin worked a walk and Buxton singled to center before Montogomery recorded his first out on a strike out of Cecchini. Yorman Rodriguez stepped up next and grounded into an inning ending twin killing. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I've always felt Stefen Romero deserves a shot with the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Mariners&src=hash">#Mariners</a>. His home run to right field shows he has pop in his bat. Can swing it.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396818463378784258">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rays&src=hash">#Rays</a> Montgomery has trouble repeating delivery. Falls off to the side and isn't consistent with his release point. Injured in career.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396818759664422914">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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In the top half of the seventh the East brought in Chris Bassitt to replace Sampson. It was almost all fastballs for Bassitt, working 91-94, topping at 95 with a trio of curves at 77-78 with a foot of break to them. A fly out from Almora got him his first out then he plunked Nieto on an inside curve. Alen Hanson grounded back to the pitcher for the second out before Mason Williams lined one back up the middle for an RBI single, taking second on the throw home. Bassitt came back to get Goodwin for the third out on a fly ball to center. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Yankees&src=hash">#Yankees</a> Mason Williams showed quick hands through the ball on RBI single to right. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Reds&src=hash">#Reds</a> Yorman Rodriguez airmailed throw to plate from RF.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396822147542155264">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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After the seventh inning stretch, Jeurys Familia came on in relief of Montgomery. Familia kept his velocity right around 96-97 on his four-seamer and sinker and tried mixing a hard change up and slider in as well. The change was 87 mph and the slider came in at 82 with 8 inches of break. The first batter he faced was Marcus Semien, and he was able to get him to ground back to him for the first out. Alfaro grounded out to short afterward and then the Brett Nicholas Show came back from commercial. On a 1-0 count Familia hung the only change up he threw right down the middle and Nicholas dumped it into the bleachers in right again. Familia came back to retire Rosario on a ground out to first to end the inning. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Everything about Jeurys Familia to me says Armando Benitez.</p>— Jeff Moore (@MLBPW) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPW/statuses/396824312587767808">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rangers&src=hash">#Rangers</a> Brett Nicholas hits his second home run of the game to del RF. Familia dealing at 96-97</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396824589948317696">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Yimi Garcia came on to pitch the eighth inning, staring down the heart of the East line up. His fastball was the first to drop into the 80's, going between 89-92 mph. His best secondary was a slider around 79-81 with anywhere from 8-9 inches of break on it. Kris Bryant singled to lead off, followed by a flyout to center from Cron. With one out, the undersized second baseman Devon Travis bombed one to center for an RBI triple. A pop out to first off Kyle Parker's bat and fly out to right from Yorman Rodriguez stranded Travis at second to end the frame. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Tigers&src=hash">#Tigers</a> Devon Travis has some power in his bat-just smokes a triple to dead center. Offense first 2B. Important power.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396826263530119168">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Right hander Corey Knebel was given the ball for the bottom half and was the only pitcher drafted in 2013 to pitch in the game. He only threw one breaking ball and it was a hanger at 81 mph with 13 inches of break that ended up about 4,800 inches away in the right field bleachers. His fastball was 94-96 and he used it to induce a grounder to first from Naquin and struck out Buxton on a 3-2 fastball at the knees. That would be all for Knebel as Jake Barrett was brought in to face Cecchini. Three 95 mph fastballs later, Cecchini hit one out to right center. The next pitch, another 95 mph heater, was smoked to Bryant at third but a bad throw allowed Rodriguez to reach and get to second base. Barrett mixed an 87 mph cutter and 87 mph slider to strike out Semien to end the inning.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cubs&src=hash">#Cubs</a> Bryant's second error tonight is on a bad throw to 1B. Shows he still has work to do on his defense. Bat sure plays though.</p>— Bernie Pleskoff (@BerniePleskoff) <a href="https://twitter.com/BerniePleskoff/statuses/396829709054390272">November 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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The ninth inning brought David Goforth into the game, replacing Garcia on the mound. Six pitches later his night was done after getting Nieto to ground back to him and Hanson to ground out to second. His fastball was 93-96 and he threw two sliders, one at 79 with 10 inches of break and one at 86 with just 8 inches of break. Jonas Dufek came in for the last out but gave up a double to Mason Williams before he was able to get the out on a foul pop by Goodwin. Dufek's cheese was 89-91, hitting 93 mph with a 81 mph change up and 82 mph slider with 8 inches of break.
Probable Starters
Scottsdale @ "Peoria" - 3:35 PM EST
Scottsdale - LHP Adalberto Mejia (1-2, 10.1 IP, 11 H, 12 R/ER, 6 BB, 11 K, 2 HR, 0.58 GO/FO)
Peoria - RHP Matt Heidenriech (1-0, 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 5 BB, 8 K, 0 HR, 0.80 GO/FO)
Surprise @ Glendale - 3:35 PM EST
Surprise - RHP Will Roberts (0-1, 16 IP, 20 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 4 BB, 7 K, 4 HR, 0.72 GO/FO)
Glendale - LHP Andrew Heaney (1-0, 14.2 IP, 12 H, 3 R/ER, 6 BB, 16 K, 0 HR, 1.00 GO/FO)
Salt River @ Mesa - 9:35 PM EST
Salt River - LHP Grayson Garvin (2-2, 17 IP, 18 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 6 BB, 15 K, 0 HR, 1.06 GO/FO)
Mesa - LHP Matt Purke (2-1, 15 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 13 K, 0 HR, 3.14 GO/FO)
Links
****Baseball Prospectus kicked off List Season with their first top 10, the Houston Astros. Not hard to argue with their top three of Correa, Springer and Appel.
****Baseball America continued their top 10's with the Philadelphia Phillies. Scouting reports and a chat with Josh Norris are linked behind the paywall.
****Jeff Moore posted his Fall Stars recap behind the paywall at BP.
****Jeff Hoffman threw on Scout Day at ECU and Baseball America's Clint Longenecker was there to see it.
****For those of us still playing the game or have kids who do, SKLZ and BA teamed up for a weekly training video. Their first topic - pitching on flat ground.
****Chris St. John over at Beyond the Boxscore did some fine work correlating Single-A walk and strike out rates to the major leagues. This is bad news for Joey Gallo.
****The Fake Teams prospect staff looked at the Cleveland Indians Top 10 fantasy prospects.
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