2014 Minor League Ball AFL Gameday, October 9th

'Hello everyone and welcome back to the Gameday. There was a rare occurrence yesterday out in Mesa, AZ where there was actual precipitation falling from the skies. Unfortunately, there was enough rain to postpone the match up between the Glendale Desert Dogs and Mesa Solar Sox.

Surprise jumped out to an early lead over Peoria in the early game that didn't have any weather issues. The Saguaros scored five runs in the first two innings of Javelinas' starter RHP Jaime Schultz (TB) on the heels of six hits, two walks, a hit by pitch and a pair of wild pitches. They would score three more times of the Peoria bullpen for an 8-2 win. RHP Keith Couch (BOS) earned the win with four innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits allowed, one strike out, no walks, a wild pitch, balk, and surrendered a home run to RF Jordan Smith (CLE).

Surprise got three hits from 1B Kyle Waldrop (CIN), a double and home run off the bat of LF Jesse Winker (CIN), and two hits including a double from CF Rusney Castillo (BOS). Castillo's organization mate SS Deven Marrero (BOS) also stole a bag for the Saguaros. Peoria had the bomb from Smith, two hits including a double and stolen base from SS Raul Mondesi (KC), and a double from 1B Jacob Wilson (STL). The Javelinas also had a stolen base from 3B Breyvic Valera (STL).

Out in Scottsdale, a three run outburst in the 4th inning from the Scorpions was not enough to tame the Rafters as they went on to a 6-3 win. Salt River received three scoreless innings from their starter, RHP Mark Appel (HOU), who only allowed a hit and a walk with two strike outs, and a hit batter. Despite his excellent work he did not factor into the decision. That would go to RHP Jake Reed (MIN) who worked two perfect innings of relief, striking out four with 16 of 20 pitches finding the strike zone. RHP Enrique Burgos (AZ) garnered the save with two scoreless innings as well, striking out two with a walk and no hits allowed. Scottsdale starter LHP Joely Rodriguez (PIT) lasted 2.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two. RHP Alex Smith (NYY) was tagged with the loss though, allowing a run on two hits with a HBP, and a strike out in 0.2 innings.

A pair of Diamondbacks prospects in 3B Brandon Drury (AZ) and 1B Peter O'Brien (AZ) broke out the boomsticks with solo home runs each. Drury drove in two on the day with O'Brien also walking twice. CF Byron Buxton (MIN) singled twice, scored once, struck out twice, and committed his second error of the AFL in as many games. 2B Trevor Story (COL) reached base three times with a double, a single, and he also worked a walk, drove in one, struck out twice, and made a fielding error. SS Taylor Featherston (COL) also flubbed one in the field, stole third base, and reached base two times with a walk and a single. He also struck out twice and crossed the plate once.

The Scottsdale offense was flummoxed, garnering only seven base runners in the game. LF Brandon Nimmo (NYM) had the only extra base hit, doubling off Mark Appel while also going down swinging twice. 1B Greg Bird (NYY), DH Josh Bell (PIT), and RF Tyler Austin (NYY) each singled with Bell also wearing one, and 3B Kelby Tomlinson (SF) drove in one and stole a bag.

Surprise Stadium, where the Saguaros and Javelinas play their home games, is rigged for pitchf/x so we can get some velocity readings for each pitcher.

Saguaros starting pitcher Keith Couch sat in the 87-91 mph range with his fastball while also featuring a 73 mph curve, 79-83 mph slider, and an 80-85 mph change up. On the other side of the field, Jaime Schultz got the start for Peoria and the chance to show off his 91-96 mph fastball. He also threw an 85 mph hook, 83-85 mph slider, and an 86-87 mph change up. You can find the rest of the velocity readings below.

Surprise

Player	FB	CB	SL	CH
Keith Couch	87-91	73	79-83	80-85
Madison Younginer	89-93	-	79	78-85
Josh McElwee	90-91	82	81-83	-
Matt Anderson	93-94	79-81	-	85-86
Aaron Kurcz	94-96	81	-	88
Brandon Alger	88-91	-	78	81

Peoria

Player	FB	CB	SL	CH	CUT
Jaime Schultz	91-96	85	83-85	86-87	-
Sam Selman	89-91	74	80-82	-	-
Mitch Harris	87-93	-	-	84	88
Grant Sides	91-94	-	83-85	84-86	85
Ali Williams	92-94	-	83	-	-
Zach Cooper	91-95	-	84-86	82-84	-
Nate Hyatt	92-94	80-81	82	82-84	-

Check out the stats from yesterday's action in the link below along with the Probable Starters and Standings further down.

Minor League Ball AFL Gameday

Hitting Performance of the Day -

Jesse Winker (LF - Surprise) 2/3, HR (1), 2B (1), 2 BB, 2 RBI, 2 R

Photo credit  - Doug Gray

Pitching Performance of the Day -

Jake Reed (RHP - Salt River) 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 16 Strikes, 4 Balls

Photo credit - Bryan Green

*****

Probable Starters

Scottsdale Scorpions (1-1) @ Peoria Javelinas (1-1) - 2:35 PM EST

Ryan O'Sullivan (RHP - SCO) vs Aaron Northcraft (RHP - PEJ)

Salt River Rafters (1-1) @ Mesa Solar Sox (0-1) - 8:35 PM EST

Taylor Rogers (RHP - SRR) vs Sean Nolin (LHP - MSS)

Surprise Saguaros (1-1) @ Glendale Desert Dogs (1-0) - 8:35 PM EST

Justin Hancock (RHP - SUR) vs Francellis Montas (RHP - GDD)

*****

Standings

East Division
Team	W	L	T	GB
Salt River	1	1	0	-
Scottsdale	1	1	0	-
Mesa	0	1	0	0.5

West Division
Team	W	L	T	GB
Glendale	1	0	0	-
Peoria	1	1	0	0.5
Surprise	1	1	0	0.5