Tyson Brummett (Phillies) made the start for the Solar Sox, going 3 innings and allowing the Scorpions 2 runs in the 3rd on a double and two singles. Chris Kissock (Phillies) gave up a run in the 5th on a triple and a sacrifice fly. Steve Geltz (Angels) and Chris Carpenter (Cubs) each pitched a scoreless inning for Mesa. Jacob Diekman (Phillies) gave up a triple, a walk, and a pair of doubles in the 8th, for 3 more Scottsdale runs.
In their final game, the Solar Sox managed only 4 hits, as they lost to the Peoria Saguaros 3-1. Once again, LF Josh Harrison had one of the hits, then 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) also singled, and DH Kai Gronauer (Mets) singled and doubled. In order to limit pitches and innings, the Arizona Fall League ruled that Thursday’s games would all last just 7 innings.
Robert Carson (Mets) started for Mesa, and allowed two runs in the top of the 1st. A single and a walk put two runners on base, then a wild pitch moved both into scoring position. Another single drove in both runners. A double and a sacrifice fly added another run for Peoria in the 4th. Carson allowed only one more single in his 4 innings of work. Kyle Smit (Cubs), Ryan Brasier (Angels), and Aaron Pribanic each pitched a scoreless inning to finish it off for the Solar Sox. Pribanic gave up a 2-out single, but got a ground out to end the inning.
The Solar Sox put more runners on base with walks in this game– 7 walks total, with 2 by Harrison. Harrison walked and stole second base in the bottom of the 1st, and 1B Josh Vitters also walked, but both were left on base. Mesa had another 2 walks in the 2nd inning, but CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis was caught stealing. 2B Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) walked and reached third base on Gronauer’s double, but again they were left on base. Vitters singled and stole base in the 4th, and Harrison and Rizzotti both walked in the 5th, and they were all left stranded. Harrison led off the 7th with a single, but was out in a double play. Mesa’s only run came in the 6th. With one out, Nieuwenhuis reached second base on a fielding error, and C Tim Kennelly walked (Phillies). Flaherty grounded to second, and the flip to the shortstop covering second base got the force out on Kennelly, but the shortstop made a throwing error, which prevented the double play. That allowed Nieuwenhuis to come around and score from second base. Flaherty reached third on Gronauer’s single, but a grounder force out ended the inning.
STATS:
Brian Leach finished his AFL experience with the best stats: a 0.00 ERA in 10 innings pitched over 10 relief appearances. He did allow 5 unearned runs, and gave up 11 hits and 7 walks, with 7 strikeouts.
Aaron Pribanic was not far behind. He pitched 18 innings in 11 relief appearances and allowed only 4 earned runs (7 total runs) on 18 hits and 6 walks with 9 K’s, for a 2.00 ERA and a 0-1 record.
Justin Wilson made 6 starts for the Solar Sox and earned a 0-1 record also, with a 4.41 ERA. He pitched 16.1 innings and allowed 8 earned runs on 19 hits and 8 walks, while striking out 16 batters.
After a slow start to the AFL season, Josh Harrison roared through the rest of the season with a final batting average of .330. He hit 10 doubles, 2 triples, one home run, and 8 RBI. He also walked 10 times and stole 6 bases, and struck out 12 times. Harrison made 5 errors, playing both second base and outfield — a new position for him.
Andrew Lambo hit a solid .274, with 8 doubles and a team-leading 23 RBI. He tied Tony Sanchez for the team lead with 4 homers. Lambo also had 7 walks and 22 strikeouts.
Tony Sanchez had those 4 homers but only 9 RBI and one double. He hit .206, with 7 walks and 21 strikeouts, but was probably focusing his time more on his defensive work. And remember, Sanchez missed a lot of the regular season when he was out with a broken jaw.
Jordy Mercer hit .267 for the Solar Sox, with 4 doubles, one homer, and 13 RBI. He walked 6 times and had 14 strikeouts.
