Peoria went 0-4 last week, in a tough way to start the 30-game Arizona Fall League schedule. They opened up week two on Monday afternoon at home against Surprise. Three Pittsburgh Pirates were in the lineup for the Javelinas, with Ji-hwan Bae playing his second game in center field and batting lead-off, followed by Nick Gonzales at second base, batting second. Canaan Smith-Njigba batted seventh and played left field. Here’s a recap of their day:
Bae reached on an infield single in the first inning. He stole third base and scored the first run of the game. In the second inning, he grounded out to shortstop to end the inning. Bae struck out to end the fourth inning. He had another infield single in the sixth inning, then grounded out to first base in the eighth. He went 2-for-5 with a steal and a run scored. He’s hitting .333 with a 1.021 OPS.
Gonzales lined out to center field in the first, then started the third inning with his third double of the fall. He reached on an error to start the fifth inning, then stole second and scored on a hit. Gonzales flew out to center field in the sixth inning, then grounded out to shortstop in the eighth. He went 1-for-5 with a steal and a run scored. He’s batting .278 with a .760 OPS.
Smith-Njigba grounded out to end the first inning, then struck out to start the fourth. He walked in the fifth, then singled and stole a base in the seventh. Smith-Njigba struck out again in the ninth, leaving his 1-for-4 with a walk and a steal. He’s batting .273 with an .830 OPS.
Peoria dropped to 0-5 with the 5-3 loss.
Peoria will be at home to play the Salt River Rafters tomorrow at 3:35 PM EDT with Pirates starting Michael Burrows on the mound. He will be the first starter for the Pirates to get a start this fall. Roansy Contreras and Carmen Mlodzinski have both yet to appear, so don’t be surprised if Burrows isn’t the only Pirates pitcher to throw tomorrow.
