On Tuesday night in the Arizona Fall League, the Surprise Saguaros lost 4-1 to Salt River, as one Pirate had a nice night on the mound, while another had a big hand in the loss.
Connor Joe was the only Pirate in the starting lineup. He batted seventh and played left field for the second time. Joe flew out to center field in his first at-bat. In the fourth inning, he drew a walk off of former Pirate Shane Carle. Joe struck out in the sixth inning, then drew another walk in the ninth inning and stole a base. He finished 0-for-2 with two walks. Joe is 2-for-11 in three games. He handled two plays in the field cleanly.
Tanner Anderson made his second start of the fall. In his first game last week, he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks in 2.1 innings. Anderson retired the side in order in the first inning on two ground outs and a strikeout. He threw almost all fastballs, topping out at 93.7 MPH.
In the second inning, Anderson allowed a lead-off single to former Pirate JaCoby Jones. He would be erased one pitch later on a double play. The next batter grounded out to first base, ending the inning on eight pitches. The third inning was almost the replay of the second. Anderson allowed a single, then got a ground out and a double play to end the inning, this time throwing just five pitches.
Anderson had to work hard in the fourth inning due to some fielding issues by top prospect Yoan Moncada at third base. Moncada committed two errors and that led to a run when Salt River did a double steal with runners on first and third. Surprise got the third out of the inning at second base, but not before the run scored. Anderson finished with one unearned run on two hits over four innings. He had two strikeouts, an 8:1 GO/AO ratio, and 27 of his 36 pitches went for strikes. He topped out at 94.4 MPH.
Alex McRae made his second appearance, trying to follow up three no-hit innings in his debut. Things quickly fell apart for him after retiring the first batter. McRae came into a 1-1 tie and gave up a single, double and two-run triple. A sacrifice fly scored the third run. He retired the next batter to end the inning and his night. McRae threw 26 pitches, with 18 going for strikes. He threw all four of his pitches and topped out at 94.3 MPH with his four-seam fastball.
Surprise goes on the road tomorrow night to play Scottsdale.
