Tag: Andrew Lambo

Mesa Solar Sox� 18,� Peoria Saguaros� 9

If you heard a lot of booming this afternoon, it might have come from the Solar Sox.� They posted a total of 22 hits on their way to 18 runs.� While the Saguaros recorded 15 hits, they managed only 9 runs.� Both teams also contributed to an error-fest:� 3 for the Solar Sox and 6 for the Saguaros.� 2B Josh Harrison and CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) led the way with 4 hits and 3 RBI each.� RF Andrew Lambo and SS Jordy Mercer each contributed 3 hits, and Lambo also had 4 RBI.

Harrison started the game off with a double into left field.� He advanced to third on a grounder, and scored on Lambo's single -- Lambo's first RBI.� Peoria responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st, with a two singles, a double, and two of Mesa's errors:� a throwing error by Harrison and a throwing error on starter Josh Zeid (Phillies) on a pick-off attempt.� The Saguaros added two more in the 2nd inning, on a single, a triple, and an RBI ground out.� Saguaros� 4,� Solar Sox� 1.

The Solar Sox came back to take the lead in the top of the 3rd.� Harrison led off with a walk, and made it to second base on a passed ball.� Moore blasted a 2-run homer, to bring Mesa closer:� 4-3.� 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) tripled, and scored on Mercer's single to tie the game.� LF/1B Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) also singled, then a double by 1B/3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) drove in Mercer with the go-ahead run.� Solar Sox 5,� Saguaros 4.

Then the Solar Sox went crazy.� They sent 13 batters to the plate in the top of the 4th, scoring 8 runs.� Moore singled, and moved to second base on a throwing error on a pick-off attempt.� Lambo singled, driving in Moore for his second RBI in the game (1 run).� Lambo advanced to second base on the throw to the plate, then on to third on Mercer's ground out for the second out of the inning.� Flahery walked.� A fielding error let Lambo score (2), and put Vitters on base.� C Kai Gronauer (Mets) doubled, driving in both Flaherty and Vitters (3, 4).� The Saguaros changed pitchers, but it didn't help.� Valdespin singled, plating Gronauer (5).� Harrison doubled, and Valdespin came in (6).� Moore walked, and Wood singled to load the bases.� Lambo grounded to short, where a fielding error let Harrison and Moore both score (7,8).� The inning ended when Mercer grounded into a force out.� Solar Sox 13,� Saguaros 4.

And they weren't done.� The 5th inning began with back-to-back fielding errors, putting Flaherty and Vitters on base.� Gronauer walked to load the bases with no outs.� Harrison's sacrifice fly brought in Flaherty, and Moore's single brought in Vitters.� Solar Sox 15,� Saguaros 4.

Back-to-back singles by Valdespin and Harrison opened the 7th, and a passed ball put both of them into scoring position.� After two strikeouts, Lambo and Mercer hit another pair of back-to-back singles, with both runners scoring on Lambo's hit -- his 3rd and 4th RBI of the game.� Harrison capped off the game with a solo home run to lead off the top of the 9th inning.

Zeid pitched 4 innings and gave up those early 4 runs to Peoria.� He was relieved by Tyson Brummett (Phillies), who gave up a 2-run homer in the 5th inning.� Nicholas Carr (Mets) pitched a perfect bottom of the 6th.� Eric Niesen began the 7th, and gave up three consecutive singles, driving in one run.� After a pop out, a fielding error by Mercer loaded the bases.� Two more singles drove in two more runs.� Eddie McKiernan (Angels) finished the 7th inning for Niesen, then went on to pitch a scoreless 8th.� Steven Geltz (Angels) gave up a single and a double in the bottom of the 9th, but he got out of the jam without a run scoring.

Everyone's batting average was boosted today.� Harrison, who needed a lift, now has a .293 average and 5 RBI.� Lambo is up to .319 with 13 RBI.� Mercer is hitting .286 with 7 RBI.

Mesa Solar Sox� 7,� Surprise Rafters� 2

Mesa batters piled up 5 runs over the first two innings, while their pitchers held the Rafters to just 3 hits in the Arizona Fall League this evening.� RF Andrew Lambo and LF Josh Harrison combined for 5 hits, 4 of which were for extra bases.

Harrison got the Solar Sox jump-started with a lead-off double in the bottom of the 1st.� CF Brett Jackson (Cubs) followed with a double, scoring Harrison.� Lambo blasted a 2-run homer over the right field wall, to give the Solar Sox a 3-0 lead.� The Sox kept right on going in the 2nd inning, with singles by 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and Harrison.� Both stole the next base, and both scored on 3B Brandon Wood's (Angels) double, and Mesa had a 5-0 lead.

Things were quiet over the middle innings, then Harrison tripled again in the 6th.� He was left on base, but the Solar Sox went on to score again in the 7th.� Wood singled and moved to second on a wild pitch.� Lambo doubled him in, then a wild pitch and an RBI single by 1B Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) plated Lambo.

Brad Holt (Mets) pitched 3 scoreless innings to start for the Solar Sox.� He gave up just one hit, and struck out 5 batters.� Six more pitchers took one inning each for the rest of the game.� Chris Carpenter (Cubs), Justin De Fratus (Phillies), and Steven Geltz (Angels) each pitched a perfect inning.� Kyle Smit (Cubs) and David Cales (also Cubs) each walked a batter but kept his inning scoreless.� Brian Leach pitched the 7th inning, the only inning in which the Rafters scored.� With one out, an error by Valdespin at second base put a runner on base.� After another out, a pair of doubles allowed 2 unearned runs to score.

Jordy Mercer also got into the game at shortstop, but was hitless in 4 at-bats.

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Peoria Saguaros� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 2

A tough first inning for starter Justin Wilson put the Solar Sox into an early hole in Arizona Fall League play this afternoon.� The Saguaros began the game with three straight hits.� The first batter of the game, 2B Eduardo Escobar (White Sox), took Wilson's first pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run.� The second batter, CF Dave Sappelt (Reds), doubled, and the third batter, LF Leslie Anderson (Rays), singled through the hole into right field moving Sappelt to third base.� Then Wilson caught a break, when C Devin Mesoraco (Reds) flied out to center field.� Mesa CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) made the unexpected catch, then quickly threw the ball back to the infield, relayed from 1B Josh Vitters (Cubs) to 3B Brandon Wood (Angels), who was able to double off Sappelt.� A strikeout ended the inning for Wilson.� Wilson had a better second inning, retiring the side in order, with another strikeout.

Tyson Brummett (Phillies) relieved Wilson to begin the 3rd inning.� He also gave up one run, on a pair of doubles.� SS Andrew Parrino glanced a grounder off the glove of 1B Vitters and into right field, then Anderson drove him in with another double.� Brummett also went on to retire the side in order in his second inning on the mound.

The Solar Sox threatened in both the 2nd and 3rd innings.� RF Andrew Lambo opened the 2nd inning with a double into left field, then advanced to third on a ground out.� C Tony Sanchez made it Pirates on the corners when he was hit by a pitch (not in the face), but both were left on base when 2B Josh Harrison popped out.� The Sox loaded the bases in the 3rd on walks to DH Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and Moore, then after a double steal, Wood walked.� But Lambo struck out and Vitters popped up to end the inning with all three runners stranded.

Finally, the Solar Sox got going in the 5th inning, taking advantage of two errors to tie the score. WIth two outs, Moore singled and stole second base.� A throwing error by C Mesoraco on the stolen base let Moore advance to third base.� Wood Doubled, driving in Moore easily.� A passed ball put Wood on third base.� When Lambo grounded to first and the Peoria 1B Chris Parmelee (Twins) made a throwing error, Wood also scored.

The tie did not last long.� Nicholas Carr (Mets) pitched a scoreless 5th, but gave up a 2-run homer to 3B Henry Wrigley (Rays) in the 6th.� Eric Niesen took over for the 7th, and he also surrendered 2 runs, on two singles and a 2-RBI double.� Eddie McKiernan (Angels) pitched his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the 8th -- a single, two strikeouts, two walks, and a fly out.

The Solar Sox had lone singles in three of their last four innings:� by Sanchez in the 6th, by LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) in the 8th, and by SS Andrew Romine (Angels) in the 9th.� All three were left on base.

Josh Harrison was hitless in 4 at-bats (.161 average).� Lambo went 1-for-4 with a double (.263) and Sanchez went 1-for-3 (.318).

Mesa Solar Sox� 4,� Scottsdale Scorpions� 2

Without hot prospect Bryce Harper on the field, the Scottsdale Scorpions could not stand up to the Solar Sox.� Despite out-hitting the Solar Sox 8-7, the Scorpions managed only 2 runs as the Solar Sox took the win this afternoon in the Arizona Fall League.

The Solar Sox went down in order int he first two innings, but C Tony Sanchez got things going in the bottom of the third.� SS Jordy Mercer led off the inning with a single lined into left field, and Sanchez followed by depositing a fly ball over the left center field wall for a 2-run homer.

They added another run in the 4th inning.� With one out, 1B Josh Vitters (Cubs) walked, and a wild pitch pushed him to second base.� LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) singled into right field, scoring Vitters.� Mercer walked, but was out when Sanchez bounced back to the mound to begin a double play.� A solo home run by 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) gave the Solar Sox another insurance run with a solo home run in the 5th.

Robert Carson earned the win for the Solar Sox, despite only going 3 innings in his start.� He gave up 3 hits, no walks, and struck out 2 batters.� One of the hits was a single in the 2nd inning, followed immediately by a ground out started by Mercer at shortstop.� In the 3rd, Carson gave up a single and a double to open the inning, then got out of the jam with a strikeout and a double play -- a fly out to right field, and a stellar throw in from RF Andrew Lambo to Sanchez, who tagged out the lead runner at the plate.

Ryan Brasier pitched the next two innings, and he gave up the first Scorpions' run in the 5th.� It was an unearned run, courtesy of two missed catch errors.� 2B Charlie Culberson singled with one out, then moved to third base when 1B Vitters missed the catch on a pickoff attempt.� The next batter grounded to first, but this time Brasier missed the catch on Vitters' toss to first -- the batter was safe at first and Culberson scored.

BJ Rosenberg and Chris Kissock (both of the Phillies) each pitched a scoreless inning with each gving up a single.� Aaron Pribanic took the top of the 8th, and he walked the first batter he faced, then struck out the next two.� He ended the inning with a grounder to third, forcing out the runner at second base.

Robert Fish gave up the Scorpions' second run in the top of the 9th.� A walk and a double put two runners into scoring position, then an RBI single brought in the runner from third base.

The Solar Sox put runners on base in each of their last three at-bats.� Twice (6th and 8th) it was due to errors, and the runners did not advance.� In the 7th, DH Andrew Romine (Angels) and CF Jeremy Moore (also Angels) both singled) but two fly outs ended the inning.

Andrew Lambo went 0-for-4 in the game; his average stands at .265.� Jordy Mercer was 1-for-3 with a walk, and his average is .292.� Tony Sanchez has a .316 average and went 1-for-3 with his 2-run homer.� Pribanic has pitched a total of 5.1 innings for Mesa in 3 games and has not allowed an earned run.� Opponents are hitting .111 against him.

Scottsdale Scorpions� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 3

Washington National's 18-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper made his pro debut in the Arizona Fall League, and the Mesa Solar Sox got the short end of the deal.� Harper's first at-bat, against Mesa's Josh Zeid (Phillies) resulted in a sky-high pop-out to short.� Harper lined out to center field in the 4th, and grounded to third in the 6th, but it was in the 7th inning that he really hurt the Solar Sox.

The Solar Sox began the game with a run in the top of the 1st.� CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) doubled, but was thrown out trying to steal third base.� 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) also doubled and RF Andrew Lambo brought him home with a single up the middle.� The Scorpions got the run back in the bottom of the inning, on a double, a fielding error by Lambo, and an RBI ground out.

Zeid kept the Scorpions scoreless for the next two innings, allowing only a double.� Kyle Smit (Cubs) got a timely double play, turned by SS Andrew Romine (Angels) and 2B Josh Harrison, to get out of a jam in the 4th.� In the 5th, Smit loaded the bases on two walks and a single, then walked in a run� He was relieved by Chris Carpenter (Cubs), who gave up an RBI single before getting the last two outs of the inning.� Scorpions 3, Solar Sox 1.

The Mesa bats were quiet over those innings too.� Josh Satin (Mets) singled in the 3rd and Vitters singled in the 4th, but neither could come around to score.� Satin walked to open the 6th, but was forced out when Romine grounded to short (though Romine might have avoided a double play.� Moore doubled, and Romine scrambled around from first base to score.� Scorpions 3, Solar Sox 2.� The Sox threatened in the 7th, when Harrison and C Tim Kennelly (Phillies) hit back-to-back two-out singles, but a ground out ended the inning with both still on base.

Brian Leach took the mound to begin the bottom of the 7th, with the Solar Sox just one run down.� But the trouble started right away, when 2B Steve Lombardozzi ((Nationals) reached base on a throwing error by Satin.� AJ Pollock (Diamondbacks) doubled, moving Lombardozzi to third base.� After a fly out, 1B Jordan Pacheco (Team USA and Rockies) grounded to third, where Josh Vitters quickly fired to the plate so that Kennelly could tag out Lombardozzi.� That left runners on the corners and two outs.� Then Leach gave up a single to LF Marc Krauss (D'backs), driving in Pollock.� A wild pitch put runners on second and third, and a walk loaded the bases.� That brought up Harper.� He smacked a ground-rule double off the left field wall, missing a grand slam by inches, bringing in two more runs.� Leach was not charged with the loss (Smit was), and the 3 runs he gave up were unearned because of the error that opened the inning.

The Solar Sox scored one more run in the top of the 8th.� They loaded the bases on a single by Moore, and walks to Vitters and Lambo.� DH Jordy Mercer brought in the run with a sacrifice fly.� Justin De Fratus (Team USA and Phillies) pitched a scoreless bottom of the 8th, working around a throwing error by Romine at shortstop.

Mercer was 0-for-3 with the sacrifice fly.� Lambo went 1-for-3 with the RBI and a walk, and Harrison was 1-for-4.

Mesa Solar Sox� 6,� Peoria Javelinas� 5

The Solar Sox and the Javelinas passed the lead back and forth this afternoon in Arizona Fall League play, but the Solar Sox were able to hold on in the bottom of the 9th to secure the win.

After both teams stranded two baserunners in the 1st inning, the Solar Sox were the first to dent the scoreboard in the 2nd.� 1B Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) led off with a walk, and LF Josh Harrison singled, moving Flaherty to third base.� A grounder to short by C Kai Gronauer let Flaherty score easily from third base.� The Javelinas responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, tying the score on back-to-back doubles by 1B Koby Clemens (Astros, of course) and 2B Jason Kipnis (Cleveland Indians).

The 1-1 tie lasted until the bottom of the 5th.� Jake Muyco (Cubs) pitched 3 innings in his start for Mesa.� He had to work around baserunners again in the 3rd inning, finishing with one run on 4 hits and 2 walks, and escaped the 3rd with the help of his teammates.� RF Andrew Lambo's excellent throw in from the outfield cut down 3B Cord Phelps (Team USA and Cleveland) when he tried to stretch a single into a double, and Gronauer threw out another runner trying to steal third base.� Tyson Brummett retired the side in order in the 4th, but gave up a run in the 5th on a double, a ground out, and a fielding error by 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets).

The Solar Sox answered that with 3 runs in the top of the 6th, as they batted around.� Lambo led off with a single through the hole into left field, then 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) lined a single into left and Flaherty worked a walk to load the bases.� Harrison and Gronauer both struck out, but Valdespin brought in both Lambo and Vitters with a line drive into right field for a single.� DH Andrew Romine (Angels) also singled, plating Flaherty.� Romine stole second base and CF Jeremy Moore walked, but a new Javelina pitcher got SS Brandon Wood (Angels) to pop out to end the inning.� The Solar Sox had a 4-2 lead.

Which didn't last long.� Nicholas Carr (Mets) relieved Brummett to begin the bottom of the 6th, and he gave up a walk, a single, a walk, an RBI single, and a bases-loaded walk, bringing in two runs for the Javelinas, to tie the score at 4-4.

The 7th was quiet, as the Solar Sox went down in order, and David Cales (Cubs) relieved Carr and worked around a lead-off single to maintain the tie.� The Solar Sox broke the tie in the top of the 8th, when Harrison led off with a double lined into right field, and Gronauer followed with a triple also into right field, scoring Harrison.� They added an insurance run in the top of the 9th.� Wood reached base on missed-catch error by Clemens at first (of a grounder to third).� Lambo worked another walk.� Vitters blooped a single into right field, and Wood raced around from second to score.� Solar Sox leading, 6-4.

They needed the insurance in the bottom of the inning.� Cales had pitched another scoreless inning in the 8th.� 1B Flaherty made an error at first, but a double play got Cales out of that, then Cales worked around another single.� Eddie McKiernan (Angels) came on to pitch the bottom of the 9th for the Solar Sox.� Phelps greeted McKiernan with a triple into right field.� McKiernan struck out the next two batters, then ran the count full on LF Eric Thames.� Then McKiernan threw back-to-back wild pitches.� The first scored Phelps from third and was ball four for Thames.� The second wild pitch put Thames on second base.� Finally, McKiernan settled down and got Clemens to ground to third for the final out of the game.

Cales earned the win, and McKiernan was credited with the save.� Lambo went 1-for-3 with 2 walks.� Harrison boosted his batting average with two much-needed hits (single and double) in 5 at-bats (now hitting .174).� Lambo's average is .296.

Mesa Solar Sox� 10,� Peoria Saguaros 1

RF Andrew Lambo singled and doubled for the Solar Sox, who used a 6-run 4th inning to overwhelm the Saguaros in Arizona Fall League play this evening.

After 3.5 scoreless innings, the Solar Sox opened the bottom of the 4th with a single by DH Brandon Wood (Angels), a walk to 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies), and a 3-run homer by 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs).� Andrew Lambo followed the homer with a double, and C Tony Sanchez walked.� A grounder to first forced Sanchez out at second base, but left Lambo on third and LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) on first base.� 2B Jordany Valdespin's (Mets) single drove in Lambo, and a wild pitch put the runners on second and third.� SS Andrew Romine (Angels) walked to load the bases, and Peoria changed pitchers.� CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) greeted the new pitcher with an RBI single, and a walk to Wood forced in the 6th run of the inning.� A double play ended the inning, with Mesa on top 6-0.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Solar Sox.� He pitched 2 scoreless inning, working around a single in each inning and a walk in the 1st.� Kyle Smit (Cubs) added two more scoreless innings.� Chris Carpenter (Cubs) gave up Peoria's only run in the 5th, on a single, a walk, a passed ball by Sanchez, and an RBI ground out.� Carpenter gave up a lone single in the 6th inning, but kept the Saguaros from scoring again.� Brian Leach pitched the 7th, working around a double.� Chris Kissock (Phillies) and Eddie McKiernan (Angels) each threw a scoreless inning to finish up for the Solar Sox.

The Solar Sox just kept going.� In the 5th, Lambo singled, then moved to third base on a fielding error, and scored on Valdespin's RBI single through the hole into right field.� Singles by Romine and Moore, combined with another fielding error added another run in the 6th.� Valdespin walked to open the 8th inning.� Romine reached on a fielder's choice, with Valedspin safely at second base. Moore singled again, driving in Valdespin.� Pinch hitter Tim Kennelly (Phillies) singled to give the Sox bases loaded.� Rizzotti flied out to center field, but too short for Romine to tag up.� Vitters came through, though, with a fly ball long enough for Romine to score.

Wilson did not pitch long enough to qualify for the win -- that went to Smit.� Lambo was 2-for-5, and Sanchez was 0-for-3 with a walk.

The Arizona Fall League takes Sundays off.� The Solar Sox will be back at it again on Monday.

Mesa Solar Sox� 8,� Surprise Rafters� 7

It was a wild finish in Mesa this afternoon as the Solar Sox scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to defeat the Surprise Rafters in Arizona Fall League play.� DH Jordy Mercer and RF Andrew Lambo each had� hits in the game, and they combined for 3 RBI.

Lambo got the Solar Sox going with a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning, bringing in 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) who had walked.� The Rafters responded with 5 runs in the top of the 3rd.� With Ryan Brasier (Angels) on the mound for the Solar Sox, the first four Rafters reached base on four straight hits -- a single, an RBI triple, and a pair of RBI doubles.� Brasier got a ground out, then was relieved by David Cales (Cubs).� Cales gave up a triple to the first batter he faced, driving in the fourth run of the inning.� A fielder's choice to third base was not fielded fast enough to catch the runner from third before he crossed the plate, and Surprise had taken a 5-2 lead.� Cales finally ended the inning with a double play.

Mesa tried to get caught up in the 4th.� With one out, Rizzotti grounded a single up the middle, and Mercer followed with a double lined into center field.� That moved Rizzotti to third base.� Lambo bounced to third and this time the fielder's choice play worked -- Rizzotti was out at the plate.� Both te Rafters and the Solar Sox put two runners on base in the 5th, with a double and a walk for the Rafters and 2B Ryan Flaherty's (Cubs) single and SS Andrew Romine's (Angels) walk for the Sox.� CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) walked in the 7th, but was erased in a double play.

LF Josh Harrison, in the outfield today, started the rally that tied the game in the 8th inning.� He led off with a double into left field, then went to third base when Romine reached on fielding error at shortstop.� Brandon Wood (Angels) and Rizzotti both singled, driving in Harrison and Romine.� Mercer grounded to second base for a force out, and it might have been a double play, but Mercer was safe at first and the tying run, Wood, scored.� Lambo also singled, moving Mercer up to second base, but the inning ended with the score still tied.

The Solar Sox pitchers were also holding the Rafters scoreless.� Nicholas Carr (Mets) took over for Cales and threw 2 scoreless innings, with one hit and one walk.� Tyson Brummett (Phillies) added two more scoreless frames with one hit.� Robert Fish (Angels) pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the 8th, with three ground outs to the shortstop Romine.� Steven Geltz (Angels) allowed only a single in two innings (the 9th and the 10th), and C Kai Gronauer (Mets) obligingly threw that base runner out trying to steal second base.

With the score still tied, the Solar Sox went down in order in the bottom of the 9th.� Mercer singled in the bottom of the 10th, but did not score.� Eric Niesen (Mets) took over for Geltz to begin the top of the 11th, and he got into trouble, aided by two errors.� With one out, Niesen hit RF Joey Butler (Rangers) with a pitch.� The next batter, SS Pete Kozma (Cardinals) grounded to second base, where Ryan Flaherty first made a fielding error then a throwing error, leaving runners on second and third.� A singled drove in Butler, and another unsuccessful fielder's choice play let Kozma score.� A double play got Niesen out of the inning, but the Rafters led 7-5.

The Solar Sox were not done, though.� Nieuwenhuis tried to bunt for a hit, but his first attempt went foul, and he was hit with the second pitch.� Gronauer walked, then Flaherty was able to drop down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third.� Grounauer was replaced by pinch-runner Jordany Valdespin (Mets).� Harrison popped out for the second out of the inning. Romine walked to load the bases.� Then Brandon Wood was the hero of the game with a bases-clearing double lined into center field.� Romine raced around from first base to score the winning run on the walk-off double.

None of the Pirates' pitching prospects got into this game.

Mesa Solar Sox� 11,� Surprise Rafters� 6

The Mesa Solar Sox busted out with 9 runs in the 4th inning and posted a total of 19 hits in their Arizona Fall League win this afternoon.� SS Jordy Mercer, C Tony Sanchez, and 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) had 3 hits each, and 2B Josh Harrison and RF Andrew Lambo contributed a hit apiece.

Each team scored one run in the 1st inning.� Mesa's LF/CF Jeremy Moore (Angels) singled and stole second base, then scored on 1B Matt Rizzotti's (Phillies) RBI single.� Tony Sanchez also singled in the inning, but was left on base.� The Rafters scored on a single, a wild pitch by starter Josh Zeid (Phillies) and an RBI single.

Things were quiet for the next two innings, other than a single by Vitters in the top of the 3rd.� The quiet ended in the top of the 4th, when 14 Solar Sox came to the plate.� Tony Sanchez started the fun with a single to second.� A fielding error by the Surprise first baseman allowed Andrew Lambo to reach first base.� CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis doubled, scoring both Sanchez and Lambo with the first two runs of the inning (1,2).� Jordy Mercer's double plated Nieuwenhuis (3), and Mercer advanced to third on a ground out.� After a line out and a change in pitchers, Moore and Vitters both doubled, driving in Mercer and Moore (4, 5).� Rizzotti walked, then Sanchez singled for the second time in the inning, to score Vitters (6).� A throwing error by the left fielder let Sanchez advance to second base and Rizzotti to third base.� Three more singles followed -- Lambo's brought in both Rizzotti and Sanchez (7, 8), Nieuwenhuis' moved Lambo to second base, and Mercer's scored Lambo (9).� A ground out finally ended the inning.

Zeid pitched 3 innings and allowed the one run in the 1st inning on two hits, and he struck out 3 batters.� BJ Rosenberg (Phillies) took over for Zied to begin the 4th.� He gave up a run on two doubles.� He also gave up three singles in the bottom of the 5th, bringing in one run.� A wild pitch and two walks loaded the bases.� Rosenberg was relieved by Aaron Pribanic, who threw a wild pitch to the first batter he faced, allowing another run to score.� Pribanic finished the inning with a strikeout, and the Solar Sox still led 10-4.� Pribanic came back out for the 6th inning, and another run scored on a single and a throwing error.

The Solar Sox continued to put runners on base.� Harrison and Vitters both singled in the 5th, but did not come around to score.� LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs), who had entered the game as a defensive replacement, and Harrison both walked and Valdespin singled to load the bases in the 6th, but all three were left on base when Moore struck out.� Rizzotti also walked in the 7th, but was left on base.� He also singled in the 9th, but was eliminated in a double play.� The Solar Sox added one last run when Flaherty doubled to open the 8th inning.� He moved up to third base on a wild pitch.� Jordy Mercer drove him in with an RBI single, to increase the lead to 11 - 5.

Aaron Pribanic worked around a single in the 7th inning, but kept him from scoring.� Brian Leach came on to pitch the 8th, and he also worked around a single for a scoreless inning.� Surprise managed one last run in the bottom of the 9th.� With Eddie McKiernan (Angels) on the mound, a walk, a double, and a sacrifice fly drove in the run.� It was not nearly enough, though, and Mesa and Josh Zeid had the win.

Phoenix Desert Dogs� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 3

The Solar Sox could not keep their bats going in the later innings, losing to Phoenix late Wednesday evening.� Phoenix got onto the scoreboard first in the top of the 2nd inning.� A double by RF Michael Taylor (A's) and a single by LF Jerry Sands (Dodgers) put runners on the corners with no outs.� A double play eliminated Sands but let Taylor score with the first run of the game.� Three consecutive singles brought in a second run.� The fourth straight single would have plated another run, but Mesa's CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) made an excellent throw from center field to C Tim Kennelly (Phillies) to nail the lead runner at the plate.

The Solar Sox threatened in the 1st inning, when 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) led off with a single, then stole second base.� A fielding error at short put 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) an base, and RF Andrew Lambo moved both runners up a base with a fly out to center field.� Both were left in scoring position, though, when a line out ended the inning.� The Sox came right back in the bottom of the second with three consecutive singles to lead off.� LF Jeremy Moore (Angels) singled up the middle, then stole second base.� Kennelly's grounder up the middle let Moore race around from second to score.� Kennelly moved to second base on DH Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) line drive single, then advanced to third on a grounder force out by SS Andrew Romine (Angels).� Valdespin brought Kennelly in with an RBI grounder, tying the game at 2-2.

Jake Muyco (Cubs) made the start for Mesa.� He retired the side in order in the 1st, gave up the two runs in the 2nd, then gave up a walk and hit a batter in the 3rd, but got out of that jam with a double play.� Chris Carpenter (Cubs) replaced Muyco to begin the 4th.� Carpenter began the inning with a walk, then two ground outs moved the runner to third.� An RBI single brought the run home, to give Phoenix a 3-2 lead.� Carpenter gave up a single in the 5th, but Kennally threw the runner out as he tried to steal second base.� Kyle Smith (Cubs) pitched the next two innings for the Solar Sox, allowing just one walk and striking out 3 batters.

But the Solar Sox were not able to catch up.� They put a runner on base in each of the 4th and 5th innings, on singles by Romine and Wood, then went down in order in the 6th and 7th innings.

Eric Niesen (Mets) took the mound for Mesa to begin the 8th inning, and gave up a lead-off home run to Taylor.� Wood responded with his own solo home run in the bottom of the inning, and the score was 4-3 with Phoenix still ahead.

The top of the 9th saw David Cales (Cubs) take the mound for the Solar Sox.� The first two batters of the inning singled, and the next reached base on a throwing error by Cales, when he tried to field a bunt and throw to third for the force out.� Instead of being out, the lead runner scored on the play.� A double play gave Cales two outs, but left a runner on third, and Taylor's RBI single (his third hit of the day) plated that runner to give Phoenix a 6-3 lead.� Flaherty walked in the bottom of the 9th, but the Solar Sox could not bring him around to score.

Andrew Lambo, the only one of the Pirates' farmhands to get into this game, went 0-for-4 at the plate, though his out in the 1st inning did advance the baserunners.� He grounded out twice and flied out one more time in his remaining at-bats.

Tony Sanchez's AFL blog is up and running -- he says that the pitcher who threw the pitch that broke his jaw is now his teammate on the Solar Sox.

Mesa Solar Sox� 8,� Phoenix Desert Dogs� 3

The Arizona Fall League kicked off today with a win for the Solar Sox.� The Pirates' farmhands hit well, but had a few problems on defense.

LF Andrew Lambo got the Solar Sox going in the 2nd inning when he lined a 2-out single into center field.� CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) drove in Lambo with a double into center field, to give Mesa a 1-0 lead.� Then the Solar Sox busted out with 5 runs in the 4th inning, as they sent 11 batters to the plate.� 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) greeted a new Phoenix pitcher with a single into left field.� Both C Tony Sanchez and Andrew Lambo added their own singles, and Lambo's scored Rizzotti.� Sanchez went to third and Lambo to second on the throw in to the plate.� A wild pitch let Sanchez score from third base and put Lambo on third.� Nieuwenhuis drove in Lambo with a single, and SS Jordy Mercer also singled, putting runners on the corners.� 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) grounded to short, but the only play was at first, so Nieuwenhuis scored and Mercer was safe at second.� DH Josh Harrison struck out -- only the second out of the inning.� 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) singled, plating Mercer.� Two more walks, to RF Jeremy Moore (Angels) and Rizzotti, loaded the bases, but Sanchez struck out to end the inning.

Bradley Holt (Mets) made the start for the Solar Sox.� He pitched 3 scoreless innings, allowing only one walk in the 1st inning and one single in the 3rd.� Solar Sox' RF John Mayberry (Phillies) injured his leg on that play -- possibly making a dive for the soft liner?� He had to leave the game, and was replaced by Jeremy Moore.

Tyson Brummett (Phillies) relieved Holt to begin the 4th inning, and he got two strikeouts, then gave up a single and a 2-run homer to RF Michael Taylor (A's).� Brummett gave up another run in the 5th, on a single, a stolen base, a passed ball by Tony Sanchez, and another single.� A fielding error by 3B Brandon Wood put a second runner on base, but Brummett was able to get out of the jam with a grounder to short, fielded by Mercer.� The Solar Sox still held the lead, 6-3.

Nick Carr (Mets) pitched two scoreless innings for the Sox.� He gave up only one hit, a single to Taylor in the 6th.� After a grounder force out at second, a throwing error by Mercer put a runner on second, but the runner was left on base.� Robert Fish (Angels) and Steven Geltz (Angels) each pitched a scoreless inning to wrap up the game for the Solar Sox, but the Sox bats were not done yet.

In the top of the 8th, Nieuwenhuis led off with a walk, and a single by Valdespin put runners on the corners.� Harrison lifted a sacrifice fly to bring in Nieuwenhuis for a 7-3 lead.� Jeremy Moore added the Solar Sox' final run in the top of the 9th with a solo home run.

Holt earned the win for Mesa.� Harrison went 0-for-4 with one RBI.� Sanchez was 1-for-5, and Mercer went 1-for-4.� Lambo led the Pirates' farmhands with a 2-for-5 afternoon and one RBI.� Brandon Wood had 3 hits for Mesa in the game.� Mercer had two throwing errors, and Sanchez had the passed ball.

The remainder of the Pirates' contingent for the Arizona Fall League was announced today.� Pitching for the Mesa Solar Sox this fall will be Justin Wilson, Aaron Pribanic, and Brian Leach. While all three have been starters during the regular season, it appears that Wilson will have a starting role, and Pribanic and Leach will be mostly used in relief.

The pitchers will join catcher Tony Sanchez, infielders Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer, and outfielder Andrew Lambo on the Solar Sox.

The AFL season begins in three weeks, on Tuesday October 12th, and runs through Thursday November 18th.� We'll be following our Pirates' farmhands in their Arizona adventures.

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The Carribbean winter leagues will also be starting up in October:� Mexican Pacific League on Oct 12th, Dominican League on Oct. 22nd, Venezuelan League on Oct 12th, and Puerto Rican League on Oct 22nd.� We'll also watch the Pirates' players, farmhands, and friends in those leagues.

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Pirates' John Bowker made another start for the Pirates tonight (Tuesday), this time in right field.� He went 0-for-4 with an RBI, driving in a run in the 1st inning with a grounder to short, which was misplayed for an error.� Bowker has gone 4-for-10 in his last three games, with a homer, and 3 RBI.

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