Tag: Jordy Mercer

Peoria Javelinas 8, Mesa Solar Sox 7

With four more games to play, the Solar Sox are teetering on the edge of being eliminated from the Arizona Fall League playoffs. If they lose any one of their remaining games, they will not be able to catch up to the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Tonight, a 5-run 7th inning gave the Javelinas the win, and it happened with Aaron Pribanic on the mound. Pribanic relieved Jacob Diekman (Phillies) to begin the bottom of the 7th. The inning began with a single, then a pop out. A double scored one run, then a single and a fielding error by 2B Josh Harrison added a second run. The next three batters each brought in a run: an RBI double, a fielder's choice, and a throwing error by SS Andrew Romine (Angels). Pribanic walked another batter, and then was relieved by Steven Geltz (Angels), who ended the inning with a strikeout. The 5 runs gave the Javelinas an 8-6 lead, and the Solar Sox could not catch up.

Peoria was the first onto the scoreboard, with a run on a double and a single in the bottom of the 2nd, charged to Mesa starter Robert Carson (Mets). Chris Carpenter (Cubs) pitched the 4th inning, and he also allowed a run on a double and a single. Kyle Smit (Cubs) pitched a scoreless 5th, then Diekman gave up a run in the 6th on a triple and an RBI ground out.

The Solar Sox took the lead in the 3rd inning, when they scored 2 runs. Josh Harrison led off the frame with a walk, then stole second base. He moved to third on a ground out, and scored on a wild pitch. 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) also walked and stole second base, and he scored on LF John Tolisano's (Blue Jays) single. Doubles were the hit of choice in the 4th inning. RF Andrew Lambo led off with a single, then doubles by C Kai Gronauer (Mets), Harrison, and Romine accounted for 3 runs. A walk and another RBI single by Tolisano gave the Solar Sox a 6-2 lead. Tolisano collected his third RBI single in the 8th inning, driving in Romine, who had doubled. Lambo, Gonauer, and Harrison all singled to load the bases in the 9th, but the threat ended with a grounder force out.  DH Jordy Mercer had one hit in his 5 plate appearances, a single in the 7th inning.  

The Solar Sox and the Arizona Fall League have Sunday off, as usual.  

Mesa Solar Sox  2,  Phoenix Desert Dogs  2  (TIE)

Runners left in scoring position was the name of today's game, which ended in a tie after 9 innings.  The Solar Sox did a little better than the Desert Dogs in leaving runners on base -- they collected 6 hits and 3 walks, and left 6 men on base.  Phoenix posted 9 hits and 2 walks, and they left 8 runners on. 

All the scoring happened in the 2nd inning.  The Solar Sox began the fun with a walk by SS Jordy Mercer.  1B Josh Satin (Mets) singled, putting runners on the corners.  C Tim Kennelly (Phillies) brought in Mercer with a sacrifice fly.  After 2B Josh Harrison was hit by a pitch, LF Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) slipped a grounder through the left side for an RBI single, scoring Satin.  Harrison tried to reach third base on the throw, but was tagged out. 

The Desert Dogs tied it up in the bottom of the inning.  Chris Kissock (Phillies) started for the Solar Sox.  He began the bottom of the 2nd by giving up three consecutive hits -- a pair of singles and a ground rule double, which plated one run.  A sacrifice fly brought in the second run to tie the score. 

And then... no more scoring.  The Solar Sox had only one batter reach base over the next six innings.  RF John Tolisano (Blue Jays) lined a single into right field in the 4th inning, then stole second base, but was out trying to steal third.  3B Brandon Wood (Angels) led off the top of the 9th with a single, then DH Tony Sanchez also singled and Tolisano reached with a walk, between a pair of strikeouts (Mercer and CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis).  But a grounder force out ended the inning, leaving 3 runners on base and 2 in scoring position.  Add to that one left on base in the 2nd, and 2 left on (one in scoring position) in the top of the 1st, and that's the Solar Sox' 6 left on.  The Sox were 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Phoenix was more effective in putting runners on base, but not any better at getting them across the plate.  BJ Rosenberg (Phillies) worked around a single and a throwing error in the 3rd, and retired the side in order in the 4th.  Brian Leach pitched a scoreless 5th inning.  He gave up a single and walked a batter, but got out of the inning on a double play started by his Altoona teammates:  2B Harrison to SS Mercer to 1B Satin. 

Three more Solar Sox pitchers kept the Desert Dogs from scoring despite runners on base.  Ryan Brasier (Angels) gave up 2 singles in the 6th, and David Cales (Cubs) gave up a single and a walk in the 8th.  Justin De Fratus only had to work around one runner on base, when he gave up a double in the 9th.  That added up to 8 runners left on for Phoenix, and hitting 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position. 

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Next week will be the final week of Arizona Fall League play.  The last scheduled game will be on Thursday Nov 18th, and the championship game will be played on Saturday Nov 20th.  The Solar Sox have a 13-13 record and are 4 games behind the first place Scottsdale Scorpion in the Eastern division of the AFL.  With 5 games left to play, and assuming no more games ending in a tie, the Solar Sox are not out of it yet, but they'd better get going if they are to make the playoffs. 

Phoenix Desert Dogs  9,  Mesa Solar Sox  6

The Mesa Solar Sox caught up to the Desert Dogs two times in Wednesday night's Arizona Fall League game, but they couldn't do it a third time.    

The Desert Dogs took the early lead, scoring a total of 4 runs (3 earned) off Solar Sox starter Jake Muyco (Cubs) in the first 4 innings.  Reliever Eddie McKiernan (Angels) finished off the 4th for Muyco, then pitched a scoreless top of the 5th.

The Solar Sox tied the game in the bottom of the 6th with a 4-run inning.  2B Josh Harrison walked and scored, as both C Tony Sanchez and SS Jordy Mercer each drove in a run.  3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) drove in one run in the 5th, and another in the 7th.  RF Andrew Lambo was hit by a pitch in the 5th, and was later removed from the game, though it's not clear whether or not it was due to being hit. In the shuffling of players that occurred when Lambo came out, Harrison was moved to left field.

With Chris Carpenter on the mound for Mesa in the top of the 7th, the Desert Dogs broke the tie.  Two runs scored on a double, two singles, and a walk.  The Solar Sox answered right back with 2 more runs in the bottom of the 7th, to tie the score at 6-6.  They took advantage of 3 walks, including one to Sanchez, and Vitter's RBI.

Kyle Smit (Cubs) relieved Carpenter to finish the 7th inning, but he suffered the loss when he gave up a solo home run to Phoenix's DH Matt Wallach (Dodgers) in the top of the 8th.  Four more hits, including a 2-RBI double gave Phoenix 3 runs in the 8th, and the Solar Sox could not answer.  Steven Geltz (Angels) finished the game for Mesa with a scoreless 9th, though he made it a little interesting by giving up a hit and two walks, then striking out two batters.

Mesa Solar Sox� 7,� Surprise Rafters� 5

Isn't this what every hitter dreams about?� A grand slam in the bottom of the 9th, to win the game for your team!� The Solar Sox went into the bottom of the 9th behind by a score of 5-1.� 2B Josh Harrison led off the inning with a walk, and another walk to 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) and a single by 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) brought in one run.� CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis grounded to third, and was safe on the fielder's choice as Wood scored.� Rizzotti was replaced by pinch-runner Ryan Flaherty (Cubs), and a single by SS Jordy Mercer loaded the bases for RF Andrew Lambo. Lambo made the dream come true with a walk-off grand slam and the win for the Solar Sox.

Nieuwenhuis gave Mesa their first run on a solo homer in the 7th.� Mercer had also singled in the 2nd inning, but was erased when Lambo bounced into a double play.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Solar Sox and pitched 3 innings, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks with 3 strikeouts.� Three of the walks plus a single gave Surprise one run in the 1st inning.� Another walk, a ground out, and an RBI single brought in a run in the 3rd inning.� Aaron Pribanic relieved Wilson, pitching the next 3 innings.� He worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the 4th, ending the inning with a timely strikeout.� He gave up a single in the 5th, but that runner was thrown out trying to steal second.� In the 6th, Pribanic gave up 2 more singles, but left both runners stranded.

Ryan Brasier (Angels) retired the side in order for the Solar Sox in the 7th.� BJ Rosenberg (Phillies) gave up 3 runs to the Rafters in the 8th.� He allowed a lead-off homer, then two more runs on a pair of walks, and a pair of singles.� Chris Kissock (Phillies) pitched the top of the 9th, allowing one single.� He was the pitcher of record when the Solar Sox rallied in the bottom of the inning, so he earned the win.

Mesa Solar Sox� 13,� Surprise Rafters� 5

The Solar Sox started and ended the game with a bang on Friday afternoon in Arizona.� They plated 5 runs in the top of the 1st, and 4 in the top of the 9th, with 2 more in both the 2nd and 5th innings, as they recorded 16 hits.� The Sox' pitchers held the Rafters to 7 hits.

The top of the 1st began with a double by 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and a single by 3B Josh Harrison, which moved Valdespin to third base.� CF Jeremy Moore's (Angels) sacrifice fly brought in Valdespin.� DH Brandon Wood (Angels) lined a single into right field, where the Rafters' right fielder made a throwing error.� That let Harrison score and put Wood on second base.� C Tony Sanchez walked, and RF/CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) doubled, scoring Wood.� SS Jordy Mercer bounced back to the mound, and the runners had to hold.� Then 1B Josh Satin (Mets) lined another single into right field, and both Sanchez and Nieuwenhuis scored, though Satin was thrown out trying to reach second base on the throw in to the plate.

The Rafters scored one run in the bottom of the inning on a double, a ground out, and a sacrifice fly, making the score 5-1.� Mesa came right back to add 2 runs in the 2nd, again sparked by Valedspin and Harrison.� This time it was Valdespin who singled and Harrison who doubled (ground rule).� A fielder's choice and a throwing error by Surprise 1B Eric Hosmer (Team USA and Royals) allowed both runners to score.

Surprise continued to battle, scoring a run in the 3rd on a walk, a stolen base, and an RBI single.� A walk, a triple, and a single gave them 2 more runs in the 4th, and the score was 7 - 4 with the Solar Sox still ahead.� The Solar Sox got 2 runs back in the 5th.� Sanchez and Nieuwenhuisled off the inning with a pair of doubles, and Mercer followed with a single, then stole second base.� LF Tim Kennelly's ground out drove in Nieuwenhuis, to give the Sox a 9-4 lead.

Pitchers took over for the next several innings.� Aaron Pribanic pitched the 6th and 7th innings for Mesa, and he allowed the only two base runners over 4 innings for Surprise.� A single in the 6th was erased by a double play, and a walk in the 7th was left on base.� Harrison had the only hit for the Solar Sox, a single to lead off the 6th.

Mesa Solar Sox� 7,� Peoria Javelinas� 4

The Solar Sox got back on track this afternoon in the Arizona Fall League, beating the Javelinas with two 3-run innings.� The Javelinas out-hit the Solar Sox 12 - 7, with 3B Cord Phelps (Cleveland Indians and Team USA) missing only a triple from hitting for the cycle.

The Solar Sox jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st.� SS Andrew Romine (Angels) and LF Jeremy Moore (Angels) got the inning started with back-to-back walks, and 3B Brandon Wood (Angels) loaded the bases with a single lined into center field.� A sacrifice fly by 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) brought in Romine, and RF Andrew Lambo plated Moore with an RBI ground out.� DH Jordy Mercer doubled into left field, bringing in� Wood for the third run of the inning.

The Javelinas got one run back in the top of the 2nd.� Cubs' Jake Muyco made the start for the Solar Sox.� He gave up that run on a walk,a� single, and a double by DH Koby Clemens (Astros, naturally).�� Muyco also gave up Phelps' double in the 1st and his single in the 3rd.

Lambo doubled in another run for the Solar Sox in the bottom of the 3rd, to give them a 4-1 lead.� Again the Javelinas answered right away, with a 2-run homer off Muyco in the top of the 4th.� Muyco finished his afternoon with 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks over 4 innings.

Chris Carpenter (Cubs) relieved Muyco to begin the 5th inning.� He retired the side in the 5th, then gave up a double and a walk in the 6th.� Chris Kissock (Phillies) finished the inning for Carpenter without allowing a run to score.

Peoria tied the score in the top of the 7th when Kyle Smit (Cubs) gave up Phelps' home run.� This time it was the Solar Sox who returned fire.� In the bottom of the frame, CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) led off with a walk, and Romine dropped a sacrifice bunt then beat it out to put two runners on base.� Moore cleared the bases with a triple to give the Solar Sox a 6-4 lead, then Rizzotti brought Moore in from third base with an RBI single to provide an insurance run.

The Javelinas threatened in the 8th, when they worked a walk and a single off Mesa reliever David Cales (Cubs).� But Cales got a strikeout and two ground outs to keep a run from scoring.� Justin De Fratus (Phillies) earned the save with a scoreless 9th inning, working around a double and a walk.� The blown save, and then the win went to Smit -- it was his third win for the Solar Sox.

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Don't forget the AFL Rising Stars Game on Saturday... Tony Sanchez will represent the Pirates and the Solar Sox.

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Peoria Javelinas� 11,� Mesa Solar Sox� 2

The Mesa Solar Sox were still dealing with the karma rebound from their blow-out win a few days ago, losing to the Javelinas by 9 runs today.� The Sox had three players who recorded two hits each:� 3B Josh Harrison, 1B Josh Satin (Mets), and C Kai Gronauer (Mets).� 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) and RF Andrew Lambo added one hit each to the total.� Of those hits, only one (by Satin) was for extra bases -- a double.

Justin Wilson made the start for the Solar Sox, and he struggled right away in the bottom of the 1st.� The first batter for Peoria reached base on an error by Sox 1B Satin.� The next two batters hit back-to-back singles, bringing in the first run of the game.� A wild pitch allowed the second run to score, and a stolen base and another single drove in the third run of the inning.� Wilson pitched two more innings, retiring the side in order in the 2nd, and allowing 2 walks but no runs in the 3rd.

Bradley Holt (Mets) took over for Wilson to begin the 4th inning.� He gave up another run on a double and a single, extending the Javelina's lead to 4-0.� Brian Leach pitched a scoreless 5th inning, but he was very wild -- he walked 4 batters.� The only reason no runs scored was that a double play (2B Valdespin to SS Jordy Mercer to 1B Satin) followed the first walk and erased that base runner.� Three consecutive walks on 15 pitches loaded the bases, but Leach struck out the next batter to end the inning.

The 6th inning sealed the Solar Sox' fate.� With Jacob Diekman (Phillies) on the mound for the Sox for the first time, the first 7 batters of the inning reached base safely.� A double, a single, a fielding error (1 run), two more singles (2 more runs), a triple (2 runs), and a single (1 run) gave the Javelinas a 10- 0 lead and sent Diekman to the showers.� Eric Niesen came on in relief, and got three outs to end the inning.� Peoria tacked on one more run in the 7th, with Nicholas Carr (Mets) on the mound for Mesa.� Carr also had a wild day, giving up a single then three consecutive walks to force in a run.� Ryan Brasier (Angels) pitched the final inning for Mesa, allowing one walk, but no runs.

The Solar Sox had at least one base runner on in every inning but the 4th.� They only scored in the 8th, when Gronauer singled and Valdespin walked, then Harrison loaded the bases with his second single of the game.� Mercer's sacrifice fly brought in Gonauer.� Lambo followed with a single, plating Valdespin, and that was all the Solar Sox would get.

Other Sox notes:

OF Brett Jackson (Cubs) has had to leave the Solar Sox, due to an infection in his right lower leg.� He will not be able to participate in the rest of the AFL schedule, but is expected to be healed up and ready to go in time for spring training.

The AFL's version of the All-Star game, the Rising Stars Game, will be played on Saturday evening.� It will be the East Division (the Solar Sox, the Phoenix Desert Dogs, and the Scottsdale Scorpions) against the West Division (the Peoria Javelinas, the Peoria Saguaros, and the Surprise Rafters).�� Mesa's C Tony Sanchez is the only Pirates' representative on the Rising Star team.� The game will begin at 9 pm (Eastern time), and will be broadcast on MLB tv and MLB.com.

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Mesa Solar Sox� 15,� Peoria Saguaros� 1

The Solar Sox scored in all but two innings, and each member of the starting lineup had at least one hit and scored at least one run, as they withered the Saguaros this afternoon in the Arizona Fall League.�� RF Andrew Lambo contributed 3 of Mesa's 20 hits, including a home run.

It was all Solar Sox, all the time, right from the start.� In the bottom of the 1st, CF Jeremy Moore and SS Brandon Wood (both of the Angels) walked, and both moved up a base on a passed ball.� 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) brought them in with a single up the middle.

The Sox added 4 runs in the 2nd inning, as the first four batters reached base safely:� a lead-off single by Lambo, a single by DH Ryan Flaherty (Cubs), a double by LF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) for 2 runs, and C Tim Kennelly (Phillies) was hit by a pitch.� A grounder and an error brought in another run, and two more singles (RBI by Wood) plated the fourth run.

By the 4th inning, things were getting out of hand.� Rizzotti doubled, then 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) and Lambo hit back-to-back homers.� Solar Sox 9, Saguaros 0.� Two more runs scored in the 5th, when Lambo singled again.� Vitters and Flaherty had the RBI singles in that inning.� Another two runs came across in the 6th, one on a passed ball and one on a double play grounder.

The Solar Sox did not score in the 7th inning, but Jordy Mercer got a pinch-hitting appearance, though he grounded out.� The final two runs came in the bottom of the 8th.� Kennelly doubled, 2B Jordany Valdespin (Mets) tripled, and Wood hit a sacrifice fly, to make the score 15 - 0.

The Saguaros scored their only runs in the 9th inning.� With Ryan Brasier (Angels) on the mound, Peoria started with a single, and two ground outs moved the runner to third base.�� An RBI double drove in the lone run.

Josh Zeid (Phillies) earned his third win for the Solar Sox (3-0 record) with 4 shutout innings in the start.� Zeid allowed only 2 hits.�� Three more Phillies' pitchers, Tyson Brummett, BJ Rosenberg, and Justin De Fratus, each pitched a perfect inning for Mesa.� Chris Kissock (Phillies, of course), pitched a scoreless 8th inning, allowing 2 hits.

Phoenix Desert Dogs� 12,� Mesa Solar Sox� 6

A 4-run 8th inning and 3 hits by 2B Ryan Flaherty (Cubs) were not nearly enough for the Solar Sox to catch up to the Desert Dogs in Arizona Fall League action this afternoon.

Phoenix hit up Solar Sox' starter Jake Muyco (Cubs) for 4 runs on 7 hits in the first 4 innings.� The Desert Dogs had a 2-run homer in the 2nd inning, and another 2-run blast in the 4th, both off the bat of RF Cory Harrilchak (Braves).� Steven Geltz (Angels) took over for Muyco to begin the 5th inning, but Geltz gave up a 3-run homer to C Kyle Skipworth (Marlins).

Chris Carpenter relieved Geltz, but three more singles, including one by Harrilchak, added the fourth run of the inning.� Skipworth followed Harrilchak's lead, adding another 3-run homer in the 6th inning, off Carpenter.� Carpenter was crazy wild in the 6th, walking three batters and throwing two wild pitches, one of which brought in a run before the homer.

Kyle Smit (Cubs) finished the 6th inning for Carpenter, then pitched a scoreless 7th inning.� Chris Kissock and Justin De Fratus (both Phillies) each pitched a scoreless inning to finish things up.

But the Solar Sox could not get things going.� C Tony Sanchez had the only bright spot for Mesa in the early innings, with his solo home run that led off the 3rd inning.� It was the only hit for the Solar Sox in the first 3 inning.� Flaherty singled to lead off the 4th and stole second base, but got no further.� He singled again in the 6th, following a single by 1B Josh Satin, but both were left on base, and 3B Josh Vitters singled in the 7th, but he was erased in a double play.

Finally in the 8th inning, the Solar Sox heated up a bit.� LF Tim Kennelly (Phillies) led off with a ground-rule double, and Satin followed with a double that glanced off the Phoenix third baseman's glove and into left field.� That plated Kennelly.� Flaherty walked, and with two outs, RF Andrew Lambo lined a double into center field, scoring Satin.� Vitters added a single, driving in Flaherty, and CF Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Mets) singled, bringing Lambo across the plate.� It was 4 runs for the inning, but it got the Solar Sox only as far as 12-5.

Kennelly led off the bottom of the 9th with his second double in two innings.� DH Josh Harrison walked and Flaherty's third hit of the game loaded the bases for the Solar Sox.� SS Jordy Mercer walked to force in a run, but a strikeout and a grounder force out ended the game with the bases still full.

As usual, the Arizona Fall League takes Sunday off, so the Solar Sox will be back on Monday.

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Peoria Javelinas� 6,� Mesa Solar Sox� 4

Josh Harrison has put his slow start in Arizona well behind him.� He continued his hitting tear with 3 more hits today (a double and two singles) with an RBI.� He now has 13 hits over his last 4 games (.684) and 16 in his last 7 games (.500).� The Solar Sox lost to the Javelinas today, but it wasn't because Harrison wasn't doing his part.

SS Jordy Mercer, who had 2 hits today, was the only Mesa batter to reach base in the first two innings, when he walked.� Justin Wilson, getting the start for the Solar Sox, worked around a single in the top of the 1st and around a fielding error in the 2nd inning, but kept Peoria from scoring in those innings.� Each team scored one run in the 3rd.� Javelina's Cord Phelps (Team USA and Cleveland Indians) singled and stole second base in the top of the 3rd, then scored on Nate Tenbrink's (Mariners) RBI single.� In the bottom of the inning, 3B Josh Vitters (Cubs) led off with a walk and stole second base.� DH Andrew Romine's (Angels) single moved Vitters to third, and he scored on 2B Jordany Valdespin's ground out.� Harrison doubled in the inning, but did not score.

Aaron Pribanic took over for Wilson to begin the 4th. Wilson had allowed just that one run on 3 hits, no walks, with 3 strikeouts.� Pribanic pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing two singles in the 5th, but getting out of that jam with a double play.� Both Romine and Harrison singled in the 5th inning for Mesa, but both were left on base.� Mercer also singled in the 6th, and C Tony Sanchez walked, but both were left stranded.

But big trouble came in the top of the 6th, when BJ Rosenberg (Phillies) relieved Pribanic.� Rosenberg gave up a walk, then a 2-run homer.� Then with two outs, he gave up back-to-back solo homers to 1B Kody Clemens (Astros) and SS Matt Lawson (Mariners), and the Javelinas had a 5-1 lead.� Tyson Brummett (Phillies) pitched the 7th and kept the Javelinas from scoring.� Ryan Brasier (Angels) gave up another run in the 8th, on a double, a walk, and two wild pitches.� Robert Fish (Angels) pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 9th.

The Solar Sox went into the bottom of the 9th with a 6-1 lead, but they hadn't given up.� Romine led off with a ball to short, which was misplayed, allowing him to reach first safely.� Valdespin singled, and Romine made it to third.� Valdespin stole second, and when Harrison singled, Romine scored and Valdespin advanced to third.� CF Jeremy Moore's (Angels) sacrifice fly brought in Valdespin.� Singles by 1B Matt Rizzotti (Phillies) and Mercer drove in Harrison with the third run o fthe inning.� After a strikeout (out #2), Sanchez walked to load the bases.� Andrew Lambo came in to pinch-run for Sanchez, but Vitters grounded to short, and Lambo was forced out to end the game with the Solar Sox coming in a little short.

Sanchez walked twice but had no hits in 3 other at-bats (average .267).� Harrison went 3-for-5 (average at .360) and Mercer went 2-for-4 with a walk (average at .308).� Lambo is hitting .314, though he did not have an at-bat tonight.

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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