|
|
2003 season September 30, 2003
The Arizona Fall League opened its 12th season today with a full slate of three games. By far the best game was the evening encounter at Scottsdale Stadium between the visiting Peoria Saguaros and the home team Scorpions. The Saguaros earned a 1-0 victory behind the two-hit pitching of Robert Keppel (Mets - P), Trevor Hutchinson (Marlins - P), Franklin Francisco (Rangers - P), Tim Bausher (Brewers - P) and Cliff Bartosh (Padres - P). The left-handed Bartosh was the most impressive of the five Peoria hurlers, pitching 2 1/3 perfect innings and fanning three batters. Reggie Abercrombie (Dodgers - OF) provided the only offense for Scottsdale, with a pair of infield singles ....
The most impressive homerun of the day came off the bat of Richie Lewis (Braves - 2B), who smacked a long, towering drive to left field with two runners aboard in the 9th inning, leading the Mesa Solar Sox to a 10-5 victory over the Mesa Desert Dogs. Matt Holliday (Rockies - OF) also went deep for the Solar Sox .... The only other homerun today came off the bat of Grand Canyon outfielder Michael Vento (Yankees - OF) during a 10-run inning in the Rafters 10-3 win over the Peoria Javelinas .... Mesa Desert Dog Dan Johnson (A's - 1B) collected four hits, including a double, in his first AFL game. The left-handed hitter has a nice line drive stroke ....
Jason Bourgeois (Rangers - 2B) recorded the best defensive play of the day, ranging far to his left to stop a ground ball, and then made an off-balance throw to nail runner Dallas McPherson (Angels - 3B) at first .... Mesa Desert Dog outfielder Rich Thompson (Pirates - OF) played effective "small ball" this afternoon, reaching base three times on a pair of infield hits and a walk. The left-handed hitting Thompson stole three bases, including the front end of a double steal .... ------------------------------- The six AFL teams return to action tomorrow with a pair of day games and one contest, at Peoria Stadium, under the lights. --- Bill Mitchell All photos on the Arizona Fall League Report are credited to Bill Mitchell, unless noted otherwise, and are not to be used for any other purpose without express permission.
|
