R.J. Sales started but was pushed two batters too far as the Javelinas sank the Rafters 6-5 to end Salt River’s season. Sales had but one clean inning as he was dinged for one in the 1st, three in the 2nd, and one in the 4th. His final line: five runs on seven hits and …
A three-run 4th broke open a 2-1 game as Salt River advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-2 win over Mesa.
Jarlin Susana started and pitched into the 3rd, racking up five K’s while allowing two hits and a walk. He threw 58 pitches, 34 for strikes, in what will likely be his last appearance of 2026.
Kevin Bazzell batted fifth and started behind the plate. He singled twice in four trips to the plate and stole his fifth base of the fall season. Defensively, he was charged with his fifth passed ball and allowed his 40th steal. But he did pick off a runner at first base.
Teo Banks came on for defense in the 8th and struck out in his sole plate appearance.
The Rafters will play the Javelinas tonight in Peoria. No word on who will start, but R.J. Sales last pitched a week ago.
After falling behind 3-2 in the middle innings, the Rafters pulled away with crooked numbers in the 5th, 6th, and 7th to eclipse the Solar Sox, 12-4.
Just two Nationals appeared in the seven-inning game.
● Teo Banks batted seventh and played left field. He went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI, a run scored, and two stolen bases. He got caught once.
● Elian Soto was the No. 9 batter and the right fielder for the Rafters. He was 1-for-4 with a walk but struck out three times.
Despite finishing with 14 wins to fourth-place Scottsdale’s 13, third-place Salt River will play fifth-place Mesa tonight at Sloan Park. Jarlin Susana is expected to start for the Rafters.
If Salt River wins, they will play Peoria tomorrow night at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Salt River fell behind 5-0 after three and narrowed the gap to 8-6. That’s as close as they could get as Peoria plated six in the 7th to hand the Rafters a 14-6 loss. Here’s how the Nationals who appeared in the game did: Kevin Bazzell caught the first three innings and went 0-for-1 with …
Last night was the AFL Fall Stars Game, which saw three Nationals appear in a 7-4 win by the N.L. Jarlin Susana started the game and got the one-handed typing going early with triple-digit heat as he struck out two while allowing a hit and a walk in his single inning pitched. Teo Banks started …
Salt River fell behind 6-2 early and rallied late but fell one run short, 8-7. R.J. Sales started on normal rest was charged with six runs on seven hits and two in three-plus innings. He struck out one and threw 76 pitches, 49 for strikes. Noah Dean followed Sales on the mound and let in …
Like our bedtimes as we barrel past 50, this seems to creep up earlier and earlier each year. Yesterday, the boys in Durham unveiled their 2027 Top 10 List for the Washington Nationals: Eli Willits, SS (1) Seaver King, SS (5) Jarlin Susana, RHP (2) Travis Sykora, RHP (3) Samil Serrano (’26 IFA) Chris Hacopian, …
The Rafters answered a two-spot in the 1st with three in the 2nd and then went silent as the Javelinas prevailed, 5-3. Four Nationals appeared in the game: Kevin Bazzell was the DH and batted cleanup but went 0-for-3 before he was ejected after grounding out to end the 5th. Teo Banks was the #6 …
Salt River blew leads of 3-0 and 7-5 and put the tying and winning runs on in the 9th but survived for a 9-8 win.
Elian Soto was the sole National in the starting lineup. Juan’s little brother batted eighth and played right field, going 1-for-5 with a two-run HR.
Nolan Hughes was the only Nationals pitcher to appear, and was somehow entrusted with pitching the 9th despite a 36.00 ERA and 18 walks in three (3) innings. The 24-y.o. southpaw only walked two and let in an unearned run on two hits and error to come away with the save.
The Rafters (13-12) will see how it plays in Peoria as they visit the tied-for-first-place Javelinas (14-10) tonight.
Another day, another 6-0 lead blown. The Rafters batters tried to keep up but couldn’t outhit the mistakes of their relievers for an 11-10 loss in 10 innings. Three Nationals appeared in the game: Kevin Bazzell doubled, homered, and drove in three and went 3-for-10 throwing out baserunners as the Salt River catcher. He also …