AFL Update: Nov. 13, 2012
A pair of crooked numbers in the 5th and 6th innings broke open a 2-1 game as the Salt River Rafters doubled up the Mesa Solar Sox, 8-4.
Ryan Perry got the win with a run (solo HR) on three hits given up over four innings, along with three walks and two strikeouts. Perry struggled to find the plate with just 35 of 67 pitches going for strikes.
Matt Skole once again batted third and played first, stroking two singles, drawing two walks, driving in two (including a sac fly) and scoring twice to push his numbers to .321/.429/.554. Defensively, the Georgian racked up eight putouts without an error.
Anthony Rendon shook off Saturday’s oh-fer with a pair of doubles and a walk to improve his line to .319/.488/.686. Rendon played third but had no assists or putouts.
Cole Kimball was scorched for the second time in three outings, surrendering three runs on two hits two walks over an inning and 2/3rds. He did strikeout three, but his ERA ballooned to 4.85 and the 27-year-old has as many walks (8) as strikeouts (8) in 13 innings this fall.
The win puts Salt River in the driver’s seat for a spot in the AFL Championship game on Saturday, as the Rafters lead the AFL East by 2½ games with three to play. They can eliminate second-place Scottsdale with a win today as the two teams meet at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick this afternoon.
I know there’s going to be a lot of talk of ‘small sample size’, but the fact that there’s 3 Nats farmhands with over .900 OPS is a big deal.
Also, there’s a been a lot of complaints about how poor the pitching is. Given how teams are using the AFL to make roster decisions (*cough, cough* Cole Kimball), that’s not surprising.
That’s a good point, a lot of teams like the Nats (Meyer,Karns) have their stud pitchers on innings limits, so you don’t always get the best pitchers.
Still don’t want to discount Goodwin’s, Renden’s & Skole’s terrific showing.
Confidence plays a big part in development.
Let’s hope folks remember that if/when Rendon & Goodwin return to Harrisburg next April.
Boy, spring training is going to be a good one this year with the likes of Rendon. Thx Luke I don’t think I comment a lot if not at all, but I read everyday, sir…love the shots of your bulldog or is he/she a pug
Louisville, a.k.a. LuLu, is a bulldog mix — French, American, English along with Bull Mastiff. We had her DNA tested after we adopted her from Lucky Dog Rescue this past August. The name comes from where I was when Spike passed away, and I thought it would be an homage of sorts for him.
Of the 109 batters in the AFL, the Nationals have 3 of the best 30 batters. Batter/pitcher friendly stats aside, the Nats batters are setting themselves apart from their peers.