AFL Update: Oct. 26, 2013
Mesa put up two runs in the 9th and Richie Mirowski, the fan’s choice for reliever of the year, shut the door in the 9th for a 7-5 win over Peoria.
Mirowski was the only Solar Sox pitcher to not give up a run, surrendering just a walk in the 9th and weathering a two-out error by Tigers prospect Dixon Machado to earn his first AFL save. He threw sixteen pitches, nine for strikes while lowering his ERA to 1.80.
Adrian Nieto got the start behind the plate and batted seventh. Offensively, he went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. The two-out single in the 6th was just his second hit batting lefthanded thus far this fall, 2-for-12 overall (vs. 4-for-8 against LHPs). Defensively, he threw out two of seven baserunners.
The win improves Mesa to 10-4-1 an widens the gap between 1st and 2nd place to 2½ games. The Solar Sox finish out the week with a Surprise visit (ok, fine it’s the Saguaros) this afternoon.
Don’t know what to make of the fan poll, but you have to root for someone who was a 45th round pick.
it’s hard to argue that he’s not a legitimate choice based on his stats. he’ll be one to watch to see if the success translates to higher levels