AFL Update: Nov. 11, 2016
Glendale fell behind 3-0 after the first three outs and couldn’t catch Surprise as they lost another one, 3-1.
Andrew Stevenson and Drew Ward were tablesetters in the Desert Dog lineup, playing LF and 3B respectively. Stevenson went 1-for-4 at the plate with two strikeouts and had four putouts on defense. Ward was 1-for-3 with four assists and no errors.
Ryan Brinley (pictured) tossed a 1-2-3 eighth inning with two groundouts and a strikeout on just nine pitches, seven for strikes.
The loss lowered the Desert Dogs’ tragic number to four games with six games remaining in the fall campaign, but just one vs. the first-place Javelinas (next Thursday). Glendale visits Scottsdale tonight before switching venues tomorrow afternoon.
Stevenson and Ward struggled at the plate in their half-seasons in AA but have really found their footing in the desert. Stevenson is slashing .338/.377/.507, while Ward is at .333/.397/.409. Ward still needs show more power, but he’s doing a great job getting on base. Meanwhile, Abreu is scuffling: .245/.264/.286.
On the pitching side, it’s interesting to note that despite Voth’s struggles, his WHIP is still at only 1.18. Brinley’s is 0.78. Meanwhile, Lee has a deceptively good 2.04 ERA, as it is (un)balanced by a 2.04 WHIP. Johansen has a 2.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, meaning he’ll probably get yet-yet-yet-yet another chance.
Voth has really turned it around lately, he may not be the power arm that Rizzo loves but he truly is learning how to pitch.
Gotta love what Ward and Stevenson are showing.
Ward should repeat AA in 17 to start
Season
Maybe bring back Zach WAlters
To lend versatility to Gardners
Guys in Cuse ??