AFL Update: Oct. 19, 2018
It was a Star Trek convention in regulation and a disaster in extras, but the Rafters didn’t lose, 2-1 in 10 innings against the Desert Dogs.
The two teams each collected three hits through the first nine innings. Glendale’s fourth, a double with one out, plated the free runner in the top of the 10th for the game’s first run. A passed ball put the insurance at third, but Kevin Ginkel bore down and got the second and third outs to keep the score 1-0, Glendale.
Carter Kieboom led off the Rafters’ 10th with a walk, took second on a sacrifice, third on grounder hit too slowly for a double play (and scored the tying run), and strolled in (pictured) on a balk for the “walkoff” 2-1 win. The two teams combined for two walks, a wild pitch, a passed ball, and a balk in the 10th.
Kieboom started and played short but was 0-for-3 prior to the 10th. Daniel Johnson led off and played center but was also hitless at 0-for-4.
All three Nats relievers got into the game:
• Ben Braymer was the first man out of the ‘pen and went two scoreless with a hit and four whiffs. He did not issue a walk.
• Taylor Guilbeau came on with two runners on in the 6th and was credited with 1/3 inning pitched when Glendale’s Thairo Estrada was gunned down at home on a 2-6-2 putout. He then worked a 1-2-3 seventh.
• Jordan Mills tossed two perfect innings and struck out three.
The win preserved a three-way tie in the AFL East while Glendale remains winless at 0-8. The two teams will play today in Glendale for a (gasp) day game.
There are the three lefty relievers in AFLto seed @ Burg @ F. F troops like the old tele show.
Some say oriole’s way rebuild is the most interesting but post Harper Nats could be most interesting re- TOOL. Ala Expos post Dawson.
Robbie Ray ? Cargo? Bullpen fodder?? Tony Watson or Quackenbush types ? Flip Renton to Rox for that stud 3 b?
Rizzo should get creative.
Hmmmm. Knorr possibly taking another post in 2019? Move him to AA??
Nats hitters are a combined 6 for 55 (.109 AVG).
Who’d have guessed a pitching staff consisting of 26 year old Jordan Mills, 25 year old Taylor Guilbeau and Braymer and Reyes would be carrying the Nats AFL contingent?
I just want to give a shout-out to Lee for once again doing a great job as NP’s Southwest correspondent and photographer!
I consider myself pretty good with a camera but I would be hard pressed to do a better job than him.
Congrats!
Thank you very much Mark!!~
And Luke hit it right on the head when he gasps at the day game in Glendale, a.k.a. Melanoma Stadium.
Story is that ex-Dodger owner Frank McCourt’s wife wanted to see the mountains from her suite so the stadium was built with the opposite exposure than the norm.
I was there. Lots of SPF 55 sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt and hat kept the cancer germs away, but it sure was HOT!!