AFL Update: Oct. 7, 2023
A six-run 1st proved to be too much to overcome as the Scorpions lost their first contest, 9-6
Two Nationals appeared in the starting lineup for Scottsdale:
● Robert Hassell (pictured above) batted second and played right field. At the plate, he went 1-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs on two sacrifice flies. In the field, he had one putout.
● Israel Pineda (pictured below) batted fifth and went 0-for-5 at the plate and 0-for-5 throwing out baserunners, though our photographer passes along word that the pitchers weren’t throwing over or otherwise paying much attention to the baserunners.
The Scorpions close out the week this afternoon with a trip to Sloan Park in Mesa to face the Solar Sox.
Cross our fingers and hope with Hassell that someone in AZ who is laying fresh eyes on him can help him figure things out.
Does Pineda get a Mulligan because of coming back from injury? He’s sure not looking at the moment like someone worth keeping on the 40-man. One would think that the Nats will sign some AAA catching depth rather than count on him too much.
As usual, a great job by Lee, AKA ‘our photographer’.
It’s hard to reconcile 2022 Israel Pineda with the 2023 version. Totally different players.
Thank you Mark!!~ Always happy to get a shoutout from “the editor”…..