No AFL update, but if you need a breathless preview of today’s title game, here you go. As we’re all familiar with the offseason cycle, with the AFL’s end comes the Rule 5 protection deadline (Monday, 8 p.m.) This, of course, has become less and less meaningful as the Nats system has thinned while the …
The Solar Sox ended the regular season with a thud, losing to Suprise, 10-5.
Three Nationals saw game action.
Daniel Johnson led off and played center field, going 1-for-5 with a two-run double and two strikeouts. Defensively, he had three putouts.
Kelvin Gutierrez (pictured) took third base and had an assist and an error. At the plate, he went 1-for-4.
Austen Williams was lit up for five runs again – this time on five hits over 2/3rds of an inning. In nine AFL appearances, he’s had just two outings in which he did not allow a run.
Today’s an off day before tomorrow’s obligatory Championship Game between the Solar Sox and the Javelinas. The game will be broadcast on the MLB Network and MLB.com at 3 p.m.
The Solar Sox clinched the AFL East with a 5-2 win over Surprise.
Like yesterday, there were just two Nats in the starting lineup.
Victor Robles reached base twice without getting hit by a pitch as he drew walks in 7th and 9th innings. Defensively, he had two putouts in centerfield.
Daniel Johnson ended an oh-for-ever streak (Ok, fine – 25 AB’s) with a two-out double in the 5th. Pictured is his reaction to the bench cheering for the hit. He fielded just one ball in right field, a single to lead off the bottom of the 1st.
The two teams rematch and play the final regular-season game this afternoon in Mesa.
Glendale got two in the 1st and never trailed as they handed Mesa another loss, 5-1.
Just two Nationals played in yesterday’s game:
• Kelvin Gutierrez got the start at first base, where he played error-free and took par in a double play. At the plate, he was 0-for-3 to lose his modest hit streak but drew a walk to reach base for the 10th time in the last 10 games.
• Jimmy Cordero (pictured) pitched two innings, giving up a run on three hits and a walk. He threw 40 pitches, 22 for strikes.
Despite the loss, the Solar Sox still hold a 1½ game lead with two games to play. They play the Saguaros this afternoon with a chance to clinch a spot in Saturday’s title game with a win.
Mesa is still on track to the Finals, but it was over early as Glendale lit up both Kyle McGowin and Austen Williams for five runs in a 10-3 loss. McGowin got knocked from the box in the second after giving up five hits, including a three-run homer an a solo shot. Williams got the …
Mesa went to town on Salt River with a seven-run 5th en route to a 16-2 demolition to take one giant step closer to securing a spot in next Saturday’s championship game.
Victor Robles (pictured from Friday afternoon) was the only National to appear in the game. The 20-y.o. reached base twice with (*gasp*) a hit-by-pitch and a walk and scored twice. He also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and stole his seventh base in his eleventh AFL game.
The Solar Sox return to action on Monday with a visit to the Desert Dogs, the first of just four games in this, the final week.
A pitcher’s duel went into extras, but Mesa’s two runs in the final inning (by rule) were matched by Salt River for a 3-3 tie in 11 innings. Victor Robles, who signed for eBay investors the fans prior to the game, led off the game as the DH with a infield single and homered for …
Mesa couldn’t hold a 2-1 lead late and and couldn’t outslug Peoria as they fell in 10 innings, 5-4.
Just one National appeared in the starting lineup. Kelvin Gutierrez (pictured above, throwing out speedster Lourdes Gurriel) lowered his batting average again with a 2-for-5 afternoon but extended his on-base streak to seven games. He also drew a walk, stole a base, and struck out.
Two relievers made an appearance. Dakota Bacus turned in a perfect inning, mowing ’em down on 13 pitches (10 strikes) in the 7th. Austen Williams struck out the side in the 8th but was also lit up for two runs on two hits for a blown save.
The Solar Sox, who still lead the AFL East by 1½ games, visit the Rafters this afternoon.
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Today is the observation Veterans Day. If you’ll permit me a plug from my day job, please read A Practical Guide to Honoring Vets on Veterans Day.
The Javelinas got a run in the 1st but it was all Mesa after that as the Solar Sox took this one, 5-1.
Victor Robles fouled a ball off his foot in his second plate appearance, a walk, which didn’t stop him from swiping second and third but did give him the rest of the afternoon off. He finished 0-for-1.
Kelvin Gutierrez got the start at 1B and lowered his BA to .421 with a 1-for-3 game, driving in two with a single and a sacrifice fly.
Taylor Gushue’s hit streak ended with an 0-for-4 game at catcher. No opposing baserunners tried to steal yesterday.
Daniel Johnson started in left field and took over in center field after Robles left the game. He drew a walk but was 0-for-2 with a run scored.
The league off today as they down towards next Saturday’s championship game. Mesa leads the AFL East by 2½ games with seven left to go.
Kelvin Gutierrez drew a leadoff walk in the 4th and scored ahead of A.J. Simcox’s two-run HR that gave the Solar Sox a 2-1 lead en route to a 5-2 win over the Scorpions. Kyle McGowin (pictured) won for third time in five starts with one run let in on a home run and five …