The Rafters nearly notched their first shutout, but gave up a run in the 9th to “only” win, 3-0. Dustin Saenz got the start and somehow managed to string three scoreless innings in a row, giving up three hits and a walk while striking out four. This lowered his Fall ERA to 6.00. Phillip Glasser …
Salt River’s bullpen once again faltered, blowing a 5-1 lead in a 7-6 loss to Peoria. Alas, two of those responsible were Nationals relievers. Matt Cronin stranded one while getting the last out of the 5th then let in three on four hits during the 6th. He walked none and struck out one while notching …
Robert Hassell was thrown out at the plate in the 8th, but the runner ahead of him scored on a two-out single that gave the Rafters a 7-6 lead that the bullpen held on its third try. Hassell had drawn a walk and stolen second base prior to future Dancing with the Stars contestant Gino …
Two Nationals appeared in the game:
● Robert Hassell started in center, batted third, but was 0-for-5 at the plate with two strikeouts. He had no putouts, chances, or fielded balls.
● Chase Solesky gave up a solo HR and three hits total over two innings. He walked none and struck out two.
The two teams switch venues for this afternoon’s game with Salt River (7-7) visiting Glendale (9-5).
The Rafters blew leads of 2-0, 3-1, and 5-3 before getting some bullpen help to hold for a 6-5 win over the Saguaros.
Dustin Saenz was not among the effective Salt River relievers, but was the beneficiary of the final run scored as he was the pitcher of record after allowing two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out two over two frames to maintain his 9.00 ERA in his third AFL outing.
Max Romero Jr. started behind the plate and batted seventh. He went 0-for-2 with two walks at the plate and 0-for-3 denying base thieves, with all three coming while Saenz was pitching.
It’s a third straight home game for Salt River (7-6) as the Rafters host the Glendale Desert Dogs this afternoon (8-5).
Salt River erased a 4-0 deficit with a five-run 5th, then took a 6-4 lead before giving it back on a pair of two-run HRs in the 7th and 9th innings to fall, 6-4. Robert Hassell started in center field and batted third. He reached base three times on a single and two walks, scoring …
Robert Hassell’s two-run homer capped off a three-run 8th as the Rafters stung the Scorpions, 4-2 last night in Scottsdale.
Hassell, who was featured the AFL site, also singled and stole a base to go 2-for-4 with two RBI and two strikeouts as the designated hitter for Salt River. In eight fall games, he’s posted a line of .406/.441/.813 with two homers and 12 RBI.
Max Romero Jr. also got the start for the Rafters, catching the game and batting eighth. He went 1-for-4 with a strikeout but 0-for-5 throwing out would-be basestealers.
Salt River (6-5) returns to action on Tuesday when the Rafters host the Scorpions (4-7).
Salt River and Glendale traded zeroes for five and a half innings before the Desert Dogs pushed across the sole run for a 1-0 win in the seven-inning game.
Robert Hassell was the only National to appear in the game. He batted second and had one of the four (4) singles collected by the Rafters, going 1-for-3 with a strikeout. In the field, he had one putout and fielded the triple the produced the game’s lone run.
Salt River (5-5) heads to Scottsdale (4-6) for a 5pm start today.
The Rafters were held scoreless in the 1st and 4th innings, but put up crooked numbers in the other six “ups” in a 14-4 smackdown of the Javelinas. Robert Hassell was the only National in the starting lineup. He batted fifth and went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple, three RBI, and a run scored. …
Max Romero Jr. was the only National to appear in the game. The 23-y.o. Miami, FL native started behind the plate and went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI on a sacrifice fly, a whiff, and a run scored. Defensively, he had 14 putouts – all on strikeouts.
The Rafters (4-4) remain home to host the Javelinas (2-7) this afternoon.