News and Notes on the Nationals Minors since 2009
The Sagauros couldn’t string together two in a row as they dropped the regular-season finale, 5-3. It was a nearly full complement of the AFL Nationals as all four position players appeared in the seven-inning game. Luis Garcia batted second and played short but went 0-for-4. He took part in two double plays but also …
Beginning with a two-run double off the bat of Nick Banks (both pictured above), the Sagauros broke up a Star Trek convention in the top of the 4th with four runs, then stung the Scorpions with six more in the 5th as they stopped a four-game losing streak with a 10-2 win last night in …
The off day did little to stop Surprise’s tailspin as the Sagauros fell for the fourth straight game, 2-0 to the Solar Sox. Luis Garcia was penciled in (could have been pen, but it’s an expression) at his usual spot in the field (shortstop) and his usual slot in the lineup (second). Garcia extended his …
The Sagauros dropped their third straight game, 4-0 to the Solar Sox, but now have their opponent set for this Saturday’s Championship game.
Three Nationals appeared in the game:
The loss drops Surprise to 16-10, same record as Salt River, their opponent for the title game, which will be held in Salt River.
Today is the final off day for the 2019 AFL season. The Solar Sox and Saguaros will rematch tomorrow night in Mesa.
The most likely matchup for the next Saturday’s AFL Championship game went once again to the Salt River Rafters with a 2-1 win over the Surprise Sagauros in 10 innings last night. In the top of the 1st, Cole Freeman reached base on a throwing error and took third on another throwing error, stealing his …
It was a light night for the Nationals contingent as only Luis Garcia appeared in Surprise’s 8-1 loss to Salt River. Garcia was hitless in four at-bats but, as pictured, won the heart of a young fan prior to the game. The two teams switch venues and rematch tonight. The Javelinas also lost to reduce …
The Desert Dogs couldn’t hold a 1-0 lead through seven and a half and instead gave up three in the bottom of the 8th for a 3-1 win by the Saguaros. Just two Nationals players appeared in the game: • Luis Garcia started at shortstop and batted second, where he was 1-for-3 with a walk …
The Desert Dogs put up crooked numbers in three of the first five innings as they doubled up the Saguaros for an 8-4 win. Nick Banks and Cole Freeman (pictured) were in the Surprise starting line up in right field and designated hitter, respectively. Banks went 0-for-4 at the plate and fielded three singles, throwing …
The Sagauros continue to roll in the AFL as they spun their third straight shutout, 3-0 against the Javelinas, for their sixth straight win.
Just two Nationals appeared in the game.
• Luis Garcia (pictured above) batted second started at shortstop but was hitless for second time in three games. In the field, he had three assists, including a the start of 6-4-3 DP.
• Nick Banks, the hero from Monday night, batted sixth and went 1-for-4 with a run scored. In right field, he handled both balls hit his way – a single and a flyball.
It’s off to Glendale tonight for a matchup between 1st and 3rd place. Peoria’s magic number is down to five.
Nick Banks’s pinch-hit solo HR in the 7th proved to be enough for the Sagauros pitchers, as five of them combined on a 1-0, three-hit shutout against the Javelinas.
The quintet was led by Sterling Sharp, who once again spun five scoreless innings to lower his fall ERA to 1.42. He gave up one hit, walked three, and fanned five while throwing 73 pitches, 43 for strikes in the no-decision.
Luis Garcia started and played shortstop. He reached base three times with single, walk, and a Victor Robles.
K.J. Harrison caught for the second time and batted cleanup but went 0-for-4 with two whiffs. He went 1-for-3 in throwing out basestealers.
The win was the fifth straight for Surprise and opened up a three-game lead in the AFL West with nine games left to play. The two teams rematch tonight in Peoria.