Arizona Fall League Weekly Stats Update (through 10/29)

BATTERS            AVG  AB  H 2B 3B HR RBI   OBP   SLG   OPS
Nevin Ashley      .375  32 12  2  0  2   9  .417  .625 1.042
Cody Cipriano     .250   4  1  1  0  0   1  .250  .500  .750
Shawn O'Malley    .333  36 12  1  0  0   2  .400  .361  .761

PITCHERS           W  L   ERA  G GS SV   IP  H HR SO BB  WHIP  BAA 
Matt Gorgen        0  1 19.64  5  0  1  3.2 11  1  6  3  3.82 .500
Paul Phillips      0  0  0.00  5  0  0  6.0  2  0  3  3  0.83 .100
Heath Rollins      0  0  8.44  5  0  0  5.1 11  0  3  2  2.44 .407
Mitch Talbot       2  0  7.59  3  3  0 10.2 15  2  6  2  1.59 .319

Phoenix Desert Dogs shut out by Peoria Saguaros

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs saw two streaks come to an end as they were shut out by the Peoria Saguaros on Thursday at Peoria Sports Complex. The 4-0 loss saw the end of the Desert Dogs four game winning streak. Grant Desme also saw his eleven game hitting streak come to an end by going 0-4 at the plate.

Peoria broke the scoreless tie in the home half of the fourth inning. Carlos Rivero got things started with a one out double. Freddie Freeman followed with an RBI single to score Rivero and give the Saguaros a 1-0 lead.

The Saguaros added another run to their total in the fifth inning. Lance Zawadzki drew a walk to put a runner on the bases. Zawadzki proceeded to second on a stolen base and later scored on a triple by Jonathan Gaston, giving the Saguaros a 2-0 lead.

Peoria added two more insurance runs in the eighth inning. Carlos Rivero picked up his second double of the game to get things started. Matt McBride then drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Zach Cozart drove home the first run of the inning with a single to left that scored Rivero. McBride later scored on an error by Chris Marrero and the Saguaros held on for the 4-0 victory.

James Simmons suffered the loss, falling to 1-1 on the fall. Wilton Lopez was the winning pitcher for Peoria.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Chris Marrero; only Desert Dog to record multiple hits by going 2 for 4.

Rays Organization Stats:
No Rays players made an appearance in today’s game.

A Look Ahead: The Desert Dogs (10-5) return home to Phoenix Municipal Stadium to face the Peoria Javelinas (9-6) on Friday. Brandon Erbe (0-0, 1.93) is scheduled to start for Phoenix and will pitch against Scot Drucker (1-1, 6.43).

Dominican Winter League Recap from 10/28

Licey 5, Toros 2
Willy Aybar (Licey); 0 for 3 with a K

Venezuelan Winter League Recap from 10/28

La Guaira 18, Margarita 17
Ray Olmedo (Margarita); 1 for 5 with a double, 3 RBI’s, a run scored and a stolen base.

Magallanes 6, Caracas 3
Rayner Oliveros (Caracas); 1.1 IP, 1 run on 2 hits with a strikeout.

A Whole Bunch Of Guys Released(featuring Glenn Gibson)

BaseballAmerica's latest transactions list brings the bad news for the following players:

RHP Jordi Amargos, RHP Kevin Boggan, RHP Jesse Darcy, RHP Diego Echeverria, RHP Bladimir Florentino, RHP Jose Mejias, RHP Juan Santana, LHP Glenn Gibson, LHP Ryan Morse, 2B Claudio Fukunaga, OF J.T. Hall, OF Astin Jacobo, OF Ramon Novas, OF Justin Reynolds

Jesse Darcy pitched really well for the 2008 Columbus Catfish, but he was old for the level couldn't follow it up with Charlotte in 2009. Diego Echeverria goes down as a failed experiment, as the Argentinian knuckleballer could never put it together consistently. He had an ERA over 8 with Bowling Green this year. Glenn Gibson was of course the player the Rays got back from Washington in return for Elijah Dukes. After a strong performance in the NY-P in 2007 with the Nats, Gibson battled mononucleosis and could never post an ERA under 6.50 between Hudson Valley(2008 and 2009) and Columbus(part of 2008).

Ryan Morse gave the Rays system some quality innings, making it as high as AA, but he'll turn 27 next year and I guess the Rays don't forsee having a spot for him next year. J.T. Hall also reached Montgomery, but he was eligible for minor-league free agency after six years in the system. Justin Reynolds was a mildly intriguing draft-and-follow back in 2006, but he posted a .619 OPS as a 22-year old with Bowling Green in 2009.

Phoenix Desert Dogs defeat Peoria Javelinas 11-6 in battle of the leaders

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs were on the winning end of a match up that put the first place teams of each division head to head. In the end, it was the Desert Dogs defeating the Peoria Javelinas 11-6 on Wednesday at Peoria Sports Complex.

Phoenix took the lead early in the first inning and never looked back. Shawn O’Malley doubled to left to lead off the game. O’Malley advanced to third on a sac bunt by Jemile Weeks. Brandon Snyder then drew a walk to put runners on the corner. Grant Desme then cleared the bases with a three run home run, increasing his hitting streak to eleven games and giving the Dogs a 3-0 lead.

The Desert Dogs posted another run to the scoreboard in the second when Jemile Weeks doubled to center to score AJ Jimenez. They then added two more runs in the third. Grant Desme drew a walk to lead off the third. Brandon Waring followed with an RBI triple to score Desme. Waring later scored on an RBI single by Corey Brown increasing the Desert Dog lead to 6-0.

Peoria took their zero off the board in the bottom of the third inning. Lucas May doubled to left to lead off the inning. May was later erased from the base path as Cale Iorg reached on a fielders choice with May thrown out at third. Justin Sellers singled to right, advancing Iorg to second. Trayvon Robinson followed with an RBI single to score Iorg for the first run of the inning. Then Jordan Danks drove home the second run with a single to score Sellers. Casper Wells then cleared the bases with a three run home run to bring the Javelinas to within a run of the lead 6-5.

Phoenix added some separation in the fourth inning. Jemile Weeks was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Grant Desme and Brandon Snyder followed with back to back singles to load the bases. Corey Brown then hit a line drive that was deflected by the second baseman, allowing Weeks and Desme to score. Nevin Ashley followed with a sac fly to score Waring and give the Desert Dogs a 9-5 lead.

Peoria posted another run in the home half of the sixth. Andrew Lambo singled to right to lead off the inning. Joseph Dunigan doubled home Lambo to bring the Javelinas to within three runs of the lead, 9-6.

Phoenix added some insurance in the form of two more runs in the eighth inning. Shawn O’Malley led off the inning with a single. Jemile Weeks followed with an RBI double to score O’Malley, Weeks was out at third as he tried to stretch the double into a triple. Grant Desme then struck his second home run of the game, giving the Desert Dogs the 11-6 margin of victory.

Mitch Talbot improved to 2-0 on the season, earning the victory despite giving up five runs in the third inning. Josh Butler was charged with the loss for Peoria.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Grant Desme; blasted 2 home runs in the game and went 3-4 at the plate with 4 RBI’s and 4 runs scored. Also improved his hitting streak to 11 games and now has 11 home runs and is 3 away from tying the season record of 14 set in 2005 by Brandon Wood.

Rays Organization Stats:
Shawn O’Malley; 3 for 6 with a double and 3 runs scored.
Nevin Ashley; 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Mitch Talbot; improved to 2-0 by throwing 4.0 innings allowing 5 runs on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts and a walk.
Health Rollins; pitched a no hit frame in the eighth.

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs remain in Peoria to face the Saguaros on Thursday at the Peoria Sports Complex. James Simmons (1-0, 3.52) will toe the rubber for Phoenix against Wilton Lopez (0-0, 3.00) for Peoria.

Dominican Winter League Recap from 10/27

Aguilas 4, Gigantes 3
Julio DePaula (Gigantes); 0.2 IP, 2 runs on 2 hits with a strikeout.

Venezuelan Winter League Recap from 10/27

Margarita 6, La Guaira 3
Ray Olmedo (Margarita); 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

Caracas 5, Lara 4
Joe Bateman (Caracas); 2.1 IP, no runs on 2 hits with a strikeout.

Phoenix Desert Dogs hold on to defeat Surprise Rafters 7-6

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs held off a late game rally by the Surprise Rafters to win 7-6 on Tuesday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The Desert Dogs hit the scoreboard first in the second inning. Josh Bell was hit by a pitch and Grant Desme drew a walk to lead off the inning. Corey Brown followed with an RBI double to score Bell. Then Brad Emaus drove home Desme to give Phoenix a 2-0 lead.

Phoenix increased their lead in the fourth inning. Grant Desme walked to lead off the inning. Corey Brown cleared the bases with a two run home run to give the Desert Dogs a 4-0 lead.

Surprise reached the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Mike Moustakas led off the inning with a double to right. Marcus Lemon followed with an RBI triple to score Moustakas. Then Daryl Jones drove home Lemon to pull Surprise within two runs of the lead.

The Desert Dogs added three more runs to the scoreboard in the fifth. Danny Espinosa and Chris Marrero delivered back to back singled to get things going. Grant Desme continued his hitting streak with a two run double to left. Desme later scored on an RBI single by Brad Emaus and the Dog increased their lead to 7-2.

The Rafters began their comeback in the eighth inning as Jeff Bianchi led off with a single to left. Ike Davis drew a walk to follow, giving Surprise runners on first and second. Mitchell Moreland then struck an RBI double to score Bianchi and pull Surprise to within four runs of the lead.

The Surprise rally continued into the ninth inning. Tyler Henley doubled to left to lead off the inning. Marcus Lemon followed with a single, moving Henley to third and putting runners on the corners. Jeff Bianchi then cleared the bases with a three run homer off Matt Gorgen to pull the Rafters to within a run of the lead. But Sam Demel recorded the final two outs of the game to give the Desert Dogs a 7-6 win.

Steven Strasburg earned the win, his second of the season, allowing 1 run in 4 1/3 innings. Sam Demel picked up the save, his first of the season. Matt Harrison was the losing pitcher for Surprise.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Grant Desme; increased his hitting streak to 10 games by going 1 for 2 with double, 2 walks, 2 RBI’s and 3 runs scored.

Rays Organization Stats:
Shawn O’Malley; 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Paul Phillips; 1 IP, 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 K and 1 walk.
Matt Gorgen; 1/3 IP, 3 runs on 3 hits, 1 walk, 1 K and 1 home run.

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs travel to Peoria to play the Javelinas on Wednesday at Peoria Sports Complex. Mitch Talbot (1-0, 5.40) will be on the mound for the Desert Dogs facing Josh Butler (2-0, 11.57) for the Javelinas.

Nevin Ashley Walk-Off Grand Slam Lifts Phoenix Desert Dogs over Mesa Solar Sox

The Game: A walk off grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning by Nevin Ashley was all the Desert Dogs needed to defeat the Mesa Solar Sox 9-5 on Monday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The Desert Dogs took the lead in the first inning, striking for three runs. Danny Espinosa drew a walk and Brandon Snyder followed with a single to put two men on base. Then Grant Desme continued his hot steak at the plate with a three run homer to put Phoenix ahead 3-0.

Mesa fought back in the second inning to pull within a run of the lead. Hank Conger doubled to right to lead off the inning. Steve Singleton followed with an RBI single to score Conger. Singleton later scored on an RBI single by PJ Phillips and the Solar Sox trailed by one, 3-2.

The Solar Sox tied the game in the fourth inning. Steve Singleton got things started with a single to center. PJ Phillips drove home his second run of the game with a single to center that scored Singleton and tied the game 3-3.

But the game did not stayed tied long as the Desert Dogs drove home two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Back to back RBI triples by Corey Brown and Jemile Weeks pushed across two more runs and the Desert Dogs regained the lead 5-3.

Mesa battled back to collect a run in the fifth and another in the ninth to tie the game once again. Hank Conger drove home Starlin Castro in the fifth. Then in the ninth, Bryan Peterson doubled to right to lead off the inning. Chris Parmelee later followed with an RBI single to score Peterson and tie the game 5-5.

But patience at the plate paid off for the Desert Dogs in the bottom of the ninth. Josh Bell singled to left to get things going. Then two consecutive walks to Cory Brown and Jemile Weeks loaded the bases. They would not stay loaded long as Nevin Ashley delivered a walk-off grand slam, winning the game for Phoenix 9-5.

Drew Storen was the winning pitcher for Phoenix, improving to 1-0 on the fall. Dustin Richardson was the losing pitcher for Mesa.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Nevin Ashley; game winning grand slam.

Rays Organization Stats:
Nevin Ashley; 1-3 at the plate with only hit was a grand slam, struck out once

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs will face the Surprise Rafters on Tuesday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Steven Strasburg (1-1, 10.50) will get the start for Phoenix facing Danny Gutierrez (2-0, 0.00) for Surprise.

Dominican Winter League Recap from 10/25

Gigantes 13, Estrellas 5
Julio DePaula (Gigantes); 1/3 no-hit inning

Venezuelan Winter League Recap from 10/25

Margarita 3, Aragua 1 (Game One)
Ray Olmedo (Margarita); 0 for 4 with a strikeout.

Aragua 6, Margarita 2 (Game Two)
Ray Olmedo (Margarita); 0 for 3 with a strikeout.

Caracas 7, Caribes 4
Jose Lobaton (Caracas); 2 for 4 with a double, RBI and a run scored, struck out once.

Oh, The Places They'll Go

Here's an early, early look at the 2010 affiliate rosters. It's tough to tell which guys will be let go or signed as minor-league free agents at this point, so I've only included prospects and fringe-prospects, meaning some positions aren't listed.

Durham Bulls
Catcher: John Jaso or Jose Lobaton - Both are on the 40-man roster, but neither figures to make Tampa Bay's roster.
Second base: Elliot Johnson
Shortstop: Reid Brignac - Rays will probably look to move either Brignac or Bartlett in the off-season.
Left Field: Justin Ruggiano
Centerfield: Desmond Jennings - If he hits as well as he did in 2009, he won't be in Durham for long.

Pitchers: Jeremy Hellickson and Heath Rollins

Notable absences: Sean Rodriguez, Matt Joyce, and Wade Davis all have inside tracks toward major-league jobs, while Mitch Talbot is out of options.

Montgomery Biscuits
Catcher: Nevin Ashley
Corner infield: Matt Sweeney
Middle infield: Shawn O'Malley - He's seen time at both SS and 2B in the Arizona Fall League, could play both in 2010 with the Biscuits.
Utility: Cody Cipriano - Ended the 2009 season in Montgomery; has worked as an infielder and outfielder.

Pitchers: Jake McGee, David Newmann, Alex Cobb, Alex Torres, Aneury Rodriguez, and Matt Gorgen

Charlotte Stone Crabs
Catcher: Jake Jefferies
First Base: Mike Sheridan - Tough 2009 season, but should get the promotion.
Shortstop: Tim Beckham - The next step up.
Outfield: Kyeong Kang - Finished the 2009 season very strongly; a big 2010 would establish himself as a real prospect.

Pitchers: Matt Moore, Nick Barnese, Joseph Cruz, Shane Dyer, Chris Andujar, Marquis Fleming

Bowling Green Hot Rods
Shortstop: Tyler Bortnick
Outfield: Brett Nommensen and Chris Murrill

Pitchers: Kyle Lobstein, Alex Colome, Jason McEachern, Zach Quate, Scott Shuman


As you can tell, it gets murkier the lower down you go. Projecting the short-seasons would be nearly impossible, as much of that depends on how players perform in extended spring training. Durham looks to be a relatively unexciting team prospect-wise outside of Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson, but the complement of veteran players should make for another relatively successful season. Jennings and Hellickson are on track for major-league roles by the end of the season, so the Durham roster could be pretty barren late in the year.

Montgomery really lacked in the prospect department when Jennings and Hellickson were promoted to Durham, but they should inherit much of the Charlotte Stone Crabs' 2009 pitching staff that got the Crabs within a game of winning the Florida State title. Jake McGee could skip over Montgomery and slide into Durham's bullpen with a strong spring. Even without McGee, the pitching of Alex Cobb, Alex Torres, David Newmann, and Aneury Rodriguez along with Matt Gorgen and Marquis Fleming in the bullpen should be strong. Rodriguez would be first in line for a promotion to Durham if he pitches well.

The Stone Crabs should have plenty in terms of "name" prospects, but that didn't necessarily equate to wins with Bowling Green last season. Matt Moore will headline the rotation while Nick Barnese will look to stay healthy for the season. Tim Beckham has a chance to quiet some of the critics, while Kyeong Kang could be primed for a breakout season.

Bowling Green should have a strong starting rotation for the second straight year. Kyle Lobstein and Alex Colome will certainly make the jump to full-season ball, but it remains to be seen how cautious the Rays will be with him. Unfortunately for the Hot Rods, they don't look to have the same caliber of hitting prospects that they had in 2009 with Beckham, Kang, etc. Zach Quate and Scott Shuman each had strong seasons of the bullpen in short-season ball in 2009. Quate could follow in Gorgen's footsteps and be skipped over low-A, while the reports on Shuman are positive enough that he could make the leap from Princeton to Bowling Green.

Projecting rosters is a wholly inexact science. If there's any players in particular you'd like to go more in-depth about, don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Dominican Winter League Recap from 10/24

Licey 5, Estrellas 1
Henry Mateo (Estrellas); pinch ran in the ninth, caught stealing on a pickoff

Venezuelan Winter League Recap from 10/24

Margarita 6, La Guaira 2
Ray Olmedo (Margarita); 2 for 5

Caracas 9, Magallanes 0
Joe Bateman (Caracas); 2 IP, 0 runs, 1 hit and a strikeout
Carlos Hernandez (Magallanes); 4.1 IP, 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks, charged with the loss 0-1 on the season.

Phoenix Desert Dogs defeat Scottsdale Scorpions 7-3

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs took over sole possession of first place with a 7-3 win over the Scottsdale Scorpions on Saturday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Scottsdale took the lead early, striking for two runs in the first inning. Pedro Ciriaco led off the inning with a single to center. Ciriaco advanced to second on a steal and then to third on a single by Jose Tabata. Dominic Brown delivered a sac fly to score Ciriaco and put the Scorpions on the board. Then Brandon Allen struck an RBI double to right, scoring Tabata and giving the Scorpions a 2-0 lead.

The Desert Dogs rallied with two outs in the fifth inning to take the lead. Corey Brown and Brad Emaus got the rally started with back to back singles. Then AJ Jimenez delivered an RBI single to score Brown and advance Emaus to second. Matt Angle followed with an RBI single that scored Emaus. Danny Espinosa drew a walk to load the bases for Phoenix. Chris Marrero hit a single to left that scored Jimenez and Angle. Josh Bell then reached on an error to reload the bases for the Desert Dogs. Brandon Waring drew a bases loaded walk to push across the fifth run of the inning and give Phoenix a 5-2 lead.

Phoenix added two more runs in the seventh inning. Matt Angle and Danny Espinosa led off the inning with back to back singles. Angle then stole third base to put runners on the corners. Chris Marrero drew a walk to load the bases. Brandon Warning then followed with a two run double to score Angle and Espinosa, increasing the Desert Dogs lead to 7-2.

Scottsdale added another run to their tally in the eighth inning. Brandon Allen singled to left to put a runner onboard. Then Buster Posey hit an RBI double to right, scoring Allen. But they could not produce any more runs and the Desert Dogs held on to win 7-3.

Ryohei Tanaka picked up the win for Phoenix, his first of the fall. Cesar Valdez suffered the loss for Scottsdale.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Matt Angle; 3 for 5 with an RBI, 2 runs scored and a stolen base.

Rays Organization Stats:
Heath Rollins; picked up his first hold of the fall, pitching 1 inning and allowing only 1 hit.
Matt Gorgen; pitched 1 no hit inning, striking out 2 of the 3 batters faced.

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs and the rest of the Arizona Fall League are off on Sunday. Phoenix resumes play on Monday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium against the Mesa Solar Sox (4-7). Robert Ray (0-0, 3.00) will be on the mound for Phoenix facing Mike McCardell (0-0, 3.60) for Mesa.

Dominican Winter League Recap from 10/23

Estrellas 7, Licey 0
Henry Mateo; 0 for 1

Escogido 3, Gigantes 2
Julio DePaula; 2.0 IP, 0 runs, 1 hit, 3 K's in earning the victory (1-0)

Venezuelan Winter League Recap from 10/23

Margarita 5, La Guaira 4
Ray Olmedo; 2 for 5 with a run scored and 2 K's.

Caracas 9, Zulia 3
Jose Lobaton; 1 for 1
Calvin Medlock; 1 2/3 IP with 1 K earning a hold

Phoenix Desert Dogs fall to Surprise Rafters 15-12

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs were on the losing end of a slugfest against the Surprise Rafters, with the Rafters holding on for a 15-12 win on Friday night at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Both clubs combined for thirty hits including four home runs. With the loss, the Desert Dogs fell to 6-4 and are tied for first in the Arizona Fall League Eastern Division.

The Desert Dogs took the lead in the home half of the first inning. Matt Angle singled to center to lead off the inning. Angle later advanced to second on a stolen base an then to third on a ground out by Shawn O'Malley. Brandon Snyder drove home Angle with a ground ball to third and the Desert Dogs took a 1-0 lead.

Surprise battled back in the top of the second inning. Brandon Laird singled to third to lead off then inning. Colin Curtis followed with an RBI double to center to tie the game. Then Jeff Bianchi tripled to right, scoring Curtis and giving the Rafters a 2-1 lead.

Phoenix answered back in the bottom of the second inning. Grant Desme singled to left and then later scored on an RBI triple by Jemile Weeks to tie the game 2-2. The Desert Dogs regained the lead in the third when Matt Angle drew a walk to lead off the inning. Angle then stole second and later advanced to third on a sac bunt by Shawn O’Malley. Brandon Snyder then drove home Angle to give the Desert Dogs a 3-2 lead.

The Rafters nodded things up again in the fifth inning. Daryl Jones went deep with a solo home run to right center, tying the game at 3-3. Surprise increased their lead in the sixth inning, striking for three more runs. Daniel Descalso drew a walk to start the inning and then advanced to second on a ground out by Mike Moustakas. Mitchell Moreland then drew a walk. Both runners advanced into scoring position on a balk by Justin Friend. Brandon Laird followed with a two run double to score Descalso and Moreland. Laird later scored on an RBI single by Colin Curtis and Surprise now held a 6-3 lead.

Then came the seventh inning, the inning where both teams struck for a combined sixteen runs. The Rafters got things going in the top of the seventh by posting their eight runs to the scoreboard. Daryl Jones doubled to right to lead off the inning. Daniel Descalso reached on an error allowing Jones to score. Mike Moustakas followed with a single to right, moving Descalso to second. Then Mitchell Moreland delivered an RBI single to right, scoring Descalso. Brandon Laird cleared the bases with a three run homer off Mickey Storney. The bases did not remain empty long as Colin Curtis singled and Jeff Bianchi double to put two more runners in scoring position. Bryan Anderson followed with an RBI single to score Curtis. Then Daryl Jones drove in another run with his second double of the inning, scoring Bianchi and moving Anderson to third increasing the Surprise lead to 14-3.

Phoenix matched with an eight run inning of their own in the bottom of the seventh. Nevin Ashley homer to left to lead off the inning for the Desert Dogs. Matt Angle and Shawn O’Malley followed with back to back singles, leaving runners on the corners. Brandon Snyder drew a walk to load the bases for the Desert Dogs. Chris Marrero grounds into a force out, scoring Angle but losing O’Malley at third on the force. Grant Desme then drew a walk to reload the bases. Josh Bell drove home two runs with a line drive to center, scoring Desme and Bell. Nevin Ashley the delivers an RBI single to center, scoring Brown. Matt Angle follows with a single to right, moving Ashley to third. Shawn O’Malley strikes for an RBI single, scoring his Stone Crabs teammate Ashley and pulling the Desert Dogs to within three runs of the lead 14-11.

Surprise added an insurance run in the eighth inning. Mike Moustakas drew a walk and Mitchell Moreland was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Colin Curtis then drew a walk to load the bases. Jeff Bianchi delivered a sac fly to score Moustakas and increase the Rafters lead 15-11.

The Desert Dogs posted another run to the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth inning on a solo home run by Grant Desme. But its wasn’t enough as the Desert Dogs fell 15-12.

Justin Friend suffered the loss, dropping to 2-1 on the season. Matt Harrison earned the victory and Grant Duff the save for the Rafters.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Grant Desme; went 3 for 4 with a home run, RBI and 3 runs scored.

Rays Organization Stats:
Shawn O’Malley; 3 for 4 with an RBI.
Nevin Ashley; 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored.

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs will face the Scottsdale Scorpions on Saturday evening at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Brandon Erbe (0-0, 0.00) is scheduled to face Joe Martinez (1-0, 1.50).

Now Taking Requests

There isn't a whole lot happening right now, so I turn it over to you guys: What do you want to see on this site? We'll have our top 15 hitters and pitchers starting in mid-November after the Arizona Fall League, but until then, it's kind of a blank slate. So please, anything you want to see written about, let us know in the comments and we'll see what we can do.