I know, I know. This is a big day in the National League East. The Philadelphia Phillies dismantled the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series, in the Bronx, against C.C. Sabathia. The same pitcher they dismantled last year when he pitched for the Brewers. It begs the question, is the National League East the best division in baseball? Admittedly, it is early, and the Yankees could win four in a row and make this post irrelevant, but if you compare the division to the American League East, tell me that the teams do not match up? The Phillies and the Yankees, the Mets and the Red Sox, the Marlins and Rays, the Braves and Blue Jays, and the Nationals and Orioles. I guess that is a post for another time, but it will be an interesting off season argument.

Now on to the AFL:

The Phoenix Desert Dogs (Nationals) defeated the Peoria Javelinas 11-6 yesterday. The only Desert Dog from the National League East who saw any action was Drew Storen who pitched one inning giving up one hit and striking out a batter.

The Mesa Solar Sox (Marlins) routed the Scottsdale Scorpions (Phillies) by a final count of 12-5. Bryan Petersen led the way for the Solar Sox with a 2-5 effort, scoring two runs, driving in two and hitting a homerun. Steve Susdorf tried to keep the Scorpions close with a 2 run homerun in a 1-2 effort but Domonic Brown (0-5, 2K) and Edgar Garcia (2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER (4R)) failed to help him out.

Steve Susdorf, Scorpions

Future stars of the National League East keep bowing out of the AFL as the Marlins shut down Mike Stanton due to a sore back. Prior to this, Stanton was hitting a scorching .478 for the Solar Sox. The Marlins do expect Stanton to be ready for Spring Training.

Mike Stanton, Solar Sox

Lastly, the Peoria Saguaros (Braves) blanked the Surprise Rafters (Mets) 9-0. Freddie Freeman (3-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and Brandon Hicks (2-4, 1 3B, 1 RBI, 1 BB) led the hit parade while Jeff Lyman (1 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K) and Lee Hyde (1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) helped to keep the Rafters off the scoreboard. The Rafters received a 2-4 day from Reese Havens and a 1-4 from Ruben Tejada.

 

 

  Todays actions will see the Phoenix Desert Dogs take on the Peoria Saguaros. The Mesa Solar Sox will give Andrew Miller the start against the Javelinas, and the Rafters will take on the Scorpions.

Another day full of exciting Winter League Baseball out in Arizona:

The Peoria Saguaros (Atlanta Braves) edged the Mesa Solar Sox (Florida Marlins) breaking a 5 all tie in the ninth to win 6-5. Contributors in the Peoria victory included Freddie Freeman who went 2-4 with a homerun, a RBI, and 2 runs scored and Brandon Hicks, who went 0-1 with 3          

Freddie Freeman, Peoria Saguaros

walks. In the loss, the Mesa Solar Sox had Matt Dominguez go 0-4 with three strikeouts. Greg burns, 2-4, 1R; Garrett Parcell, 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB; and Jay Buente, 1 IP, 2K, 0 ER, 0 BB, all helped to keep the Mesa Solar Sox close, but Jay Voss blew the save with 1 IP, 2 H, 1ER and 1 BB.          

Unfortunately for the Atlanta Braves, all the news was not good news. The Braves learned that Jason Heyward, a candidate to be in the starting outfield for the Braves in 2010, will miss the rest of the Arizona Fall League due to discomfort where his hamstring meets his gluteus muscles.

Stephen Strasburg, Phoenix Desert Dogs

The Phoenix Desert Dogs (Washington Nationals) got 4.1 strong innings from Stephen Strasburg, including 4 no-hit innings, to defeat the Surprise Rafters (New York Mets) 7-6. Strasburg’s final line was W, 4.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K. Other Nationals contributing to the Desert Dogs victory included Josh Wilkie who pitched 1.2 innings in relief of Strasburg yielding 2 hits, no earned runs (1R), and striking out 2. Danny Espinosa went 2-4 with a double and a run scored. Chris Marrero was 1-4 on the afternoon with a run scored and Sean Rooney went 0-3 with a strikeout. The only New York Met to take the field for the Surprise Rafters was Ike Davis who went 0-4 with a walk.

Lastly, the Peoria Javelinas defeated the Scottsdale Scorpions (Philadelphia Phillies) by a final count of 10-9. Michael Cisco got the start for the Scorpions and did not pitch badly. He went 3 innings while giving up only 2 hits, 2 walks, striking out 2 and yielding no earned runs (2 R). Scott Mathieson appeared later in the game and pitched equally well, with a final line of 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 3 K. Domonic Brown went 2-5 in a losing effort.

In today’s action, the Surprise Rafters take on the Peoria Saguaros while the Phoenix Desert Dogs play the Peoria Javelinas. The Scottsdale Scorpions battle the Mesa Solar Sox.

The Arizona Fall League marches on and NL East Chatter will try and do a better job of keeping you up to date on the happenings of this minor league proving ground.

Here is a recap of yesterday’s action:                                                                                                                                                                                   

The Phoenix Desert Dogs broke the hearts of the Mesa Solar Sox 9 to 5 after scoring four runs in the ninth inning thanks to a Nevin Ashley (Tampa Bay Rays) grandslam. Notable NL East contributors included, from the Mesa Solar Sox (Florida Marlins): Bryan Petersen, 1-5, 2B, 1R

Bryan Petersen, OF, Mesa Solar Sox

and from the Phoenix Desert Dogs (Washington Nationals): Danny Espinosa, 0-3, 1R; Chris Marrero, 0-4; Drew Storen, 1 W (1 BS), 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER.

The Surpise Rafters (New York Mets) lost a pitching duel against the Peoria Javelinas by a final count of 2-1. Notable NL East contributors were Ike Davis, 1-4; Ruben Tejada, 2-3, 1 SB; and Jenrry Mejia, L, 3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

Lastly, the Peoria Saguaros (Atlanta Braves) crushed the Scottsdale Scorpions (Philadelphia Phillies) 10-2. Lee Hyde contributed to the Saguaros victory by pitching 1 inning of scoreless baseball and yielding only 1 hit. Domonic Brown went 2-3 with a triple and 2 RBI in the loss. Tuffy Gosewich also contributed a 1-3 afternoon in a losing effort. Michael Schwimer threw gasoline on an established blaze by pitching 1 inning, yielding 3 hits (1 HR), 3 earned runs (4 R) and walking two batters.

All teams are in action today as the Mesa Solar Sox take on the Peoria Saguaros, the Surprise Rafters battle the Phoenix Desert Dogs and starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, and the Scottsdale Scorpions send Michael Cisco to the hill to take on the Peoria Javelinas.    

The National League East has transplanted west in the sunshine of Arizona for the moment, except of course for the Philadelphia Phillies who are still alive in the playoffs. Here is a statistical recap of the players the National League East sent to the Arizona Fall League:

Phoenix Desert Dogs:
(featuring the Washington Nationals)                                                                                                      

Danny Espinosa, 2B: .200 AVG; 2 R; 4 RBI; 2 BB; 2 K; 1 SB
Chris Marrero, 1B: .429 AVG; 1 R; 1 2B; 1 HR; 2 RBI; 3 BB; 1 K
Stephen Strasburg, P: 1 W; 3.1 IP; 2 H; 1 BB; 2 K; 0 ER
Drew Storen, P: 2.0 IP; 4 H; 2 R; 0 ER; 0 BB; 2 K
Jeff Mandel, P: 1 IP; 1 H; 0 ER; 0 BB; 0 K
Josh Wilkie, P: 1 IP; 3 H; 4 R; 0 ER; 2 BB; 2 K
Sean Rooney: Has Not Played

Surprise Rafters:
(featuring the New York Mets)

Lucas Duda, OF: .400 AVG; 1 2B; 1 R; 2 RBI, 1 BB                                                                                       
Ruben Tejada, SS: .385 AVG; 1 2B; 5 R; 3 RBI; 1 BB; 3 K; 2 SB
Ike Davis, 1B: .357 AVG; 2 2B; 2 R; 8 RBI; 1 HR; 0 BB; 4 K
Reese Havens, SS: .000 AVG; 1 BB; 3 K
Josh Stinson, P: 2 IP; 2 H, 2 ER; 1 HR Allowed; 2 BB, 1 K
Scott Moviel, P: 1 W; 2 IP; 0 H; 0 ER; 1 HB; 3 BB; 0 K
Jenrry Mejia, P: 1.0 IP; 1 H; 3 ER; 3 BB; 1 K
Eric Niesen, P: 1 IP; 0 ER; 0 H; 0 BB; 0 K

Mesa Solar Sox
(featuring the Florida Marlins):

Mike Stanton, OF: .533 AVG; 2 R; 2 RBI; 1 HR; 2 BB; 6 K; 3 SB                                                          
Bryan Petersen, OF: .400 AVG; 3 R; 2 2B; 1 RBI; 1 HR; 0 BB; 1 K
Matt Dominguez, 3B: .154 AVG; 2 R; 0 RBI; 0 BB; 3 K
Greg Burns, OF: .000 AVG; 2 BB; 1 K
Andrew Miller, P: 2 IP; 1 H; 1 ER; 3 BB; 2 K
Jay Voss, P: 2 IP; 2 H; 3 ER; 1 HR Allowed; 2 BB; 3 K
Garrett Parcell, P: 1.2 IP; 5 H; 3 R; 0 ER; 0 BB; 3 K
Jay Buente, P: 1 IP; 2 H; 2 R; 1 ER; 0 BB; 0 K

Peoria Saguaros:
(featuring the Atlanta Braves):

Jason Heyward, RF: .286 AVG; 3 R; 3 2B; 1 RBI; 2 BB; 1 K; 2 SB
Brandon Hicks, SS: .231 AVG; 1 R; 0 BB; 3 K
Freddie Freeman, 1B: .143 AVG; 0 R; 0 RBI; 2 BB; 3 K                                                                                                     
Jeff Lyman, P: 0-1; 2.1 IP; 6 H; 6 ER; 2 HR Allowed; 4 BB; 2 K
Mike Minor, P: 2.0 IP; 1 H, 1 R; 0 ER; 2 BB: 0 K
Lee Hyde, P: 2.0 IP; 1 H; 0 R; 1 BB; 4 K

Scottsdale Scorpions
(featuring the Philadelphia Phillies):

Tuffy Gosewisch, C: .444 AVG; 0 R; 0 RBI; 0 BB; 3 K
Domonic Brown, OF: .300 AVG; 2 R; 3 2B; 4 RBI; 1 HR; 4 BB; 3 K
Steve Susdorf, OF: .077 AVG; 1 R; 1 RBI; 1 HR; 1 BB; 2 K
Troy Hanzawa, SS: .000 AVG; 1 R; 1 BB; 1 K
Edgar Garcia, P: 1-1; 4.0 IP; 4H; 4 R; 3 ER; 3 BB; 4 K                                                                                                 
Michael Cisco, P: 2 IP; 1 H; 0 ER; 2 BB; 3 K
Michael Schwimer, P: 2.0 IP; 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Scott Mathieson, P: 2 IP; 0 H; 0 ER; 0 BB; 2 K