Monday, November 15, 2004
Arizona Fall League game notes - OurSports CentralNovember 15, 2004 - MONDAY'S GAMES: The Arizona Fall league's 13th season continues with a triple-header. The Solar Sox host the Javelinas, the Desert Dogs travel to Peoria to face the Saguaros and the Scorpions host the Rafters at Scottsdale Stadium....first pitch for all three games is 1:05 p.m. Each team will play 38 games and the winners of the two divisions will meet in a one-game championship on November 20th at Scottsdale Stadium.
Mike Piazza Autographed Jersey Auction: MLB.com is hosting an online auction and the proceeds will be contributed in Dernell Stenson's name to the recipient of the Sportsmanship award winner's favorite charity. This year, the AFL has donated a one-of-a-kind AFL jersey worn by Mike Piazza in 1993 and later autographed by the Met's All-Star catcher.
Q & A: Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Freddy Sanchez will be answering your questions on MLB.com. Log on to the website today and send in your questions then stay tuned for their responses.
SATURDAY'S RECAPS
Top Dogs: The Mesa Solar Sox had their chances to beat the Phoenix Desert Dogs Saturday, but left 11 runners on base in a 6-2 loss. Down 4-2 in the seventh inning, the Solar Sox had their first two hitters reach base but did not push across a run. Phoenix leadoff hitter Chris Roberson (PHI) was 2-for-5 in the win. Roberson tied the game in the top of the third on a solo home run down the left field line. Jeremy Brown (OAK) added a two-run home run. Three insurance runs in the late innings sealed the win for the Desert Dogs.
Spoilers: Four runs scored on six consecutive walks, followed by a RBI sac-fly to give the Javelinas a 8-6 win. Padres' prospect Paul McAnulty and Expos' prospect Shawn Norris led the Javelinas offense with two hits apiece. Padres pitching prospects Wilmer Villatoro and R.D. Sphiehs were solid on the mound holding the Rafters to one run in four combined innings. Villatoro earned his first win and Spiehs was credited with his second save.
All Tied Up: In a battle for the playoffs, the Scorpions and Saguaros ended in a 2-2 tie Saturday at Peoria Sports Complex. Scottsdale jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a RBI-single by Anthony Gwynn Jr. (MIL) in the third inning and a solo shot off the bat of Corey Myers (AZ) in the fourth inning. The Saguaros got on board in the fifth inning when Sheldon Fulse (BOS) drove in Vito Chiaravalloti (TOR) and tied the game in the eighth inning on a RBI-double by Ian Kinsler (TEX). In an effort to preserve each teams bullpen, the Arizona Fall League suspends games after 11 innings of play.
Dolan on MLB.com Radio: Today Brett Dolan will call the action of the Desert Dogs-Saguaros game at Peoria Sports Complex. The game will be heard live 1:05 pm (MST) on MLB.com.
MLB.com: Log on to MLB.com for the latest news on the Arizona Fall League. Click on the Minors tab to access the Fall League website where you will find player journals, stories and more. You can sign up for an Arizona Fall League weekly newsletter emailed directly to your inbox.
Hall of Fame: The Arizona Fall League continues its tradition of honoring former player and managers by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. This years inductees are Garret Anderson (Rafters), Albert Pujols (Scorpions) and Tony Peña Sr. (Saguaros). Anderson's ceremony (10/29) and Peña's ceremony (11/3) were both completed at Scottsdale Stadium. The ceremony for Albert Pujols will be postponed until the 2005 Arizona Fall League season. Due to Pujols' extended season participating in the World Series and his prior commitment to the Nike Tour, there was not sufficient time to schedule for the 2004 AFL season. We look forward to honoring him next year.
Championship Game: The winner of the National Division and the American Division will face off for a one game playoff to determine the 2004 AFL Championship. The Championship game will be played at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, November 20th at 1:05 pm. The winner of the Joe Black MVP Award will be presented in a pre-game ceremony.
Promotion Corner: Saturday, November 20th the Arizona Fall League will be giving fans a chance to win autographed baseball's from the AFL class of 1994. Autographs include: Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra, Mark Grudzielanek, Joe Randa, Bobby Higginson, Brian Giles, Phil Nevin, Trot Nixon and Jason Kendall. All fans in attendance will have an equal chance of winning. Winner's will be selected via lucky numbers.
Sportsmanship Award: MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, and the Arizona Fall League (AFL), regarded throughout professional baseball as the "graduate school" for Major League Baseball's top prospects, announced Wednesday, November 3rd the creation of the Dernell Stenson AFL Sportsmanship Award.
This new annual award, named for Dernell Stenson, a 2003 player in the AFL who was tragically killed, will be given to the AFL player who demonstrates the qualities that Dernell brought to the ball park every day; a quiet, hard-nosed attitude, a player who does his job without complaint, who - as many who played with Dernell said - played the game the way it was meant to be played.
The managers, coaches and players from each of the six AFL teams will nominate one player each year. The AFL, in conjunction with MLB.com will then select a winner from the six nominees. The winner will be presented with a commemorative plaque in a special on-field presentation on November 18th, the final day of the AFL regular season.
MLB.com will also host an online auction later this month and the proceeds will be contributed in Dernell Stenson's name to the award winner's favorite charity. This year, the AFL has donated a one-of-a-kind AFL jersey worn by Mike Piazza in 1993 and later autographed by the Met's All-Star catcher.
"Dernell's death was a very difficult situation for the league," said Steve Cobb, Executive Vice President of the Arizona Fall League. "We suffered a tremendous loss but we came together as a family last year. At this point, we want to remember the contributions Dernell Stenson made to this league, in his work ethic and his dedication to the game. We think this is a fitting way to remember Dernell and we are pleased to work hand-in-hand with MLB.com to make this happen."
STANDINGS
American Division W L GB National Division W L GB
Scorpions 18 14 - Desert Dogs 20 12 -
Saguaros 16 14 1.0 Rafters 16 15 3.5
Solar Sox 12 20 6.0 Javelinas 13 20 7.5
TODAY'S GAMES
Javelinas @ Solar Sox 1:05 p.m. LHP Richard Stahl (0-2) vs. RHP Brad Thompson (0-0)
Desert Dogs @ Saguaros 1:05 p.m. RHP Keith Bucktrot (1-1) vs. LHP Kason Gabbard (1-1)
Rafters @ Scorpions 1:05 p.m. LHP Macay McBride (0-0) vs. LHP Jeff Housman (0-1)
TUESDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS
Solar Sox @ Javelinas 1:05 p.m. RHP Zach McClellan (1-0) vs. RHP Chris Oxspring (1-2)
Saguaros @ Desert Dogs 1:05 p.m. RHP John Hudgins (1-1) vs. RHP Jeff Fulchino (0-0)
Scorpions @ Rafters 1:05 p.m. RHP Dennis Sarfate (0-4) vs. RHP Zach Miner (2-1)
Mike Piazza Autographed Jersey Auction: MLB.com is hosting an online auction and the proceeds will be contributed in Dernell Stenson's name to the recipient of the Sportsmanship award winner's favorite charity. This year, the AFL has donated a one-of-a-kind AFL jersey worn by Mike Piazza in 1993 and later autographed by the Met's All-Star catcher.
Q & A: Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Freddy Sanchez will be answering your questions on MLB.com. Log on to the website today and send in your questions then stay tuned for their responses.
SATURDAY'S RECAPS
Top Dogs: The Mesa Solar Sox had their chances to beat the Phoenix Desert Dogs Saturday, but left 11 runners on base in a 6-2 loss. Down 4-2 in the seventh inning, the Solar Sox had their first two hitters reach base but did not push across a run. Phoenix leadoff hitter Chris Roberson (PHI) was 2-for-5 in the win. Roberson tied the game in the top of the third on a solo home run down the left field line. Jeremy Brown (OAK) added a two-run home run. Three insurance runs in the late innings sealed the win for the Desert Dogs.
Spoilers: Four runs scored on six consecutive walks, followed by a RBI sac-fly to give the Javelinas a 8-6 win. Padres' prospect Paul McAnulty and Expos' prospect Shawn Norris led the Javelinas offense with two hits apiece. Padres pitching prospects Wilmer Villatoro and R.D. Sphiehs were solid on the mound holding the Rafters to one run in four combined innings. Villatoro earned his first win and Spiehs was credited with his second save.
All Tied Up: In a battle for the playoffs, the Scorpions and Saguaros ended in a 2-2 tie Saturday at Peoria Sports Complex. Scottsdale jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a RBI-single by Anthony Gwynn Jr. (MIL) in the third inning and a solo shot off the bat of Corey Myers (AZ) in the fourth inning. The Saguaros got on board in the fifth inning when Sheldon Fulse (BOS) drove in Vito Chiaravalloti (TOR) and tied the game in the eighth inning on a RBI-double by Ian Kinsler (TEX). In an effort to preserve each teams bullpen, the Arizona Fall League suspends games after 11 innings of play.
Dolan on MLB.com Radio: Today Brett Dolan will call the action of the Desert Dogs-Saguaros game at Peoria Sports Complex. The game will be heard live 1:05 pm (MST) on MLB.com.
MLB.com: Log on to MLB.com for the latest news on the Arizona Fall League. Click on the Minors tab to access the Fall League website where you will find player journals, stories and more. You can sign up for an Arizona Fall League weekly newsletter emailed directly to your inbox.
Hall of Fame: The Arizona Fall League continues its tradition of honoring former player and managers by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. This years inductees are Garret Anderson (Rafters), Albert Pujols (Scorpions) and Tony Peña Sr. (Saguaros). Anderson's ceremony (10/29) and Peña's ceremony (11/3) were both completed at Scottsdale Stadium. The ceremony for Albert Pujols will be postponed until the 2005 Arizona Fall League season. Due to Pujols' extended season participating in the World Series and his prior commitment to the Nike Tour, there was not sufficient time to schedule for the 2004 AFL season. We look forward to honoring him next year.
Championship Game: The winner of the National Division and the American Division will face off for a one game playoff to determine the 2004 AFL Championship. The Championship game will be played at Scottsdale Stadium on Saturday, November 20th at 1:05 pm. The winner of the Joe Black MVP Award will be presented in a pre-game ceremony.
Promotion Corner: Saturday, November 20th the Arizona Fall League will be giving fans a chance to win autographed baseball's from the AFL class of 1994. Autographs include: Jason Giambi, Nomar Garciaparra, Mark Grudzielanek, Joe Randa, Bobby Higginson, Brian Giles, Phil Nevin, Trot Nixon and Jason Kendall. All fans in attendance will have an equal chance of winning. Winner's will be selected via lucky numbers.
Sportsmanship Award: MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, and the Arizona Fall League (AFL), regarded throughout professional baseball as the "graduate school" for Major League Baseball's top prospects, announced Wednesday, November 3rd the creation of the Dernell Stenson AFL Sportsmanship Award.
This new annual award, named for Dernell Stenson, a 2003 player in the AFL who was tragically killed, will be given to the AFL player who demonstrates the qualities that Dernell brought to the ball park every day; a quiet, hard-nosed attitude, a player who does his job without complaint, who - as many who played with Dernell said - played the game the way it was meant to be played.
The managers, coaches and players from each of the six AFL teams will nominate one player each year. The AFL, in conjunction with MLB.com will then select a winner from the six nominees. The winner will be presented with a commemorative plaque in a special on-field presentation on November 18th, the final day of the AFL regular season.
MLB.com will also host an online auction later this month and the proceeds will be contributed in Dernell Stenson's name to the award winner's favorite charity. This year, the AFL has donated a one-of-a-kind AFL jersey worn by Mike Piazza in 1993 and later autographed by the Met's All-Star catcher.
"Dernell's death was a very difficult situation for the league," said Steve Cobb, Executive Vice President of the Arizona Fall League. "We suffered a tremendous loss but we came together as a family last year. At this point, we want to remember the contributions Dernell Stenson made to this league, in his work ethic and his dedication to the game. We think this is a fitting way to remember Dernell and we are pleased to work hand-in-hand with MLB.com to make this happen."
STANDINGS
American Division W L GB National Division W L GB
Scorpions 18 14 - Desert Dogs 20 12 -
Saguaros 16 14 1.0 Rafters 16 15 3.5
Solar Sox 12 20 6.0 Javelinas 13 20 7.5
TODAY'S GAMES
Javelinas @ Solar Sox 1:05 p.m. LHP Richard Stahl (0-2) vs. RHP Brad Thompson (0-0)
Desert Dogs @ Saguaros 1:05 p.m. RHP Keith Bucktrot (1-1) vs. LHP Kason Gabbard (1-1)
Rafters @ Scorpions 1:05 p.m. LHP Macay McBride (0-0) vs. LHP Jeff Housman (0-1)
TUESDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS
Solar Sox @ Javelinas 1:05 p.m. RHP Zach McClellan (1-0) vs. RHP Chris Oxspring (1-2)
Saguaros @ Desert Dogs 1:05 p.m. RHP John Hudgins (1-1) vs. RHP Jeff Fulchino (0-0)
Scorpions @ Rafters 1:05 p.m. RHP Dennis Sarfate (0-4) vs. RHP Zach Miner (2-1)
