MVN: Most Valuable Network

The Scorpions had a lot of fun at the Rafters' expense yesterday evening, stacking up 16 runs on 16 hits.  Each Scorpions' batter had at least one hit, and all but one scored at least one run.  The two teams, both in last place in their division, each committed 4 errors.  

2B Shelby Ford got the game off to an auspicious start with a booming triple into the right field corner.  He scored on a ground out by CF Chris Pettit (Angels).  Ford singled to begin the 3rd inning rally.  He went to second base on a balk, stole third base, and scored on SS Kevin Frandsen's (Giants) RBI single.  Pettit followed with another single, and he stole second base, and both Pettit and Frandsen scored on a throwing error.  

The 7th inning spelled doom for the Rafters.  Eleven batters went to the plate for the Scorpions, accounting for 7 runs.  A fielding error, a single, and a walk loaded the bases.  RF Josh Reddick (Red Sox) walked to force in the first run of the inning.  Then LF Jamie Romak and C Tim Duff (Angels) each had RBI singles, bringing in 3 more runs (4 runs in, no outs yet).  After a pitching change and a fly out, Frandsen doubled, scoring Romak, and Pettit was intentionally walked.  A pop out and fielding error scored Duff, and DH Drew Sutton's (Astros) single scored Frandsen.  Pettit tried for run #8, but was out at home on the throw in from left field.  

Back-to-back solo homers by 3B Chris Johnson (Astros) and Reddick, plus a double by Romak and an RBI single by 2B Ryan Rohlinger (Giants) (who had entered as a pinch-hitter for Ford) added three runs in the 7th inning.  1B Mark Trumbo (Angels) singled, Johnson tripled, and Reddick singled in the 8th to give Scottsdale two more runs.

The only member of the Scorpions who did not have a good game was reliever Osiris Matos (Giants).  He took the mound to begin the 5th inning with a 4-1 lead (the Rafters had scored an unearned run in the 4th inning).  Matos suffered through a walk, two errors, a single, and a 3-run homer, for 5 runs (3 earned) all without recording an out.  Barret Browing (Angels) relieved Matos and ended the 5th inning without allowing any further scoring.  He also pitched a scoreless 6th inning and took the win.

This game was stopped after 7 innings "by mutual agreement" (??).  The Cane Fires were held to only 3 hits, and both SS Brian Friday and DH Miles Durham went 0-for-3.  The only runs for the Cane Fires came in the bottom of the 7th, when LF Cyle Hankerd (Diamondbacks) reached on a fielding error and C Chris Hatcher (Marlins) smacked a 2-run homer.

Kyle Bloom got the start for the Cane Fires.  He scattered 3 hits and one walk over 5 scoreless innings, while striking out 5 batters.  Bloom retired the first 8 batters he faced before allowing a single in the 3rd inning.  His ERA stands at 1.44 in 6 starts in Hawaii.  

After 11 innings with a 2-2 tie, Los Venados' DH Robert Saucedo finally ended things with a 2-run walk off homer in the bottom of the 17th inning.  Saucedo led Mazatlan with 5 hits (8 at-bats).  LF Steve Pearce was hitless in 6 at-bats.  In the 4th inning, he grounded to third base on what should have been a double play, but for a throwing error by the second baseman, and Pearce advanced to second base on the error.  He came around to score on C Miguel Ojeda's RBI single.  Those were the only two runs Mazatlan scored until the 17th.  Pearce was also hit by a pitch in the 9th inning, but was doubled off first base on a line drive out to the third baseman.

Evan Meek pitched the top of the 9th for Mazatlan.  He loaded the bases with a single and two walks, but then got a strikeout and a fly out to get out of the inning without a run scoring.

CF Luis Cruz  hit a ground out for an RBI to give Obregon their first run in the 3rd inning.  He also singled in the 7th inning, but did not score.

Former Indy Indian (2004) Ben Hendrickson gave up 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts over just 3.2 innings for Caracas.  But his teammates came roaring back with 3 runs in the 5th inning, 5 in the 6th, 6 more in the 7th, and 2 in the 8th, and Hendrickson was not involved with the decision.   Ronald Belisario pitched in the 7th inning for La Guaira.  He got the first out, then gave up a double, and then missed a catch at first base on a grounder for an error.  After a fly out and a walk, he was relieved, but all three of those baserunners came around to score (all unearned).

Reliever Jesse Chavez earned a Hold by pitching a scoreless 8th inning for Los Gigantes.  He allowed a lone single, and struck out one.  His ERA is 1.35.