MVN: Most Valuable Network

(See the report of the first 9+ innings from that day

When we last left our heros, the score was tied 6-6 in the top of the 11th inning, with no outs, two runners on base, and 2B Kevin Frandsen (Giants) at the plate.  Jared Hughes had started for the Scorpions and had given up 5 runs on 6 hits in 1.2 innings, and Mike Crotta had allowed 2 hits and 3 walks over his 2.1 scoreless innings.  LF Jamie Romak had left the game in the 10th inning, when he doubled and then was replaced by a pinch runner.  The Desert Dogs had committed 7 errors, and the Scorpions took advantage of them.  

When play resumed, Frandsen dropped down a sacrifice bunt, moving the runners to second and third bases.  LF Brian Bogusevic (Astros) was intentionally walked, but SS Drew Sutton (Astros) and DH Mark Trumbo (Angels) both struck out, and the bases were left loaded.  That left a tie score after 11 innings, and the game was declared a tie.  

Determined to remain tied, the two teams battled for another 11 innings in the second game, which was then declared a tie.  Phoenix scored first, 3 runs in the 2nd inning.  The Scorpions came back with 2 runs in the 5th inning.  LF Chris Pettit (Angels) singled, and SS Drew Sutton (Astros) walked, and both scored on CF Brian Bogusevic's line drive single to left field.        RF Josh Reddick (Red Sox) and C Mark Wagner (Red Sox) both hit solo homers to lead off the 6th inning, and another walk by Sutton, and singles by 1B Mark Trumbo and 3B Ryan Rohlinger (Giants) brought in another run.  The Desert Dogs tied it up with a 2-run homer in the top of the 7th, and the score remained tied for the next 4 innings.  DH Jamie Romak was 0-for-6, but reached base in the 11th inning on a throwing error.  Darren Ford came in to pinch run for Romak, but was caught stealing second base, ending the inning and the game.   Jeff Sues pitched the 4th and 5th innings for the Scorpions.  He gave up a triple in the 4th and a single in the 5th, but both runners were left on base.  Sues struck out 3 batters.

The Cane Fires popped 15 hits, with LF Kyle Peter (Tigers), 2B Mark Halberg (Diamondbacks), and 1B Adam Loewen (Blue Jays) all having 3-hit nights.  DH Miles Durham did not get in on the hit parade, going 0-for-4. The Cane Fires scored one run in the 3rd inning, on two singles and two errors.  Four straight singles added another run in the 5th.  They picked up another run in the 7th on two singles and a wild pitch, and two more runs in the 8th on a double and two singles.  This was the Cane Fires' 5th win in a row, and they have clinched the HWB West Division title.  They have two more games, against the North Shore Honu on Friday and Saturday (tonights' two HWB games were cancelled), and the championship game will be played on Sunday.

Evan Meek retired three Obregon batters in order in the 9th inning, earning his 7th save in the Mexican Pacific League.  Mazatlan scored all 5 runs in the 5th inning, which began with a walk and four consecutive singles before an out was made.  Obregon scored one run in the 2nd inning on two singles, a bunt, and a ground out.  They added another run in the top of the 5th inning on a single, a ground out, and an RBI single.  SS Luis Cruz singled in the 7th inning, but was left on base.  He also made a throwing error, though it did not result in a run scoring.  

Los Aguilas scored 4 runs in the 1st inning, and continued to score in 5 of their remaining 7 at-bats, easily flying over Los Tigres.  Licey scored their first run in the 4th inning on a solo homer.  C Ronny Paulino led off the 7th inning with a walk, reached third base on a passed ball, and scored on a ground out to give Licey their second run.  In the 8th inning, a single and three doubles, including one by Paulino and one by Indianapolis area native 1B Jake Fox (Cubs) gave Licey 3 runs.  Franquelis Osoria pitched to one batter in the 8th inning and got a pop out.  Fox went 4-for-4, with two doubles and two singles.  

Jorge Charry pitched to two batters in the 7th inning for Ponce.  Two doubles and two singles plus a steal of home had already brought in 3 runs for Arecibo, and Charry entered the game with two outs and runners on first and second bases.  He gave up a double, scoring the  runner from second base (run charged to the previous pitcher), and then got a strikeout to end the inning.  

One run on three singles in the bottom of the 8th inning made the difference for Magallanes.  CF Jorge Cortes singled for Magallanes, and walked and scored in the 5th inning.  RF Jose Tabata was hitless in three at-bats, and former Pirate farmhand LF Ray Sadler doubled.