Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Blackburn, Desert Dogs shut out Rafters

Nick Blackburn


Surprise 0 at Phoenix 6

W: N. Blackburn (3-0, 2.08); L: F. Rodriguez (1-1, 6.14)
HR: PDD: N. Reimold (4).

Minnesota's Nick Blackburn pitched four innings of 1 hit baseball, striking out 5 before handing the game over to his relief staff. Phoenix limited Surprise to a total of 3 hits in the game in route to 6-0 blanking of the Rafters at Phoenix Municiple Stadium.

Blackburn struck out the first two pitchers he faced and reitred the side on a fly ball to set the stage for the Phoenix offense. Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) tripled to lead if off and was plated by Matt Macri's (Minnesota) sac-fly. Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) drew a walk off Surprise starter Fernando Rodridguez Jr. (LA Angels), who suffered the loss in the game. Jeff Baisley (Oakland) followed that up with a single, before Jason Delaney's (Pittsbugh) ground ball brough Sweeney home. Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) would pick up a single as well, but Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) hit into a double play to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Rafter Scott Feldman (Texas) did not fair much better against the Dog's batters. He got Baisley and Delaney out on ground balls to start off the sixth inning, but McCutchen picked up a single, then stole 2nd. Getz took a walk and then Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) went yard to add three more to the Dog's total.

Morgon crossed the plate again in the 7th, brought in on a combination of a single by Sweeney and a fielding error by Chris Lubanski (Kansas City).

The Rafters got runners as far as 2nd in the top of the 6th and 8th innings, but were largely toothless in the contest.

Macri would finish off the game 1-for-3 at the plate with 1 RBI. A dark horse candidate for the Twins 3rd base job, Macri played Tuesday game at shortstop.

Blackburn's win was his 3rd of the season, as he lowered his era to 2.08.

The Dogs remain at home against the Peoria Saguaros on Wednesday for a 12:35 PM MST game.

Boxscore
Log
Wrap

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