Macri helps Dogs defeat Solar Sox

Mesa 5 at Phoenix 6 (10 innings)

W: B. McCrory (2-1, 1.64); L: C. Reineke (0-2, 4.26)
HR: PDD: N. Reimold (5).

The Mesa Solar Sox blew a 4 run lead, allowing the Phoenix Desert Dogs to get back into the game, tie the contest up in the 9th and win it extra innings.

With 1 out in the 9th, Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) doubled, then crossed the plate on a Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) single to even the score. Reimold would make it to 3rd, but was left stranded when Jeff Baisley (Oakland) ground into a double play.

Matt Macri (Minnesota) doubled off Chad Reineke (Houston) in the 10th, moved to 3rd on a Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) gound out and crossed the plate for the game winner when Reineke unleashed a wild pitch.

The Solar Sox had taken control of the game early, when Matt LaPorta (Milwaukee) doubled in the top of the 2nd, then scored on a Mitch Einertson (Houston) single.

With 2 outs in the 3rd, Joe Simokaitis (Chicago Cubs) doubled and Jed Lowrie (Boston) walked. The pair would come home on LaPorta's second double of the game, both coming off Phoenix starter Hayden Penn (Baltimore).

Penn would be replaced by James Simmons (Oakland) in the 5th, who allowed a double to Adam Heether (Milwaukee), who then moved to 3rd on Sam Fuld's (Chicago Cubs) single. Simokaitis ground into a double play, but Heether crossed the plate, giving the Solar Sox a 4-0 lead.

The Dogs would start their comeback in the bottom of the inning when Cliff Pennington (Oakland) doubled, then stole 3rd base. Reimold would go yard over the left center field wall to cut Mesa's lead in half.

In the bottom of the sixth, Macri would draw a walk with 1 out. Getz double plated him, making it 4-3 Mesa.

But the Sox found themselves some breathing room in the top of the 7th, when Heether singled and advanced to 2nd on a throwing error by Reimold. Fuld singled him in with a ground ball to left. He'd advance to 3rd on Donny Lucy's (Chicago White Sox) throwing error, but was left stranded with Simokaitis ground out.

Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) hit a ground-rule double in bottom of the 8th, then crossed the plate on Macri's fly ball single to cut the Sox lead to one, setting the stage for the 9th and 10th inning heroics.

Macri, the only Minnesota prospect in the game, was 2-for-3 with 2 runs, 2 walks, a double and an RBI.

The Brewers LaPorta split last season between the Pioneer and Sally Leagues. The former Gator outfielder from Gaineville, Floria, will likely start next season with Brevard County of the Florida State League. While he's likely a shoe in for the FSL top prospect set, I'd imagine he won't stay in Melbourne long enough to be there when Spacecoast Stadium hosts the FSL All-Star game.

The Desert Dogs finish off their week at home Saturday against the Peoria Saguaros for a 12:35 MST game.

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