No Surprise, Dogs win 4th AFL Title

The totally awesome Nick Blackburn

Phoenix 7 at Surprise 2

W: C. Hernandez (1-0, 9.00); L: R. Rundles (0-1, 0.00)
HR: SUR: S. Rodriguez (1).

The Phoenix Desert Dogs exploded in the 8th and 9th innings Saturday to pick up their 4th consecutive AFL title. This is the 2nd year the Minnesota Twins have been part of the Desert Dogs co-op.

Minnesota's Nick Blackburn worked 6 inning for the Dogs, holding the Rafters to 1 run on 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 2.

Sean Rodriguez (LA Angels) would take one of Blackburn's cruveballs deep over the left-center field wall for a Rafter's home run. That would tie up the game, after the Dogs took a first inning lead.

Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) began the game with a double, but then tried to stretch it to 3, being taken out at 3rd. Dog's shortshop of choice Cliff Pennington (Oakland) singled, the stole 2nd base. Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) doubled in Pennington.

The Dogs would take the lead back in the top of the 4th, when Matt Macri (Minnesota) drew a walk, moved ot second on a Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) single then came home on Morgan's fly ball single to right.

The Rafters however would have to wait until Chris Hernandez (Pittsburgh) took over the mound in the 7th to find an answering run. Brad Snyder (Cleveland) would single, and the Elvis Andrus (Texas) would double to move him to 3rd. A Craig Tatum (Cincinnati) sac-fly brought Snyder in tying up the score again.

But Sweeney walked in the top of the ninth off Mike Finocchi (Cleveland). Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) reached on a force attempt that failed when Andrus overthrew the ball. Following a Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) ground out, Macri would it a sac-fly to bring in Sweeney. A Getz single plated Delaney to give the Dogs a 2 run lead.

They'd add to it in the 9th, when Pennington singled with 1 out, then stole 2nd base. Nolan Reimold's ground ball deflected off first baseman Michael Aubrey (Cleveland). Combined with a fielding error by 2nd baseman Marc Maddox (Kansas City), Penning had more than enough time to get home. Sweeney would single to move Reimold to 2nd. Following a pitching change that saw Paul Kometani (Texas) take to the mound for the Rafters, Delaney singled to bring in Reimold. McCutchen would walk to fill the bases, and a passed ball by Tatum allowed Sweeney to score. Macri would strike out and Getz would ground out to retire the Dogs, leaving 2 men stranded.

Phoenix would look to Dave Davidson (Pittsburgh) in the 8th and Bob McCrory (Baltimore) in the 9th to finish up the game and keep the Rafters out of it.

After Andrus struck out looking to start the bottom of the ninth, the Rafters bench exploded, leading to the ejection of Surprise hitting coach Jon Nunnally and pitching coach Steve Luebber. It made no difference. Tatum would ground out and Chris Lubanski (Kansas City) struck out to end the inning.

Macri finished up the game 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk, a run and an RBI. Catcher Drew Butera finished up 1-for-4. Trevor Plouffe, who appeared in the AFL Rising Stars Showcase, last played on November 8th, when he was lifted at the end of the first inning following a ground out.

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Phoenix stuns Surprise, 8-0

Phoenix 8 at Surprise 0

W: H. Penn (1-0, 6.45); L: A. Miller (0-2, 9.00)
HR: None.

The Phoenix Desert Dogs took a surprise shut out win over the Surprise Rafters Thursday afternoon, finishing off the regular AFL season. Both teams will play each other again on Saturday for the Championship.

Nyjer Morgan's (Pittsburgh) single was followed up by a walk to Cliff Pennington (Oakland). Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) hit his 4th double of the AFL season to score the pair, then came home when Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) doubled off Cleveland's Adam Miller to give the Dogs a 3 run lead to start the game.

They added to it in the 2nd inning when Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) reached on a throwing error by Sean Rodriguez (LA Angels). After Reimold was taken out on strikes, Sweeney hit his second double of the game to plate Getz.

Phoenix's Hayden Penn (Baltimore) allowed 5 hits and walked 1 while striking out 5 over 5 innings to pick up the win, his first of the season. Miller lasted only .1 of the first inning, giving way to Devon Lowery and Nate Hoelscher, both from the Kansas City Royals organization.

Pennington took a walk off Van Stertzbach (LA Angels) to start the sixth, then stole 2nd. Raul Padron (Oakland) would double to bring him in, making it 5-0 for Phoenix.

David Haehnel (Baltimore), James Simmons (Oakland) and Brad Kirby (Oakland) kept the Rafters off the board for the next 3 innings.

Reimold singled to start the top of the ninth. With one out Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) singled and then Reimold came home when Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) doubled. Following a ground out by Matt Macri (Minnesota), Pennington would single to bring in Delaney and McCutchen. Baltimore's Jake Arrieta would mop up the bottom of the inning for Phoenix.

The big victory celebration though will have to wait until Saturday, as the Rafters are still full of surprises. Nick Blackburn (Minnesota) is expected to get the start for the Dogs in the championship game.

Scottsdale took an 11-4 win over the Peoria Javelinas to finish off the season for those two, and the Peoria Saguaros fell to the Mesa Solar Sox, 6-5.

I asked La Velle E. Neal III if he'd heard anything concrete about Trevor Plouffe's injury to which he responded "Plouffe strained a shoulder but is back playing." Well, you couldn't prove that by my boxscore. Perhaps he's at home, playing with his X-Box?

Plouffe finished off the season with 7 runs on 14 hits in 15 games (50 at bats) for a .280 average (.379 OPB/.360 SLG/.697 OPS), Macri had 13 runs on 26 hits in 28 games (101 at bats) for a .257 average (.315 OBP/.406 SLG/.721 OPS), and Drew Butera ended up with 4 runs on 8 hits in 12 games (32 at bats) for a .250 Average (.314 OPB/.313 SLG/.627 OPS).

Pitching wise, Blackburn finished up with 1.64 average and a .68 Whip, picking up a 4-0 record in 22 innings pitched, Edward Morlan had no earned runs charged to him, a 1-0 record, and a 1.11 whip in 12.2 innings. Ryan Mullins posted a 1-0 record with a 2.84 average, and a 1.11 whip in 19.0 innings, and Anthony Swarak finished up with a 1-1 record, a 2.05 ERA and a 1.09 whip in 22 innings pitched.

With the regular season ended, I'd like to thank Miracle blogger Ed Pelegrino for the Southern and Midwest League top prospect sets which provided much of the image material for the these game recaps. I hope I've managed to keep these reports at least somewhat entertaining for you.

One of these years I must really take a week off in November and go watch this league play.

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Offensive Desert Dogs shred Woerman, Javelinas 13-4

Ryan Mullins

Peo Javelinas 4 at Phoenix 13

W: R. Mullins (1-0, 2.84); L: J. Woerman (2-2, 6.86)
HR: PEJ: M. Tuiasosopo (1). PDD: R. Sweeney (1).

The Phoenix Desert Dogs turned into an offensive machine Wednesday afternoon at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium, pounding the Peoria Javelinas 13-4. Peoria's loss, coupled with the Rafters win, means that the Dogs will face Surprise in the Championship Game on Saturday (which is probably not much of a surprise to anyone).

Peoria got onto the board first when Brett Gardner (NY Yankees) singled to start out the game and moved to 2nd on Dexter Fowler's (Colorado) sac-bunt. Following Jordan Schafer's (Atlanta) strike out and a walk to Justin Maxwell (Washington), Kory Castro (Washington) would reach on a fielding error by Minnesota's Matt Macri which would also bring Gardner home. Starter Ryan Mullins (Minnesota) would get Devan Ivany (Washington) out on strikes to end the inning.

The Dogs then surprised Peoria. With one out, Cliff Pennington (Oakland) singled and Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) and Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) both drew walks. Jason Delaney's (Oakland) line drive would plate Pennington. Macri would strike out swinging, but a Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) walk forcing in Reimold. Drew Butera's (Minnesota) fly ball single then brough in Sweeney and Delaney to make it 4-1 Dogs.

In the top of the 3rd, Gardner walked and moved to 3rd on Schafer's single to 2nd. After Maxwell took a walk off Mullins to load the bags, Castro ground into a force out to score Gardner. Ivany would again end the inning for the Javelinas, this time on a fly out.

Delaney walked to start the bottom of the 3rd, but he was taken out at 2nd on Macri's force out. Getz and Butera both took walks off Seattle's Joe Woerman to fill up the bases again. Blake Davis' (Baltimore) sngle to right brought in Macri and Gets. Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) would get plunked by a pitch. Pennington would hit a sac-fly to bring in Butera, but the Dog's were not yet done. A wild pitch by Woerman moved David and Morgan, and the pair would score on Reimold's grounder to left field, making the score 9-2.

Matt Tulasosopo (Seattle) would homer off Mullins in the top of the 4th as the Javelina's chipped away at the Dogs' lead.

Adam Russell (Chicago White Sox) would relieve Mullins in the top of the 5th, getting Fowler out on strikes before giving up back-to-back singles to Schafer and Maxwell. Castro would take a walk to load the bags and Ivany would single to bring in Schafter. But Tulasosopo ground into a double play to end the inning and the Javelina's scoring threat.

A pair of singled by Morgan and Pennington and a Reimold double saw the Dogs take another point at the bottom of the 6th.

Phoenix was not through though, as Morgan reached on a fielding error in the 8th and Pennington would walk, before Sweeney hit a Darren Clarke (Colorado) pitch over the right center-field fence to finish off the Dog's definative statement.

Mullins final line score would be be 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3 in 4 innings, picking up his first win of the AFL season. Eddie Morlan (Minnesota) worked the sixth inning, allowing only 1 hit during his 1 frame on the mound.

Macri would go 1-for-5 at the plate with 1 run, while the scrappy Butera was 1-for-3 with a walk, a run, and 2 RBIs.

The Rafters would edge out the Saguaros 6-5 with Michael Aubrey (Cleveland) and John Mayberry (Texas) each picking up their 5th home run of the AFL season for Surprise. That win gives them a 2 game lead over the Javelinas with one left to play, locking up their playoff berth. Scottsdale would edge Mesa, 1-0, with Milwaukee's Steve Hammond taking the hard luck loss in the game.

The AFL regular season concludes on Thursday with Surpise hosting the Desert Dogs in a preview of Saturday's Championship game at 12:35 pm.

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Scottsdale blanks Phoenix

Anthony Swarzak

Phoenix 0 at Scottsdale 5

W: M. Prochaska (3-2, 6.55); L: A. Swarzak (1-1, 2.05)
HR: SCO: S. Santos (5), J. Jaso (3).

For a team that's going to the playoffs, Phoenix certainly didn't play like it on Tuesday. Despite 7 hits, the Desert Dogs could not get on the board, getting blanked 5-0 by the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Minnesota's Anthony Swarzak gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 1 walk, striking out 3 over 5 innings.

The unearned run came in the 3rd, when Mike Carp (NY Mets) singled and moved to 2nd on Manny Burriss' (San Francisco) sac-bunt. A throwing error by catcher Raul Padron (Oakland) on a pick off attempt saw Carp to 3rd. He'd come in on Reid Brignac's (Tampa Bay) ground ball single.

In the 4th, with 2 outs, Nate Schierholtz (San Francisco) would single, then Swarzak would hang a pitch over the plate that Sergio Santos (Toronto) took deep over the left center field wall for his 5th home run of the AFL season. Swarzak would walk John Jaso (Tampa Bay) before getting Carp to fly out to end the inning.

Jaso would hit a single shot home run in the 7th off Jeff Gray (Oakland). Burris then drew a walk, and moved to second on Brignac's ground out before being plated by Wilkin Castillo's (Arizona) double to right.

The only time the Dogs really threatened was in the top of the 9th, when Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) found his way to 3rd with 2 outs. But Matt Macri (Minnesota) would ground out, ending the game.

For Swarzak, it was his first loss of the AFL season. Macri, who has hit .275 on the season, was 0-for-4 at the plate.

Phoenix returns home to face the Peoria Javelinas on Wednesday for a 12:35 PM game.

The Javelina's crushed the Saguaros 17-5 Tuesday, picking up 6 runs in the 4th inning off triples by Kory Castro (Washington) and Dexter Fowler (Colorado) and 8 in the 5th with the same pair hitting doubles. Surprise again failed to lock up their playoff spot, falling 4-3 to the Mesa Solar Sox.

The Rafters lead the Javelina's by 1 with 2 regular AFL season games left to play.

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Twins trade: Minnesota made a deal with the Chicago Cubs to send a Player-to-be-named later to the Cubs in exchange for major league left fielder Craig Monroe. The 30-year-old Monroe hit 28 home runs for the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and five more in the post season as they reached the World Series. But the Tigers designated him for assignment in August after he batted .222 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI. After being traded to the Cubs, Monroe batted .204 with one home run in 23 games.

Blackburn sinks Solar Sox, 8-1

Nick Blackburn

Phoenix 8 at Mesa 1

W: N. Blackburn (4-0, 1.64); L: M. Boggs (0-2, 5.21)
HR: PDD: N. Reimold (6). MSS: M. LaPorta (6).

Nick Blackburn (Minnesota) worked through 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 4. Mesa's Matt LaPorta (Milwaukee) hit a single shot home run off Blackburn, a candidate for the AFL's Pitcher of the Year Award, over the left field fence in the 5th inning for the Solar Sox lone run.

It would hardly matter to the Phoenix Desert Dogs though. Phoenix got onto the board in the 2nd, when Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) and Matt Macri (Minnesota) both singled. Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) would hit into a force out that took McCutchen out at 3rd, and Donny Lucy (Chicago White Sox) would strike out. Cliff Pennington (Oakland) hit a line drive to bring in Macri, starting off the scoring.

Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) homered off Mesa's Mitch Boggs (St Louis) to start off the 3rd inning. Ryan Sweeney (Chicgo White Sox) then singled and stole 2nd. Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) would take a walk before McCutchen delivered a line drive to double in Sweeney. Matt Averey (Chicago Cubs) would be called onto the mound for Mesa at that point. After getting Macri out on strikes, Getz singled to bring in Delaney. Donny Lucey (Chicago White Sox) would be called out on strikes and following a wild pitch, Pennington would walk to load the bags. But Blake Davis (Baltimore) would line out to end the inning.

McCutchen and Macri hit a pair of ground outs to start the top of the 5th, but Getz and Lucy followed that up with back-to-back singles and Pennington walked to load the bases. Luke Gregerson (St Louis) would be called in to get the final out, but instead gave up a single to Davis, which scored Getz. Reimold walked to fill up the bags again before Sweeney's ground ball pushed Pennington over the plate. Unfortunately, Delaney would hit into a ground out to strand the runners.

Still, to a 7-0 lead was a good position to be in when LaPorta saved the Solar Sox from a shut out.

Getz would score in the ninth after the reached base on a catching error by Mesa hurler Dave Johnson (Milwaukee). Pennington would single to move Getz to 3rd before he would cross the plate on Davis' ground out.

Macri would finish up 1 for 5 with 1 run. Mesa would find only 4 more hits in the game - 2 off Jesse Chavez (Pittsburgh), one of Jake Arrieta (Baltimore) and the last off Fernando Hernandez (Chicago White Sox).

Phoenix takes on Scottsdale Tuesday for a 12:35 PM contest.

In other AFL action, the Scorpions shot down the Peoria Saguaros, 11-7. Three different Scottsdale players had home runs in the game, the Met's Caleb Stewart and Mike Nicheas, and Toronto's Ryan Patterson. The Peoria Javelinas blanked the Surprise Rafters 4-0. Former SaraReds pitcher Ben Jukich (Cincinnati) suffered the loss for Surprise. Javelina's win puts them 2 games back from Surprise with three left to play as the Dog's continue to wait for a partner for Saturday's playoff game.

It appears the Trevor Plouffe (Minnesota) will miss the remainder of the AFL season with a relatively minor injury sustained while he attempted to run out a ground ball. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training though, when it opens in March.

The AFL Pitcher of the Year ballot is up. Voting ends Saturday, November 17th at 11:59 PM MST. Click HERE to vote for Nick Blackburn as AFL Pitcher of the Year.

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Ugueto released: The Twins released Luis Ugueto who split time in the 2007 season between the Fort Myers Miracle and Rochester Red Wings. When Ugueto first played in the Florida State League in 2001, he was considered one of the Florida Marlins top prospects. His fortunes changed following a suspension for performance enchancing drugs.

Signed as a free agent by the Twins Ugueto had a .228 batting average in 76 games with the Miracle in 2007. He record 27 runs on 61 hits, had 2 home runs, and 16 RBIs. In triple-A Rochester, Ugueto hit .167, recording only 1 run on 4 hits in 7 games.

Ugueto is currently playing in the Venezuelan Winter League with los Cardenales de Lara.

In other news, former Miracle Jacque Jones (1997 season) was traded to the Detroit Tigers by the Chicago Cubs in exchange for utility infielder Omar Infante. Jones has spent the last two seasons with the Cubs, hitting .285, but had only 5 home runs in 135 games last year as opposed to 27 the season before. The 32-year-old outfielder also saw his run and RBI production fall off last season.

Phoenix win locks up AFL East Division

Peo Saguaros 2 at Phoenix 5

W: A. Russell (2-0, 2.40); L: J. Ellis (0-1, 6.10); SV: E. Morlan (1)
HR: None.

The Phoenix Desert Dogs held the Saguaros to 2 runs on 5 hits Saturday, taking a 5 game lead in the AFL East Division with four games left to play, securing their playoff berth.

The Saguaros got on the board first, taking a run off Jack Egbert (Chicago White Sox) in the 3rd inning. Nick Hundley (San Diego) walked with 1 out, moved to 3rd on Steve Sollmann's (Milwaukee) double and scored on a Greg Golson (Philadelphia) sac-fly.

Phoenix would wait until the 5th to get their offense rolling with Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) and Cliff Pennington (Oakland) hitting back-to-back doubles off Zachary Hammes (LA Dodgers). Nyjer Morgan's single moved Pennington to 3rd, and he crossed the plate on Matt Macri's (Minnesota) ground out to give the Dogs a 2-1 lead.

The Saguaros would tie it up in the top of the 6th, with Xavier Paul (LA Dodgers) taking a walk off reliever David Haehnel (Baltimore) with 2 outs, then stealing 2nd. Scott Sizemore (Detroit) then drew a walk as well. Jeff Larish's (Detroit) line drive would put Paul over the plate, but Mike Costanzo (Philadelphia) would strike out to retire the side.

In the bottom of the seventh, Pennington drew a walk from Jonathan Ellis (San Diego), then stoled 2nd. Morgan then tripled to plate Pennington, then came home on Nolan Reimold's (Baltimore) sac-fly, to make it 4-2 Dogs.

They would add some extra insurance in the bottom of the 8th with Drew Butera (Minnesota) doubling, moving to 3rd on a Getz single and crossing the plate on Morgan's ground out.

Butera would finish the game 1-for-4. Macri would not record a hit in 4 at bats, but picked up 1 RBI on the ground out in the 5th.

Eddie Morlan picked up the save, working .1 inning, striking out Jai Miller (Florida) to end the contest.

The Dogs face Mesa and Scottsdale on the road Monday and Tuesday, host the Javelinas on Wednesday and finish up the regular season at Surprise on Thursday. All games are 12:35 PM MST.

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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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Phoenix error gives Solar Sox 5-3 win

Phoenix 3 at Mesa 5

W: L. Holdzkom (1-0, 6.23); L: J. Chavez (1-2, 6.55); SV: J. Motte (1)
HR: PDD: C. Pennington (1). MSS: M. LaPorta (5).

The Mesa Solar Sox took 3 runs off Jesse Chavez (Pittsburgh) to overcome the Phoenix Desert Dogs in route to a 5-3 victory at Mesa HoHoKam Park. The game winning run was unearned, as Chicago Cubs' farmhand Josh Lansford reached on a fielding error by Phoenix shortstop Blake Davis (Baltimore).

Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) greeted Mesa starter Steve Hammond (Milwaukee) with a single before Cliff Pennington (Oakland) blasted a ball over the left field wall to give the Dogs a 2 run lead. Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) would be called out on strikes before Jeff Baisley (Oakland) doubled. Matt Macri's (Minnesota) fly ball single to center field would plate Baisley after Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) lined out. Trevor Plouffe (Minnesota) would ground out to end the inning.

Sam Fuld (Chicago Cubs) started off the bottom of the inning by hitting a double off former Miracle Ryan Mullins (Minnesota). Following a pair of ground outs, Matt LaPorta (Milwaukee) hit a home run to cut the Dog's lead to 1.

The game would stay that way with Hammond working 4 innings, allowing the 3 first inning runs off 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. Mullins would work 4 innings as well, allowing the 2 runs on 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3.

Jake Arrieta (Baltimore) and Eddie Morlan (Minnesota) would each work a scoreless inning for the Dogs before Chevez got onto the mound.

Mitch Einertson (Houston) singled to start out, and was followed by a Lou Palimisano (Milwaukee) fly out. Langford then reached on Davis' error which moved Einertson to 3rd to Lansford to 2nd. Amaury Marti (St Louis) plated Einertson to tie the game, and a Tommy Manzella (Houston) single brought Lansford home for the game winning run. Fuld singled to load the bases and then Chavez walked Jarrett Hoffpauir (St Louis) to force Marti over the plate, giving Mesa an insurance marker.

The Dogs only got 2 hits off the Solar Sox relief team of Dave Johnson (Milwaukee), Lincoln Holdzkom (Boston), Josh Muecke (Houston) and Jason Mott (St. Louis).

Morlan allowed 1 hit and struck out 1 during his inning on the mound. Macri would finish up 2-for-4 at the plate with 1 RBI, Plouffe would be 0-for-1 being replaced by Davis in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Catcher Drew Butera (Minnesota) was 0-for-3 batting at the bottom of the order.

The two teams rematch at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on Friday at 12:35 PM, MST. Mesa now trails the Dogs by 3 games in the AFL East Division standings. The Dogs host the Peoria Saguaros on Saturday for a 12:35 game before taking Sunday off.

The Saguaros defeated Scottsdale 9-1 Thursday with former Clearwater Thresher Greg Golson (Philadelphia) going yard for Peoria. Philadelphia's Pat Overholt picked up the win, allowing 2 hits and striking out 3 in 4 innings.

Surprise continued their dominance in the West Division, defeating the Peoria Javelinas 5-2. Chris Lubanski (Kansas City) hit a blast off Colorado's Sean Thompson for the Rafters. Matt Harrison (Texas) allowed 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 5 in four innings for his fifth win of the season.

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Dogs take revenge on Scorpions

Phoenix 6 at Scottsdale 5

W: A. Swarzak (1-0, 1.59); L: M. Prochaska (2-2, 8.47); SV: B. McCrory (5)
HR: PDD: N. Morgan (1). SCO: R. Patterson (2).

Minnesota's Anthony Swarzak pitched 4 innings of 3 hit baseball, allowing 1 unearned run and striking out 1 to help the Phoenix Desert Dogs back into the win column against the Scottsdale Scorpions on Wednesday.

The unearned run came when Manny Burriss (San Francisco) hit a soft ground ball to shortstop Blake Davis (Baltimore), who overthrew first and put the ball into the dugout. That allowed Burriss to advance to 2nd. Aaron Cunningham (Arizona) then singled out to left, and a fielding error by Njyer Morgan (Pittsburgh) allowed Burriss to score. With 1 out, Snider would steal second, but Swarzak got Caleb Stewart (NY Mets) to fly out and Mike Carp (NY Mets) to ground out to end the inning.

Morgan, at least, made up for his error in the 3rd. After Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) and Raul Padron (Oakland) had singled their way onto base, Morgan hit an in-the-park home run to center field, giving the Dogs 3.

Phoenx added 2 more in the top of the 5th after Scorpions' starter Mike Prochaska (Tampa Bay) hit Morgan with a pitch, he'd then steal 2nd and with one out, came home on Ryan Sweeney's (Chicago White Sox) ground ball to center. That would do it for Prochaska, who was replaced by Nick DeBarr (Tampa Bay). Sweeney stole 2nd, and then scored on Jason Delaney's (Pittsburgh) line drive. Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) would reach on a fielding attempt, and Matt Macri (Minnesota) would walk to load the bases, but Getz flew out and Padron ground out to end the inning.

Former Dunedin center fielder Ryan Patterson (Toronto) homered in the bottom of the fifth for Scottsdale off reliever David Haehnel (Baltimore).

Scottsdale make an effort to get back into the game in the 5th, with Adam Russell (Chicago White Sox) on the mound. Cunningham would walk to lead off, and Snider's grounder deflected off Macri to roll out into left field, moving him to 3rd. Stewart would strike out swinging, but Carp would reach on a force attempt that saw Cunningham score. Davis committed his second error of the game, when he missed the catch on the play. Sergio Santos (Toronto) then plated Snider before Patterson stuck out and Mike Nickeas (NY Mets) flew out to end the inning.

The Dogs threatened in the 8th when Donny Lucy (Chicago White Sox) made it to 3rd base, but Ricky Romero (Toronto) got Nolan Reimold (Baltimoer) to fly out to end retire the side. It wouldn't be until the 9th inning with Carlos Muniz (NY Mets) on the mound, that Sweeney would single his way onto first, then steal 2nd. Delaney moved him to 3rd on a fly out, and McCutchen and Macri would both walk to load the bases. Getz's force out plated Sweeney for what would prove the game winning run.

Scottsdale threatended in the 9th when Reid Brignac (Tampa Bay) doubled off Bob McCrory (Baltimore), moved to 3rd on Burriss' single to short and came home on a Cunningham sac-fly. But Snider and Stewart both hit into ground outs to end the game. The win puts SCottdale back 4.5 games in the East Divsion, they had made up some ground when they defeated the Dogs on Tuesday. Mesa remains in second place, 4 game back with 7 games left to play.

Phoenix takes on the Solar Sox at Mesa, Thursday at 7:05 PM, MST, and again on Friday at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium at 12:35 PM. Mesa fell to the AFL West Divsion leading Surprise Rafters Wednesday, 7-4. Mike Aubrey (Cleveland), Kila Kaaihue (Kansas City), Taylor Teagarden (Texas) and Brad Snider (Cleveland) all hit home runs for the Rafters. Sarasota native Tim Dillard (Milwaukee) gave up 2 in .2 innings worth of work.

Peoria Saguaros picked up a 6-2 win over the Peoria Javelina's Wednesday at the Peoria Sports Complex. Detroit's Scott Sizemore was 2-for-5 in the game with 1 run and 1 RBI, while Jeff Larish, who played for Lakeland in 2006, was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI. San Diego's Will Venable went yard for the Saguaros off Colorado's Ching Lung Lo.

The top teams in each division meet for the AFL Championship game on November 17th.

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Scorpions sting Dogs, 1-0

Nick Blackburn

Scottsdale 1 at Phoenix 0

W: E. Meek (1-0, 1.04); L: D. Davidson (0-1, 1.17); SV: B. Anderson (3)
HR: None.

Scottsdale pitching stung the PHoenix offense to sleep Tuesday as the Scorpions shut out the Dogs, 1-0.

Both teams were held to 7 hits each.

Nick Blackburn (Minnesota) started for the Desert Dogs and held the Scorpions to 4 hits, while striking out 3 over 4 innings. He dropped his ERA to 1.59 in the process.

However his performance was matched by Scorpion starter Adam Bostick (NY Mets), how allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3 over 5 innings.

The game would stay scoreless until the 8th inning with neither team seemingly able to get past 2nd base. Phoenix catcher Donny Lucy (Chicago White Sox) made it to 3rd in the 5th inning after doubling off Bostick, but Cliff Pennington (Oakland) hit into a double play to end the inning.

With one out in the top of the 8th, Wilkin Castillo (Arizona) doubled off Pittsburgh's David Davidson. Manny Burriss (San Francisco) hit a soft fly ball to center that allowed Castillo enough time to get over the plate to give the Scorpions their sole run.

Lucy would end up stranded on 2nd in the bottom of the inning while Brian Anderson (San Francisco) allowed a single to Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) in the 9th, but took out Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh), Jeff Baisley (Oakland) and Matt Macri (Minnesota) all on fly balls to end the contest.

Macri would go 0-for-4 in the contest. McCutchen was 3-for-4 and Lucy 2-for-3 with Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) and Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) getting the other 2 Dog hits.

The two teams rematch Wednesday at 7:05 PM in Scottsdale.

In other AFL action, the Surprise Rafters took a 5-2 victory over the Mesa Solar Sox. Michael Aubrey (Cleveland) was 3-for-4 with 1 run and 1 RBI for Surprise, and Elvis Andrus (Texas) and Sean Rodriguez (LA Angels) had 2 hits each in the game. Former Sarasoa Red Ben Jukich (Cincinnati) worked 4 innings for the Rafters, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 1.

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Blackburn named AFL Pitcher of the Week: Former Miracle Nick Blackburn made just one start during the week of Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, but it was a beauty. On Tuesday, the 25-year-old Minnesota Twins farmhand faced off against the Surprise Rafters and allowed just one hit over four shutout innings while striking out five. He earned the win in the contest, his third victory in as many appearances.

Blackburn's magnificent effort against Surprise was, in fact, no surprise, as the Oklahoma native has tossed 11 scoreless innings over his past three outings. Overall, he is 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched, and opponents are hitting a paltry .163 against him. Blackburn split the 2007 campaign between Double-A New Britain and Triple-A Rochester, and made his Major League debut with the Twins on Sept. 3. MLB.com

Dogs continue to dominate Javelinas

Minnesota's Eddie Morland

Phoenix 6 at Peo Javelinas 2

W: J. Egbert (1-0, 3.77); L: G. Mock (0-1, 2.95)
HR: None.

Trevor Plouffe (Minnesota) when 2-for-3 with 1 walk, 2 runs and 1 RBI for the Phoenix Desert Dogs which continued their dominence over the Peoria Javelina's 6-2.

Chicago White Sox prospect Jack Egbert allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 3 runs while striking out 3 in 4 innings to pick up the win for Phoenix at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) lead off with a single in the top of the third inning for the Dogs, and was followed onto the bases by Plouffe. A Drew Butera (Minnesota) single scored Getz. Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) and Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) then drew a walks which loaded the bases and pushed Plouffe over the plate. Ryan Sweeney (chicago White Sox) would hit into a double play that would take Morgan out at 3rd and Reimold out at 2nd, but Butera managed to pass the plate to give the Dogs a 3 run lead in the inning.

For the Javelinas, Reegie Corona (NY Yankees) took a walk off Egbert to lead off, and advanced to 2nd on a balk. A wild pitch moved him to 3rd, and he'd cross the plate on Brett Gardner's (NY Yankees) ground out to put the Javelinas on the board. Dexter Fowler (Colorado) would walk and steal his way to 2nd, but Jordan Schafer (Atlanta) struck out and former Tampa Yankee Juan Miranda (NY Yankees) ground out to end the inning.

The Dogs took advantage of pitcher change as Plouffe took a walk off Steve Jackson (NY Yankees). Butera would ground out, moving Plouffe over to 2nd. Morgan's 1st double of the AFL season out to left saw Plouffe home. Morgan then stole 2nd and scored on Sweeney's line drive to center adding to the Dog's total.

With Adam Russell (Chicago White Sox) on the mound in the sixth, Miranda doubled then came in on a Justin Maxwell (Washington) single to give the Javelinas their second run in the game.

Phoenix would not finish off until the ninth, when Getz walked, advanced to 2nd on a balk and to 3rd on a wild pitch by Zechry Zinicola (Washington). Plouffe's single would put Getz over the plate. Butera and Morgan both drew walks to load the bases, but with 2 outs, Reimold hit into a force out to retire the side.

The Javelinas would get nothing off Baltimore closer Bob McCrory who sent them back to their dugout on 2 strikes and a Corona line out.

Butera finished off 1-for-3 at the plate with 1 walk and 1 RBI. Eddie Morlan (Minnesota) pitched the 8th inning, striking out 1, and taking 2 of the 3 batters he faced out on ground outs.

Former Lakeland Flying Tigers ace Burke Badenhop picked up the win after pitching 2 innings as the Peoria Saguaros downed the Surprise Rafters, 4-1. San Diego's Will Venable was 3-for-4 at the plate with 1 run and 1 RBI. Philladelphia catcher Tuffy Gosewisch was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs for the Saguaros.

Mike Carp, who played 1 whole game with the St. Lucie Mets last season, was 2-for-4 with 1 run and 2 RBIs to lead the Scottsdale Scorpions over the Mesa Solar Sox, 7-3. Toronto's Travis Snider hit his 3rd home run of the AFL season, while Caleb Stewart (NY Mets) knocked his fifth over the wall.

The Dogs take on the Scorpians Tuesday in Phoenix at 12:35 PM. Phoenix remains in 1st place in the East Division, 3 games ahead of the Solar Sox and 4.5 game in front of Scottsdale. Surprise leads the AFL West, 2 games over the Javelinas.

Former Miracle Nick Blackburn (Minnesota) is in line for AFL Pitcher of the Year honors. After getting hammered by Surprise in his first appearance -- he allowed three runs on four hits in two innings -- Blackburn has allowed only three hits in 11 scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 2.08. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter in four innings in his last outing on Tuesday against Surprise. In addition, in his last three starts, all of which came at home, opponents are hitting .086 (3-for-35) against him.

The Desert Dogs are the only AFL team with an ERA below 3.00 at 2.79. Should they continue to pitch to that mark, they will break the league record of 2.84 set by Scottsdale in 1992.

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Dogs slaughter Javelinas 12-5 in Phoenix

Peoria Javelinas 5 at Phoenix Desert Dogs 12

W: D. Haehnel (2-2, 9.00); L: J. Woerman (1-1, 1.98)
HR: PDD: J. Baisley (3).

In a case of sports imitating nature, the Phoenix Desert Dogs ganged up and slaughtered the Peoria Javelinas, 12-5 Saturday at Phoenix Municiple Stadium.

Baltimore's Hayden Penn took the start for the Desert Dogs and kept the Javelinas off the board for the first inning before Juan Miranda (NY Yankees) hit a double to start off the 2nd inning and then traded places with Justin Maxwell (Washington), who also doubled, out to left. Devin Ivany (Washington) would ground out, and Maxwell would steal 3rd, but he'd get no further as Matt Tulasosopo (Seattle) struck out and Brandon Hicks (Atlanta) ground out to end the inning.

Penn hung on until the 4th inning when he started out issuing walks to Kory Castro (Washington) and Miranda. Maxwell would single in Castro, then steal 2nd base. Ivany would strike out, but Tulasosopo hit a soft fly ball out to right that brought in Miranda and Maxwell. Hicks would be called out on strikes, but Penn's time on the hill came to an end. David Haehnel (Baltimore) replaced him on the mound, getting J. C. Holt (Atlanta) to hit a fly ball to retire the side.

That's when the Desert Dogs' bats came alive. Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) singled and Jeff Baisley (Oakland) would reach on a force attempt after 2nd baseman Corey Wimberly (Colorado) missed a catch. Jason Delaney (Oakland) would strike out swinging, but Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) drew a walk to load the bases. Jeff Fiorentino (Baltimore) hit a grounder that brought in Sweeney and Baisley. Catcher Donny Lucy (Chicago White Sox) put a fly ball out to center to plate McCutchen, while Fiorentino moved to 3rd on Maxwell's throw to the base. Blake Davis (Baltimore) singled and stole 2nd before a Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) singled, plating Lucey and Davis. Getz would make to 2nd as Maxwell was slow to get the throw off again. A passed ball by Ivaney moved Getz to 3rd. Cliff Pennington (Oakland) was issued a walk, which prompted the Javelina's field manager to take a walk to the mound. Alex Morales (Washington) replaced Joseph Woerman (Seattle), but that did not end the Javelinas woes, as another passed ball by Ivany brought Getz in.

The 6th run 4th put the Dogs into the lead, but the Javelinas tried to make it up some of the difference in the 5th. A Wimberly single, a Dexter Fowler (Colorado) double and a walk to Castro, who was hit by a pitch, loaded the bases. Miranda would hit a sac-fly to plate Wimberly, but Maxwell would ground into a double play, ending the inning before the Javelina's could extract more damange.

Baisley would walk to start out the bottom of the 5th, but Delaney ground into a force out. Delaney then stole 2nd and McCutchen walked to fill up the space. Fiorentino then walked to load the bases. Lucy would strike out before a wild pitch by Morales brounght Delaney home. Davis hit a line drive to score 2 more. Morales would be replaced by former Tampa Yankee Steven White, who got Getz to fly out to end the inning.

Jake Arrieta (Baltimore) replaced Haehnel on the mound for the 6th and struck out 3 Javelinas to retire the side. Penning took a walk in the bottom of the inning, then stole 2nd. Sweeney would single him in before Baisley hit one over the left field fence to give the Desert Dogs their 12th run of the game.

While Friday's game feature 6 Twins players, Saturday's contest saw the Dogs without any Minnesota players in their line up. While this was not popular with any Twins fans tuned in for the broadcast, it is an unfortunate side effect of co-op league baseball.

The Twins kids will take two days off as the League takes Sunday off. Phoenix travels to the Peoria Sports Complex to face the Javelinas again on Monday for an evening (7:05 PM MST) game.

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Baisley lead Dogs to late inning victory

Scottsdale 2 at Phoenix 3 (10 innings)

W: C. Hernandez (1-0, 0.00); L: C. Muniz (0-1, 3.00)
HR: None.

Jeff Baisley (Oakland) hit his 3rd double of the season out to left field to score Matt Macri (Minnesota), giving the Phoenix Desert Dogs a dramatic 3-2 win over the Scottsdale Scorpians Friday in Phoenix.

The win gives Phoenix a 12-8 record on the season, putting them 1 game ahead of Mesa in the East Division standings with just under a dozen games left to play.

Jeff Fiorentino (Baltimore) had singled to start out the bottom of the 10th, and moved to second on sac-bunt by Minnesota's Trevor Plouffe. Macri would reach on a field's choice which took Fiorentino out at 3rd. That set the stage for Baisley to bring in the game winning run.

Scottsdale lead the game early when Sergio Santos (Toronto) doubled in the 2nd inning off former Miracle Anthony Swarzak (Minnesota). Ground outs by Mike Carp (NY Mets) and Ryan Patterson (Toronto) were a costly way for the Scorpians to go, but did get the job done as Santos came over the plate for the early lead.

That would be on the only run Swarzak would give up, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 in 3 innings worth of work. He was replaced by Ryan Mullins (Minnesota) who worked another 3 innings, allowing 1 hit and strking out 3.

Meanwhile Greg Smith (Arizona), Eddie Camacho (NY Mets) and Tampa's Nick DeBarr combined to limit the Dogs to only 4 hits over the first 7 innings.

Scottsdale would added to their lead, but not until the 8th inning. Oakland's Jeff Gray allowed a single to John Jaso (Tampa Bay) and a walk to Reid Brignac (Tampa Bay) before hitting Aaron Cunningham (Arizona) with a pitch to load the bases. This promped a pitching change which brought in Baltimore's Bob McCrory for the Dogs. A passed ball by catcher Raul Padron (oakland) allowed Jaso to score before McCrory could retire the side.

The Scorpians would go with Scott Munter (San Francisco) in the 8th. Fiorentino would reach on a fielding error by Santos and then would steal 2nd. Plouffe's ground ball deflected off Scottdale first baseman Carp, which proved to be enough to bring Santos in. Macri drew a walk. The Scorpians then changed pitchers, going with the New York Mets' Carlos Muniz. Baisley would fly out before Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) singled to plate Plouffe and tie the game.

A fly out and a pair of ground outs ended Scottsdale's 9th inning bid, and while Muniz did allow a single to Padron, he'd get a pick off to first and faced only three Dogs batters in the inning.

Drew Butera (Minnesota) was inserted into the game to replace Padron in the 10th, but would not get a chance at the plate. The Dog's Chris Hernandez (Pittsburgh) allowed a single to Manny Burriss (San Francisco) in the top of the 10th, but Butera caught Burriss stealing 2nd, and a Reid Brignac (Tampa Bay) fly out ended the side to bring up Phoenix for their extra inning rally.

Plouffe would end up 1-for-2 at the plate with a pair of walks and 1 RBI, Macri, at 3rd base, was 0-for-4 with a walk and a run.

Phoenix hosts the Peoria Javelinas Saturday at 12:35 PM MST. The Javelina's lost Friday, 11-5 to the Peoria Saguaros. Detroit's Scott Sizemore would go 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs and 1 RBI for the Saguaros, while catcher Nick Hundley (San Diego) drove in 3.

The Javelina's trail West division leading Surprise by 1 game, while Saguaros sits 6 games back in that division. The Solar Sox fell to the Rafters 10-3 Friday.

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Dogs pick up late inning win

Peo Saguaros 3 at Phoenix 4

W: E. Morlan (1-0, 0.00); L: J. Anderson (0-2, 3.60)
HR: PES: T. Gosewisch (1).

Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) singled, stoled 2nd, moved to 3rd on Jason Delaney's (Pittsburgh) fly out, then came home on a Nolan Reimold (Baltimer) single to break open a 3-3 tie in the bottom fo the 9th inning and give the Phoenix Desert Dogs a 4-3 win over the Peoria Saguaros Wednesday afternoon.

Former Miracle pitcher Eduardo Morlan (Minnesota) struck out 2 batters in the 9th inning to pick up the win, his first of the 2007 Arizona Fall League season.

Peoria took an early lead when Greg Golson's (Philadelphia) doubled, then was plated on Scott Sizemore's (Detroit) single to put the Saguaros on the board. Dog's starter Jack Egbert (Chicago white Sox) gave up the run to the first 2 batters he faced.

Golson would hurt Egbert again in the 3rd, singling, then stealing 2nd and coming in on Sizemore's line drive.

However, the Desert Dogs would tie the game up in the bottom of the inning, starting out with a pair of walks by Blake Davis (Baltimore) and Matt Macri (Minnesota). Sweeney then tried for a sac-bunt, but reached base on throwing error by Greg Miller (LA Dodgers). Delaney doubled to drive in the first two runners, but a pitcher change paid dividends for the Saguaros, as Phoenix was not able to get anything else.

Tuffy Gosewisch (Philadelphia) homered off David Haehnel (Baltimore) in the 5th to again put Peoria on top.

Burke Badenhop (Detroit) would walk Reimold in the 5th, which would prove costly when Reimold made it to 3rd on Trevor Plouffe's (Minnesota) ground ball single, then crossed the plate on Drew Butera's (Minnesota) line drive to tie up the game again.

It would stay that way until Sweeney's late inning heroics ended it with the Dogs on top.

Macri was back at 3rd base for the Dogs, and was 1-for-4 with a walk and a run. He doubled in the 1st inning, but the Dog's could not capitalize, and he was left stranded. Plouffe was 1-for-4, and Buetera was 2-for-4 with 1 RBI.

Phoenix takes Thursday off, before hosting Scottsdale on Friday.

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The Twins announced that former Miracle pitcher Jason Miller, a Sarasota, Florida, native, as re-signed to a minor league contract as were pitchers Armando Gabino and Josh Hill. The Twins remain in talks with Felix Molina, Trent Oeltjen and Rochester pitcher Brian Bass.

Miller, who was treated to a major league call up last season, posted a 1-5 record in AAA Rochester with a 3.94 ERA. He appeared in 31 games, pitching 75.1 innings. Hill, who began the season with the Miracle was promoted to AA New Britain, recording a 3-2 record with a 4.36 ERA in 16 appearances (53.2) innings with the Rock Cats. His record was the same in Fort Myers (3-2) where he posted a 3.00 ERA in 17 games (39.0 innings). Gabino also enjoyed a call up to New Britain after starting the season with the Low A Beloit Snappers. Gambino pitched in 10 games (16 innings) for the Rock Cats, were he allowed 4 runs (all unearned) on 12 hits and 8 walks. He had a 2-0 record with the Cats and picked up 4 saves during his time in New Britain.

Blackburn, Desert Dogs shut out Rafters

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.

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Errors costly in Dogs defeat

Phoenix 2 at Surprise 3

W: M. Finocchi (2-0, 0.00); L: J. Gray (0-2, 5.63)
HR: SUR: S. Rodriguez (2).

The Surprise Rafter rallied back after Cleveland's Adam Miller gave up two runs to the Desert Dogs in the first, to take a late inning win.

Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) singled his way onto base on a ground ball. After Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) had popped out, Matt Macri (Minnesota) doubled, putting 2 men on. Jeff Baisley (Oakland) struck out, but Jason Delaney's (Pittsburgh) line drive to right scored the pair. Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh) would ground into a force out to end the inning.

That would be all Phoenix would get through as Miller went on to work 2 more nnings, while a series of six different relievers held the Dogs to only 3 more hits in the game.

Hayden Penn (Baltimore) made the start for Phoenix. A fielding error by Morgan put Trevor Crowe (Cleveland) on the basepaths, moving all the way to 2nd. German Duran's (Texas) line drive out to right plated him to cut the Dogs lead in half. Duran would be caught trying to stretch his hit to a double and Chris Dickerson (Cincinnati) ground out, while Craig Tatum (Cincinnati) flew out to end the inning.

James Simmons (Oakland) replaced Penn in the fourth. Sean Rodriguez (LA Angles) would greet him in the bottom of the 5th with a Rafters' home run that tied up the score.

The score would stay tied until the bottom of the ninth. A throwing error by former Miracle Trevor Plouffe (Minnesota) let Tatum onto first base. Elvis Andrus came in as a pinch runner to replace him and would move to 2nd on Kila Kaailue's (Kansas City) fly out. John Maybury's (Texas) ground out moved him to 3rd, and he scored on Ben Johnson's (LA Angels) single to end the game, giving the Rafters the win.

Macri would go 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk and a run. Plouffe was 0-for-3. Eddie Morlan worked 1 inning for the Dogs, striking out 1.

The two teams rematch tomorrow in Phoenix for a 12:35 PM MST game.

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International Play does not agree with Dogs

Phoenix 2 at Team USA 3

W: N. Musser (1-0, 0.00); L: D. Haehnel (1-2, 9.45); SV: C. Booker (1)
HR: None.

L.A.Dodger Delwyn Young was 3-for-4 at the plate with a 1 run as Team USA slid past the Phoenix Desert Dogs Saturday.

The Dogs got onto the board first, in the 4th inning, when Jeff Baisley (Oakland) singled out to center with one out and then moved over to 2nd on Matt Macri's (Minnesota) ground ball to left. A wild pitch by former Miracle Brian Duensing (Minnesota) put Baisley on 3rd. He'd come home on Andrew McCutchen's (Pittsburgh) ground out to short. Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox) would pop out to end the inning.

With Jesse Chavez (Pittsburgh) on the mound for Phoenix in the bottom of the 5th, Jason Jaramillo (Philadelphia) drew a walk. Jayson Nix (Colorado) hit into a force out which took Jaramillo down at 2nd. Nix then moved to 2nd on a Colby Rasmus (St. Louis) single and to 3rd on a wild pitch. After shortstop Brian Bixler (Pittsburgh) stuck out swinging, a combination of a single by designated hitter Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay) and a throwing error by Macri, put Nix and Rasmus over the plate to give the lead to Team USA.

Phoenix tied it up again in the top of the sixth when Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) doubled with 1 out. After Baisley struck out swinging, Macri's line drive out to center brought Delaney over the plate.

It would stay that way until the bottom of the 8th. David Haehnel (Baltimore) came into the game and took Longoria out on strikes. Young's single deflected off Cliff Pennington (Oakland) to put the Dodger's prospect onto base. Andy LaRoche (LA Dodgers) then doubled him in, giving Team USA the go ahead run.

Chris Booker, who played for Columbus of the International League last season, came in for the top of the ninth, taking Baisley out on strikes and getting Macri to ground out. He'd walk McCutchen to get at Sweeney, who struck out swinging to end the game.

Macri was 3-for-4 at the plat with 1 RBI, catcher Drew Butera was 0-for-3 at the bottom of the batting order.

Duensing finished the game with 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 1 in 2 innings, as did former Clearwater Thresher Josh Outman, who struck out 2 during his tenure on the mound.

The Dogs rest on Sunday after a tough week, and will take on the Rafters in Surprise on Monday at 12:35 PM MST.

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China has Dogs seeing Red

Team China 2 at Phoenix 1

W: Y. Zhang (1-0, 0.00); L: D. Day (0-1, 2.25); SV: L. Zhang (1)
HR: None.

In what would be the first of the international games for the Desert Dogs, Phoenix saw Team China rally back for a 2-1 victory at Phoenix Municiple Stadium.

Minnesota's Anthony Swarzak would start the game for the Dogs, pitching 3 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 3. Meanwhile Phoenix jumped on Team China's starter Tao Bu (F/A) in the first inning.

Nyjer Morgan (Pittsburgh) singled his way onto first, then stole 2nd base. With Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) at the plate, Bu would pick off Morgan at 2nd base. Getz then hit a line drive out to left, and was followed onto the bags by Ryan Sweeney (Chicago White Sox). Jason Delaney's (Pittsburgh) ground ball saw Getz of the plate but Bu would strike out Matt Macri (Minnesota) and Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) to end the inning.

Phoenix put Adam Russell (Chicago White Sox) on the mound to start the 3rd. After he got Fei Feng (F/A) to strike out, Yufeng Zhang (F/A) doubled out left. Wei Sun (F/A) would strike out as well, but Hongbo Zhang's (F/A) single brought Zhang across the plate to tie the game.

Russell would work 2 innings in the end, getting 4 strike outs. Fernando Herndandez (Chicago White Sox) and Justin Dowdy (Oakland) each worked an inning a piece for the Dogs, each getting a strike out and allowing no hits.

Bu would go 4 innings for Team China, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5. He'd be replaced by Zheng Xu (F/A) who allowed 1 walk in 2 innings while striking out 1. Yunfeng Zhang (F/A) would pick up the win for Team China in the 7th, with Weilang Li (F/A) allowing 2 hits and a balk in the 8th that the Dogs could not capitalize on.

Dewon Day (Chicago White Sox) came on for the Dogs in the 8th. Lingfeng Sun (F/A) singled his way onto the bags, moved to second on Fenglian Hou's (F/A) ground out, then to 3rd on a wild pitch by Day. Wei Wang's (F/A) sac-fly would bring him in for the game winning run.

Sweeney and Delaney would both draw walks in the 9th, and would be moved into scoring position on Macri's sac bunt, but Reimold would strike out and Raul Padron (Oakland) would pop out to end the game.

The Dogs face Team USA on Saturday at 12:35 PM MST.

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Blackburn puts Desert Dogs back in win column

Trevor Plouffe with his surfer dude hair, circa 2005

Peo Saguaros 2 at Phoenix 8

W: N. Blackburn (2-0, 3.00); L: R. Nolasco (0-1, 5.40)
HR: None.

The Phoenix Desert Dogs got back into the win column on Thursday. Former Miracle Nick Blackburn (Minnesota) allowed only 1 hit and walked 1 in 4 innings in route to the win.

Phoenix was feeling muscular early with Andrew MucCutchen (Pittsburgh) singling his way onto base in the 2nd inning, then coming home on Nolan Reimold's (Baltimore) double. Trevor Plouffe (Minnesota) then traded places with Reimold, doubling out to center. Donny Lucy's (Chicago White Sox) fly ball single saw Plouffe across the plate, to give the Dogs an early 3 run lead.

The Dogs added to their lead in the 4th with McCutchen drawing a walk, then stealing his way to 2nd. Plouffe then singled him in, and was awarded 2nd on Xavier Paul's (LA Dodgers) throw. Lucy hit a pop up single to the middle infield that plated Plouffe.

Cliff Pennington (Oakland) singled his way onto the bags in the 5th, then came home on Jason Delaney's (Oakland) triple. Jeff Baisley (Oakland) sac-fly brought Delany into give the Dogs a 7-0 lead.

Peoria finally found some offense in the 8th against Oakland's Brad Kilby. Jeff Larish (Detroit) reached on fielding error by Pennington. With 2 outs, Larish moved to 2nd on Tuffy Gosewisch's (Philadelphia) single, then came home of Paul's line drive out to center.

The Dogs took it back in the bottom of the inning, with Baisly walking, and moving to 2nd on Matt Macri's (Minnesota) line drive. McCutchen's ground out moved him to 3rd and he'd cross the plate when Reimold ground out to short.

Florida's Chris Coghlan started off the Saguaros short lived rally in the top of the 9th, finding his way onto the bags with a ground ball, then moving to 2nd on Jeff Gray's (Oakland) wild pitch. He took on 3rd on Will Venable's (San Diego) ground out, and cross the plate while Mike Costanzo (Philadelphia) was also grounding out to first. Brett Hayes (Florida) would double and Larish would walk, but Greg Golson's (Philadelphia) fly out ended the contest.

Macri would finish up 1-for-4, Plouffe would be 2-for-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Eddie Morlan (Minnesota) pitched the 6th and 7th inning, striking out 2 of the 7 batters he faced.

Phoenix faces Team China tomorrow at 12:00 PM MST. The Rising Stars game starts at 7:05 PM. Phoenix plays Team USA on Saturday.

Team USa fell to the Javelina's Thursday, 8-6. Brian Duensing, the Twins lone representative on Team USA, did not pitch in the contest.

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Javelina's down Desert Dogs, 9-5

Phoenix 5 at Peo Javelinas 9

W: M. Nix (3-0, 3.52); L: D. Haehnel (1-1, 9.53)
HR: None.

The Game between the Phoenix Desert Dogs and the Peoria Javelinas quickly turned into a slugfest, which saw the Javelinas take 9 runs on 11 hits to come out on top.

The Javelinas got on the board in the 3rd inning when Corey Wimberly (Colorado) singled, then stole 2nd. Brett Gardner's (NY Yankees) bunt moved Wimberly to 3rd and Gardner stole 2nd. Dexter Fowler (Colorado) doubled the pair in a fly ball to center.

Phoenix answered back in the top of the 4th with Blake Davis (Baltimore) and Trevor Plouffe (Minnesota) walking. Chris Getz (Chicago White Sox) sac-bunt moved the pair into scoirng position. Oakland's Jason Delaney singled them in with a line drive. The Javelinas then took Garrett Mock (Washington) off the mound, replacing him with Rich Orta (Seattle). The change did little go as Matt Macri (Minnesota) doubled to score Delaney and put the Desert Dogs on top.

They pulled away in the 5th when Minnesota's Drew Butera singled, but was taken out on Davis' force out. Davis then stole 2nd and advanced to 3rd then Javelina catcher Jeff Clement (Seattle) overthrew the base. Plouffe singled Davis in.

But the Javelinas tied the game up in the sixth, with J.C. Holt (Atlanta) taking a single off Jess Chavez (Pittsburgh) followed by a Reegie Corona (NY Yankees) ground ball single which pushed Holt to 3rd. He came home on Yung Chi Chen (Seattle) sac-fly. Corona then stole second and scored on Gardner's line drive to left.

A wild pitch by Michael Nix (Atlanta) saw Davis, who'd been walked move over to 2nd then 3rd on Getz' fly out. Delaney would double in him to put the Dogs up by one again.

It did not stay that way long however, as Clement took a double off Baltimore's David Haehnel, who then walked Kory Castro (Washington). With 2 outs, Corona took a walk to load the bases. Chen singled a pair in. A pair of walks to Gardner and Fowler forced Corona over the plate. Fernando Hernandez (Chicago White Sox) came in to get the last out.

Sunk Ki Jung (Atlanta) and Eric Wordekemper (NY Yankees) combined to shut the Dogs offense down during the next two innings, giving Peoria the win. Meanwhile the Javelinas tacked on 2 more runs in the 8th to rub salt into the Dog's wounds.

Haehnel came away with both a blown save and a loss in the game. while Nix picked up his 3rd win of the Arizona Fall League season.

Plouffe was 1-for-3 at the plate with a run, 2 walks and an RBI. Macri was 1-for-4 with a double, and Butera was 1-for-3. Plouffe walked in the 1st, but was caught stealing with Delaney at the plate to end the side.

Pheonix plays at home against Peoria Saguaros Thursday at 12:35 PM MST.

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