Today, the Scottsdale Scorpions faced the Mesa Solar Sox, both with a 14-13 record, with being eliminated from playoff contention at stake for both teams. Well, Scottsdale survived with a convincing win, and now have a 5-game winning streak and having won eight of the last nine games. Bo Davidson and Charlie Szykowny got extra-base hits today as part of the win as Scottsdale keeps rolling.
AFL: Scottsdale Scorpions 11, Mesa Solar Sox 2
Giants Prospects to Spotlight:
- 3B Charlie Szykowny: 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B (1), 1 K – Believe it or not, it took 14 games for Szykowny to hit his first double of the fall season, which now goes with a triple and two home runs. He’s 15-for-58 (.259) and has a .697 OPS, being hurt by having just two walks to go against ten strikeouts.
- LF Bo Davidson: 2-5, 1 2B (4), 2 K, 1 CS (2) – Bo Davidson got his first double (and extra base hit) in weeks as he continues a good run to finish the season. Through 17 games, he’s 15-for-53 (.283) though he has eight walks to 19 strikeouts. He has a .729 OPS.
Other Scottsdale Top Prospect Lines:
- SS Jett Williams (NYM, #52 Overall): 2-4, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K
- DH Josue Briceño (DET, #9 Team): 5-5, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 2B (4)
- C Thayron Liranzo (DET, #6 Team): 4-5, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 HR (2)
- CF Drew Gilbert (NYM, #74 Overall): 0-4, 1 BB, 2 K
- SP Kendry Rojas (TOR, #12 Team): 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Top Mesa Prospect Lines:
- CF Denzel Clarke (A’s, #10 Team): 2-5, 1 R, 1 2B (2), 1 K
- C Moises Ballesteros (CHC, #44 Overall): 2-3, 1 BB
- RF Niko Kavadas (LAA, #29 Team): 1-4, 1 K
- DH Brooks Brannon (BOS, #27 Team): 0-4, 3 K
- 3B Cole Fontenelle (LAA, #21 Team): 0-3, 1 BB, 2 K
- 2B Mac Horvath (TB, #19 Team): 0-4, 2 K
Playoff Chase Notes:
There’s two regular season games for each team left, and Scottsdale will need to win both their games, and have either Glendale or Salt River lose both of their remaining games to have a chance at the playoffs. In head-to-head records, Scottsdale has a 4-2 record against Salt River, and a 3-2 record against Glendale. (Salt River holds the advantage over Glendale in their head-to-head record.)
Here’s the remaining relevant games on the schedule:
Wednesday 11/13:
Salt River Rapids at Surprise Saguaros
Scottsdale Scorpions at Peoria Javelinas
Glendale Desert Dogs at Mesa Solar Sox
Thursday 11/14:
Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Rapids
Scottsdale Scorpions at Glendale Desert Dogs
Yep…Salt River has two games against the league’s current top team (although they are just 4-4 in their last eight games). Meanwhile, Glendale has one game against the eliminated Mesa team, but then Scottsdale will potentially control their fate with a head-to-head matchup with Glendale. Scottsdale does have a dangerous trap game against the last place Javelinas too, that they have to win.