Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook: 10/18/17

photo: Oscar Mercado (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)

Results from the Arizona Fall League game played Wednesday, October 18th.

Peoria 6 at Surprise 4      

The Saguaros fell to the Javelinas, 6-4, on Wednesday, dropping Surprise’s record to 4-4.

The home team pushed two runs across in the ninth with the potential tying run at the plate but that is as far as they got.  Starter Benton Moss (TB) took the loss after giving up two runs, including a solo bomb, on five hits in three frames.  The righty was the first of five Saguaros’ hurlers taking the mound, none from the Cardinals’ organization.

Oscar Mercado (Springfield Cardinals)

St. Louis’ sole representative on Wednesday was center fielder Oscar Mercado, who generated one of his team’s 11 hits in all.  Mercado flied out to left in his first at bat, leaving runners on first and second as Surprise squandered a two on/none out opportunity.  The number three hitter struck out swinging in a one-two-three third against lefty Henry Owens (W, 2-0) (BOS), who held the Saguaros to a run on four hits and two walks through four.

Mercado came to the plate in the sixth with a runner on first and none out but did not come through again, popping out to second.  Another wasted opportunity for Mercado occurred in the eighth when he grounded out, 5-3, leaving the lead-off batter in scoring position at second.

But the Florida native finally delivered in the final inning.  After Texas’ Josh Morgan launched a bomb to left center, shortstop Nicky Lopez (KC) singled.  Mercado’s two-out double scored Lopez from first, bringing Surprise within two.  However, the next batter was caught looking at strike three, ending the contest.

Mercado also committed his second AFL miscue, a throwing error, but it did not affect the game’s outcome.

Thursday’s game:  vs. Mesa (3-5), 12:35 pm MST, Burch Smith (0-1, 18.00) (TB)

Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation: Bilardello Reflects on FSL Title, Palm Beach Mound Standouts

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