Cardinals Arizona Fall League Notebook – November 18, 2021

photo: Zack Thompson (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)

The Glendale Desert Dogs topped the Mesa Solar Sox by one run on Wednesday to move back into a first-place tie. Cardinals Brendan Donovan and Juan Yepez started and Zack Thompson pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the win.



Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Wednesday, November 17.

Desert Dogs 3 at Solar Sox 2

The Glendale Desert Dogs defeated the Mesa Solar Sox in a close 3-2 game on Wednesday. Glendale’s three-run sixth inning and strong relief work put them over the top.

Desert Dogs starter Chad Donato tossed four frames and gave up both of Mesa’s runs, one unearned. Donato struck out two and walked one.

Cardinals left hander Zack Thompson took over for Donato for the next two innings. He gave up a single and a walk but struck out two and induced a ground out to end the inning. In the sixth, Thompson walked a pair but got out of the jam with two strikeouts and a fly out. He earned his third win of the season.

Zack Thompson

Caleb Freeman and Joe Record combined to throw the final three scoreless innings for Glendale.

Mesa got on the board first with single runs in the first and the third. Glendale took the lead in the sixth with three runs. Juan Yepez, hitting third as Glendale’s first baseman, doubled to begin the inning and Korey Lee brought him home on a two-run home run to center field.  James Outman drew a walk and followed it with a stolen base. Pedro Leon also walked. Carson Taylor then singled to right to score Outman for the third run of the inning.

Second baseman Brendan Donovan hit leadoff for the Desert Dogs. He went 0-for-4 with a walk, struck out twice and grounded out twice. Yepez’ double in the sixth was his only hit. He walked, flied out, grounded out and struck out.

Glendale’s win and a loss by Surprise put the Desert Dogs into a tie for first place in the AFL West. Glendale has one game left to play while Surprise has two. The two will finish the regular season facing each other on Friday, with the division winner taking on East Division champion Mesa in Saturday’s AFL Championship Game.

Thursday’s game:  No game scheduled.
Friday’s game: Glendale (17-12) at Surprise (16-11), RHP Landon Knack vs. RHP Owen White, 12:35 pm. MT


Exclusively for members of The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Add Minor League Pitcher James Naile


Now 20% Off – 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide

Now available, The Cardinal Nation 2021 Prospect Guide is back for a fourth year. It includes over 250 pages of in-depth commentary about the very best St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguers, including dozens of color photos.

20% off Blowout Sale now underway on the spiral-bound, printed version.

TCN’s 2021 Cardinals Prospect Guide – 20% Off Blowout Sale


Not yet a member?

Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system.

Follow Marilyn Green on Twitter @Marilyncolor.

© 2021 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.