photo: Thomas Saggese (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
The Glendale Desert Dogs were a victim of rain, with their Sunday game suspended in the first inning. Thomas Saggese struck out before play was stopped. We recap all eight Cardinals’ AFL results through Week 4.
Results from the Arizona Fall League game played on Sunday, November 3.
Glendale Desert Dogs 0 at Scottsdale Scorpions 0 (suspended)
The Glendale Desert Dogs’ (12-9) game against the Scottsdale Scorpions (9-12) was suspended during the bottom of the first due to rain on Sunday at Scottsdale Stadium.
Rain fell for a period prior to the game, but it had stopped by the 5:00 p.m. local time start. Even so, a decision was made to delay the first pitch by one hour. During that time, it did not rain at all. However, almost immediately upon the start of play, it began to pour.
Thomas Saggese was the only Cardinal in the starting lineup. The second baseman struck out in his first at-bat while hitting third in the batting order. In the above photo, fans were scurrying for cover as Saggese stepped up to the plate.
In the AFL season, Saggese is slashing .431/.554/.647/1.201, leading the Desert Dogs in batting average, OBP, and OPS while also first with 12 walks. Among AFL leaders, Saggese is first in OBP, third in OPS and tied for fifth in walks.
Cardinals Through Week 4
Catcher Leonardo Bernal has struggled offensively, going 8-for-32 (.250) with seven singles and a home run. Center fielder Nathan Church has been more reliable, hitting 12-for-36 (.333) with a triple, three RBI, and a .757 OPS.
LHP Ixan Henderson has been solid, pitching 8 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run while walking three and striking out 11. RHP Trent Baker has also been a reliable arm, posting a 1-1 record. Baker has a 2.57 ERA in seven innings pitched. The two are piggybacking starts.
LHP Alex Cornwell has had a rough start in the AFL, allowing four runs in j5 2/3 innings pitched for a 6.35 ERA. RHP Matt Svanson has put up a 7.94 ERA with a save. While he has struggled to keep runs from scoring, the reliever has fanned 12 in just 5 2/3 innings pitched.
LHP Brycen Mautz has allowed six runs in six innings pitched while striking out 10. The lefty has held the opposition to a .190 batting average against, but he has struggled with walks as he has given up more walks, six, than hits, four.
In the AFL standings, the 12-9 Desert Dogs are two games behind first place Surprise (14-7).
Monday’s game: at Salt River Rafters (12-10), TBD vs. TBD 7:30 CT.
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