photo: Edwin Nuñez (Palm Beach Cardinals)
To open Week 3 of the AFL, the Scottsdale Scorpions were defeated by the Salt River Rafters at home in the ninth inning. Four Cardinals prospects appeared for the Scorpions. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Edwin Nuñez, pitched a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
Results from the Arizona Fall League game played Monday, October 16th.
The Scottsdale Scorpions (7-5) fell to the Salt River Rafters (8-5) in 96-degree heat on Thursday night at Scottsdale Stadium. Four Cardinals appeared in the contest.
Victor Scott led off the game for the Scorpions and went 0-for-3. TCN’s no. 11 prospect walked and scored a run.
Jeremy Rivas had a rough night at the plate after he was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and grounded into a double play. Rivas started at shortstop for Scottsdale.
Asked to protect a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, reliever Cooper Hjerpe blew his first save in the AFL as control problems emerged. In just 2/3 of an inning pitched, TCN’s no. 7 prospect surrendered three runs on one hit, four walks, a wild pitch and one strikeout. Just 11 of his 31 pitches went for strikes.
Edwin Nuñez tossed a clean eighth inning to hold the Scorpions’ lead. The 21-year-old gave up one hit, walked one and induced three ground ball outs. 17 of his 27 pitches were strikes.
Scottsdale was leading 6-4 with two outs in the ninth inning but Pittsburgh prospect Jase Bowen blasted a three-run home run to give the Rafters the lead. The Scorpions were unable to answer in the home ninth.
Scottsdale’s lineup went 2-for-5 with runners in scoring position. Four of their hits were for extra bases.
Tuesday’s game: vs. Mesa, TBA vs. RHP Carter Baumler 8:30 CT
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