photo: Edwin Nuñez (Palm Beach Cardinals)
Scottsdale improved to 11-6 with a Saturday victory at Salt River. Five Cardinals prospects appeared for the Scorpions. The Cardinal Nation’s Player of the Day, Edwin Nuñez, earned his second save of the AFL with a scoreless ninth inning to end Week 3.
Results from the Arizona Fall League game played Saturday, October 21st.
The Scottsdale Scorpions (11-6) edged the Salt River Rafters (9-9) on Saturday night at Salt River Fields.
Leadoff batter Victor Scott was 1-for-4 with a walk, a steal and a run scored. Scott drew a leadoff walk in the first inning, stole second base, took third when the throw went into center and came home on an error by the center fielder. TCN’s no. 11 prospect is slashing .250/.357/.292/.649 and is second in stolen bases with 10 in the AFL.
Jimmy Crooks was a late addition to the Scottsdale lineup at catcher and hit third. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and one strikeout. Crooks walked in the eighth inning before the Scorpions took the lead.
Shortstop Jeremy Rivas singled in the fourth inning but was called out at third after a wild pitch. TCN’s no. 47 prospect has a .720 OPS in 50 at-bats for Scottsdale. He has the second-most hits on the team with 15.
Cooper Hjerpe appeared in the eighth inning Saturday. TCN’s no. 7 prospect tossed a scoreless frame with two punchouts and received a hold, his first. Hjerpe has thrown 5 1/3 innings and has a 6.75 ERA with 11 strikeouts.
To close out the game, Edwin Nuñez recorded his second save of the AFL. Nuñez allowed one runner after a fielding error and a throwing error. After that, the right-hander struck out one batter and gave the Scorpions their 11th win of the season. 11 of his 13 pitches went for strikes. Nuñez is 2-for-3 in save opportunities with a 2.84 ERA in 6 1/3 innings through three weeks of the AFL season.
Scottsdale had just four singles in the contest but walked seven times. They went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and struck out 13 times. The Scorpions stole four bases and found a way to win. In the AFL, Scottsdale is in first place by one game over Peoria.
Cardinals through Week 3
Tekoah Roby has started three games for Scottsdale and has a 6.75 ERA in 6 2/3 frames. TCN’s no. 6 prospect has 11 strikeouts to three walks in his three starts.
Inohan Paniagua appeared in three games through three weeks of play with a 5.00 ERA. Paniagua has given up three home runs but also has eight strikeouts in nine innings.
Out of the bullpen, Andre Granillo has surrendered two runs in five innings for a 3.60 ERA. Granillo also has been recording strikeouts with eight compared to one walk.
Surprise is second in the six-team AFL in runs scored (124) and team OPS (.814). The Scorpions staff has the lowest ERA in the league at 4.86.
Monday’s game: vs. Glendale, TBA vs. TBA 8:30 CT (The Scorpions are off Sunday)
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