photo: Conner Capel (Springfield Cardinals FANatic Photos)
The Glendale Desert Dogs were held to just three hits in their Opening Night home loss to Surprise. The only St. Louis Cardinals participant, starting left fielder Conner Capel, singled and threw out an opposing runner at second base.
Wednesday, September 18 – Surprise Saguaros 4 at Glendale Desert Dogs 2
Glendale struggled at the plate in the season opener, collecting just three hits while allowing 10 from Surprise hitters.
Right fielder Jeren Kendall, designated hitter Micker Adolfo and left fielder Conner Capel recorded the only hits for the Desert Dogs, with both Kendall’s and Adolfo’s hits clearing the fence. However, the pair also combined for five strikeouts as they were very boom or bust at the plate. The rest of the lineup struck out seven times and took three free passes.
On the mound, Reds minor leaguer Jordan Johnson started the game and struggled in his three innings of work. The right-hander yielded a pair of runs on four hits and a walk while fanning three. He will be looking to use the AFL to improve his prospect status as he struggled at AA this season, and AAA last season, despite his advanced age of 26 years.
Gerardo Carrillo was the first man out of the bullpen, and he tossed three scoreless innings to begin his stint in the Arizona Fall League after a very successful season in the Dodgers minor league system (1.50 ERA). The 21-year-old also fanned a pair of hitters while walking none. Vince Arobio then entered the game in the seventh inning and struggled to keep runners off the bases. The 24-year-old surrendered two runs on two hits and two walks in his one inning of work. Bennett Sousa and Dauri Moreta followed out of the ‘pen and combined for two scoreless innings. Sousa is a 24-year-old who has quickly risen the minor league ladder since being drafted in the 10th round last season by the White Sox. Moreta, who struck out the side, is also coming off of a strong season in the Reds’ system.
Capel was the only Cardinals prospect to make an appearance and he performed well in the first game of the AFL season. Batting seventh, the left fielder went 1-for-3, a single, and recorded an outfield assist in the third inning when he threw out Royals minor leaguer Travis Jones at second base. The left-handed hitter struggled at the plate with AA Springfield this season, although he did hit well in a brief, 30 at-bat cameo with Memphis, and will look to show that he is better than his numbers this season suggest. Capel is The Cardinal Nation’s 35th-ranked prospect.
Thursday’s game: vs. Peoria Javelinas, 6:30 p.m. MST, LHP Bernardo Flores (CWS – season debut).
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