ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE - Mesa Solar Sox Schedule

Schedule : Mesa Solar Sox

Record: WINS - 26 -- LOSES - 12 - Lose Championship

October (all times local unless noted)
7 Phoenix, W 3-2	Box
8 Phoenix, L 5-7	Box
9 Peo Saguaros, L 2-9	Box
10 Surprise, W 9-5	Box
11 Surprise, L 1-2	Box
13 Scottsdale, W 7-0	Box
14 Scottsdale, W 6-5	Box
15 Peo Javelinas, L 4-6
16 Peo Javelinas, L 8-9	Box
17 Peo Saguaros, W 18-10	Box
18 Peo Saguaros, W 3-1	Box
20 Surprise, W 28-1	Box
21 Surprise, W 8-3	Box
22 Scottsdale, W 11-3	Box
23 Scottsdale, W 8-6	Box
25 Surprise, W 13-6	Box
27 Peo Saguaros, L 2-13	Box
28 Peo Saguaros, W 10-1	Box
29 Scottsdale, W 10-4	Box
30 Scottsdale, W 11-6	Box
31 Peo Javelinas, W 3-2	Box

November (all times local unless noted)
1 Peo Javelinas, W 13-3	Box
3 Phoenix, L 2-5	Box
4 Peo Saguaros, L 12-13	Box
5 Phoenix, W 11-5	Box
6 Phoenix, L 2-4	Box
7 Surprise, L 4-6	Box
8 Phoenix, W 2-1	Box
10 Peo Javelinas, L 9-13	Box
11 Peo Javelinas, W 8-4	Box
12 Surprise, W 16-4	Box
13 Surprise, W 8-2	Box
14 Phoenix, W 15-7	Box
15 Phoenix, W 8-1	Box
17 Peo Javelinas, W 13-6	Box
18 Peo Javelinas, W 10-4	Box
19 Peo Saguaros, W 7-4	Box
20 Scottsdale, L 9-10	Box
22 @ Phoenix, L 4-10 (Championship)	Box

10/07/2008 8:44 PM ET

Box >

Mesa's Raynor wins opener in extras
Wells homers in first, Raynor plates game-winner in 10th
By Steve Conley / Special to MLB.com

John Raynor singled home the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and Casper Wells hit a two-run homer as the Mesa Solar Sox edged the Phoenix Desert Dogs, 3-2, in their Arizona Fall League opener on Tuesday.

Steve Clevenger walked to lead off the decisive frame, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Darwin Barney and took third on a wild pitch before Raynor plated him with his second base hit of the day. The Marlins' outfield prospect was a Southern League All-Star for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats after hitting .312 with 13 homers, 29 doubles, 104 runs scored and 51 RBIs in 126 games.

Wells (Tigers) stroked a two-run homer in the opening frame off Diamondbacks' prospect Max Scherzer. The 23-year-old left fielder split the regular season between the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps of the Midwest League and the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, hitting .269 with 27 homers and 79 RBIs in 125 games. He was named the Topps Eastern League Player of the Month for August after hitting .345 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs in 28 games.

Braves prospects Tommy Hanson and Deunte Heath each tossed two scoreless innings and Tigers farmhand Casey Fien (1-0) struck out four in two shutout frames for the win.

Scherzer, who had a 3.05 ERA and struck out 66 in 56 innings for the Diamondbacks during the regular season, went seven innings, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on four hits while striking out four. Diamondbacks farmhand Hector Ambriz (0-1) yielded one run on one hit and a walk while recording four outs.

Rusty Ryal hit a two-RBI triple and fellow Diamondbacks prospect Evan Frey went 2-for-4 and scored twice for Phoenix (0-1).

Steve Conley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/09/2008 12:25 AM ET

Box >

Arencibia's blast boosts Desert Dogs
Toronto prospect hits go-ahead homer in fifth
By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com

Toronto catching prospect J.P. Arencibia blasted a go-ahead solo homer in the fifth inning and the Phoenix bullpen came up big Wednesday as the Desert Dogs held off the Mesa Solar Sox, 7-5, in Arizona Fall League play.

Arencibia, who batted a combined .298 with 27 homers and 105 RBIs between Class A Advanced Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire this past season, snapped a 4-4 tie with his first long ball of the fall.

The two-time Florida State League Player of the Week also guided six relievers through the final seven innings after starter Chaz Roe (Rockies) was reached for four runs on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts in two frames.

Shane Lindsay (1-0) of the Rockies organization picked up the win after allowing a hit and a walk with three strikeouts over two scoreless innings. Andrew Bailey (Athletics), Reid Mahon (Diamondbacks) and Jared Lansford (Athletics) each followed with a scoreless frame before Rob Delaney (Twins) yielded a run on two hits with a strikeout in the eighth.

Oakland prospect Andrew Carnigan fanned two in a perfect ninth for his first save as the Desert Dogs (1-1) rebounded from Tuesday's season-opening 3-2 loss to the Solar Sox (1-1).

Dustin Martin (Twins) went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored for Phoenix.

Phillies prospect Tyson Brummett (0-1) took the loss after giving up a run on two hits with a strikeout over 1 1/3 innings. Mesa starter Jesse Estrada (Cubs) allowed three unearned runs on three hits with a strikeout in the opening frame.

Logan Morrison provided most of the offense for the Solar Sox, falling a triple shy of the cycle with three RBIs and two runs scored. The 21-year-old Marlins first base prospect erased a 3-0 deficit with a three-run blast off Roe in the first.

John Torenli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

TIGERS PLAYING FOR THE MESA TEAM:

PLAYER - POSITION

55 - Rudy Darrow - P
40 - Casey Fien - P
39 - Luis Marte - P
56 - Zach Simons - P

7 - Jeff Larish - 1B/3rd
66 - Will Rhymes - 2B
36 - Casper Wells - CF

No Dontrelle?

gdennis59 wrote:

No Dontrelle?

He and Dusty will be playing winter ball down south.





Tyler Flowers, Tommy Hanson,
Duente Heath, Stephen Marek,
Kristopher Medlen, Van Pope,
Matthew Young


Darwin Barney, Esmailin Caridad,
Steve Clevenger, Tyler Colvin,
Jesse Estrada, Rocky Roquet,
Nate Spears, Donald Veal


Rudy Darrow, Casey Fien, Jeff Larish,
Luis Marte, Will Rhymes, Zach Simons,
Casper Wells



Scott Cousins, Todd Doolittle,
Logan Morrison, John Raynor,
Aaron Thompson, Sean West, Tim Wood


Quintin Berry, Tyson Brummett,
Andrew Carpenter, Jason Donald,
Sergio Escalona, Lou Marson,
Patrick Overholt, Jeremy Slayden

Ohhh. I see.

10/11/2008 6:30 PM ET

Box >

Matusz proves worth the wait
Orioles' first-round pick debuts with three hitless frames
By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com

The Baltimore Orioles have to be happy with what they saw from first-round pick Brian Matusz in his much-anticipated professional debut Saturday.

The fourth overall pick in June's First-Year Player Draft tossed three hitless innings to earn his first victory in the Arizona Fall League as the Surprise Rafters held off the Mesa Solar Sox, 2-1.

Matusz, a 21-year-old left-hander who went 12-2 with a 1.71 ERA and 141 strikeouts in his final year at the University of San Diego, was coveted by many as the best available hurler in the draft.

Though Baltimore couldn't secure the 6-foot-5, 200-pound southpaw until the Aug. 15 signing deadline, Matusz (1-0) did not disappoint in his first taste of pro action. He struck out one and walked one while throwing 45 pitches, including 26 strikes.

"It's been a while -- about four months -- since I've been able to pitch in a game," said Matusz, who got some side work in with the Orioles' short-season affiliate in Aberdeen before spending two weeks at the organization's instructional complex.

"I had some nerves to begin with, but I settled down and just tried to have fun with it."

After retiring the first seven batters he faced, the Grand Junction, Co., native walked Cubs prospect Nate Spears before getting Darwin Barney (Cubs) and Quintin Berry (Phillies) on consecutive groundouts.

"I actually felt pretty good today," Matusz said. "I was able to drop my curveball in for strikes whenever I needed to. I was trying to be a little too fine with my fastball, but luckily my off-speed pitches were very good for me today."

Gilbert de la Vara followed Matusz by allowing one hit and striking out three over two scoreless frames and fellow Royals farmhand Chris Hayes worked around a two-out single in the ninth to nail down his first save of the fall.

Russell Mitchell (Dodgers) drove in both runs for the Rafters (2-3), lifting a sacrifice fly in the second and ripping an RBI single in the fourth.

Berry responded with a run-scoring double in the sixth for the Solar Sox (2-3), who were limited to four hits by six Surprise pitchers.

Mesa starter Andrew Carpenter (0-1) of the Phillies organization absorbed the loss after yielding a run on two hits and a walk in two innings.

John Torenli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/14/2008 12:57 AM ET

Box >

Cousins, Hanson drive Mesa to victory
Sox bullpen holds Scorpions in check in 7-0 shutout
By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Scott Cousins homered and Tommy Hanson tossed 2 2/3 hitless innings as the visiting Mesa Solar Sox cruised past the Scottsdale Scorpions, 7-0, on Monday.

Cousins went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the third inning as Mesa (3-3) won for the second time in three games. Fellow Marlins prospect John Raynor went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored to fuel the Solar Sox's 12-hit attack.

Van Pope (Braves), Jason Donald (Phillies) and Tyler Flowers (Phillies) each had run-scoring hits and Tyler Colvin (Cubs) added a solo homer in the eighth. Cousins, Flowers and Donald had two hits apiece in the win.

Braves prospect Hanson (1-1) fanned four, walked three and threw 32 of his 52 pitches for strikes to pick up his first AFL win. On June 25, the right-hander tossed the first no-hitter in Mississippi Braves history in the Double-A Southern League.

Marlins farmhand Todd Doolittle, Aaron Thompson and Timothy Wood combined with Donald Veal (Cubs) to hold Scottsdale to five hits over 6 1/3 innings of relief.

Angels prospect Nick Green (0-1) started for Scottsdale (1-5) and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings. Five of Scottsdale's six pitchers surrendered at least one run.

Chris Johnson (Houston) had two of the Scorpions' five hits.

Danny Wild is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/14/2008 7:08 PM ET

Box >

Raynor, Solar Sox edge Scorpions
Marlins prospect adds three to league-leading RBI total
By Steve Conley / Special to MLB.com

John Raynor drove in three runs and Nate Spears went 3-for-3 to lead the Mesa Solar Sox to a 6-5 win over the Scottsdale Scorpions, 6-5, in Arizona Fall League play Tuesday afternoon.

Mesa (4-3) trailed in the third inning, 5-0, when Spears (Cubs) tripled home Steve Clevenger. Raynor (Marlins) then drove in his first run of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly.

In the fifth, Clevenger walked and Darwin Barney and Spears stroked consecutive singles to load the bases for Raynor, who singled home two more runs. Matt Young walked to load the bases again, Scott Cousins tied it with a sacrifice fly and Young scored on a wild pitch to give the Solar Sox the lead.

Raynor has gone 10-for-20 and leads the circuit with eight RBIs in five AFL games. He was a Southern League All-Star in 2008 as well, hitting .312 with 13 homers, 29 doubles, 51 RBIs and 104 runs scored in 126 games for the Double-A Carolina Mudcats.

Spears singled in the sixth to give him four hits in his first seven AFL at-bats. The 23-year-old second base prospect was also a Southern League All-Star for the Tennessee Smokies, hitting .299 with seven homers, 22 doubles, 71 runs scored and 51 RBIs in 115 games and being named the "Best Hustler" in the league. In five games with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, Spears hit .278 (5-for-18) with five runs scored.

Tigers prospect Rudy Darrow (1-0) allowed one hit and fanned one in two shutout innings for the win, and Stephen Marek (Braves) allowed two hits but escaped a second-and-third, one-out situation in the ninth by getting Chris Pettit to line into a double play for his first save.

Red Sox farmhand Ryne Lawson (0-2) gave up four runs on three hits and three walks while recording only two outs. Scottsdale starter Jared Hughes (Pirates) allowed two runs on two hits and a walk over three innings.

Steve Conley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/15/08 6:49 PM ET
Fien continuing strong season in AFL
Right-hander's rise could continue next Spring Training

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

Casey Fien began 2008 by making an impression on Tigers manager Jim Leyland in Spring Training. With Fien's season now continuing in the Arizona Fall League, he's wrapping up his year with another impression on the organization as its top officials meet to go over the farm system.

A season that challenged Fien to make the jump from low Class A ball to the eventual closer's role at Double-A Erie before setup work for Triple-A Toledo now has him competing with some of baseball's best prospects in Arizona. So far, he's more than holding his own. It's still early, but his four scoreless innings over three outings entering Wednesday have him off to a solid start.

He started his AFL tenure by picking up the win in the Mesa Solar Sox's season opener, tossing two scoreless innings on two hits with four strikeouts before taking advantage of a 10th-inning run to earn the decision.

Since then, the outings have been shorter while pitching once every three or four days, but the results have been much the same. Not only did he toss a perfect inning apiece Saturday and again Tuesday, but he wasted few pitches doing it. He needed just four pitches to retire the Scottsdale side in order on Tuesday, the last three of them resulting in outs following a first-pitch ball to lead off the inning.

Add in his inning over the weekend, and Fien has retired his last five batters on just seven total pitches, six of them strikes. He needed seven pitches to retire the first batter he faced Saturday, eventually sending him down on a called third strike.

Team officials are meeting this week at the Tigers' Spring Training offices in Lakeland, Fla., to discuss the player-development system. In an organization that needs all the young relief pitching it can find, it's certain that Fien's name will come up in some capacity. Since the Tigers must put him on the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft in December, he'll likely spend Spring Training with the big league club.

Leyland admitted during Spring Training that he spotted Fien in a Minor League game he watched and ended up bringing him over to the big club for an appearance before camp broke.

That goes in line with what Fien displayed down the stretch at Toledo. Take away an Aug. 6 outing at Louisville, where he gave up three runs on four hits over two-thirds of an inning, and the former 20th-round pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft allowed a lone run -- a solo homer -- and 10 hits over his other 14 1/3 innings.

The efficiency wasn't the same in those outings, but he used some of those extra pitches on strikeouts -- at least one in each of his 12 appearance at Triple-A, 17 strikeouts in all over his 15 innings after striking out 42 batters over 45 2/3 innings at Erie.

One key for the Hens was that they didn't put Fien into jams down the stretch, preferring to allow him to start and finish an inning. He had just one inherited runner in his entire stretch run, and he didn't allow him to score. The only hit he allowed with runners in scoring position was a three-run homer in that Aug. 6 appearance.

Fien is one of two Tigers prospects off to fast starts in Arizona. Erie second baseman Will Rhymes, called up to the AFL when Michael Hollimon underwent surgery last month to repair a torn labrum, put up back-to-back two-hit games last week on his way to a 6-for-21 (.286) start with two runs scored and three RBIs. He was an even 4-for-8 (.500) with runners on base through Tuesday.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Whooo Casey! I think he would make a nice addition to our pen next year.

10/15/2008 7:29 PM ET

Box >

Javelinas' Jackson ends slump
Falls homer shy of cycle, scores twice to beat Mesa
By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com

Austin Jackson didn't waste any time breaking out of his Arizona Fall League slump Wednesday.

The highly touted New York Yankees outfield prospect snapped a four-game hitless skid by falling a homer shy of the cycle, scoring twice and driving in a run to help the Peoria Javelinas top the Mesa Solar Sox, 6-4.

Jackson, who batted .285 with nine homers, 69 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 131 games at Double-A Trenton this season, got off to a hot start in the AFL, going 3-for-8 with a triple and five RBIs in his first two games.

However, the Yankees' eighth-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft was unable to build on those gaudy numbers as he went 0-for-13 with four strikeouts over his next four contests.

"I think that's just baseball," said Jackson, who was named the Eastern League's postseason MVP after leading the Thunder to their second straight championship. "You can't really get down on four games if you're not hitting. I'm just trying to get my work done down here and the outcome is not always what you would like."

Undaunted, the 21-year-old Texas native went to work early on Wednesday, ripping a sharp single to right field in the opening frame, smacking an RBI triple in the third and sparking the Javelinas' four-run rally in the fifth with a leadoff double.

"It was a first-pitch fastball and I didn't want to wait around," Jackson said of his first two-base hit of the fall. "I had faced [Phillies prospect Tyson Brummett) in Double-A this year and I knew he had a good curveball. So I just waited for the fastball and hit it."

Jackson, who flied to center in the sixth and popped out to second in the eighth, lifted his average from .143 to .231 with his first multi-hit performance since going 2-for-4 with four RBIs in his fall debut on Oct. 7 against Surprise.

"I tried [to complete the cycle) the first time up, but the second time I was just trying to get a base hit," he added.

Yankees prospect Juan Miranda continued his sizzling fall by plating Jackson twice with an RBI groundout in the third and a run-scoring two-base hit in the fifth. Miranda is hitting .563 with five doubles and four RBIs in four games with Peoria (4-4).

Rhyne Hughes (Rays), Chris Valaika (Reds) and Lorenzo Cain (Brewers) collected two hits apiece for the Javelinas, who had dropped four in a row following a 3-0 start.

Peoria starter Wade Townsend (1-0) of the Rays organization picked up his first win of the fall, despite surrendering four runs -- two earned -- on four hits with two strikeouts in four innings.

Five Javelinas relievers held the Solar Sox at bay over the next five frames as Brewers farmhand David Welch got John Raynor (Marlins) to pop out with the bases loaded in the ninth for his first save.

Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) blasted a two-run homer, his second of the fall, and Jeff Larish (Tigers) went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored for Mesa (4-4), which had won two straight.

Phillies prospect Tyson Brummett (0-2) took the loss in relief after giving up four runs on five hits and a walk while retiring two batters.

John Torenli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/16/2008 7:02 PM ET

Box >

Turner leads Javelinas' late rally
Reds prospect ties game, scores go-ahead run in eighth
By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Reds prospect Justin Turner hit a game-tying RBI single and scored the go-ahead run to cap a three-run eighth-inning rally as the Peoria Javelinas beat the visiting Mesa Solar Sox, 9-8, on Thursday.

Peoria trailed, 8-6, after seven innings, but rallied to take the lead in the eighth against Marlins reliever Todd Doolittle. Greg Halman (Mariners) hit an RBI triple to left to plate Rhyne Hughes (Rays) before Turner lined a single off Doolittle's glove and into left field to score Halman for the tying run.

Turner, who had just five steals during the regular season, swiped second and Kevin Russo (Yankees) followed with a bloop RBI single to left for a 9-8 advantage.

The Javelinas (5-4) took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run single from Hughes. Brewers infielder Taylor Green slugged a two-run homer in the third to give Peoria a 4-2 edge.

Mariners prospect Joe Woerman (1-1) pitched a perfect eighth for the win before Omar Aguilar (Brewers) worked the ninth for his first save.

Milwaukee right-hander Jeremy Jeffress started and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks over 3 1/3 innings for Peoria.

Mesa (4-5) scored three in the fifth to snag the lead when Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) hit an RBI double and Braves catcher Tyler Flowers blasted a two-run homer to left for a 6-4 edge. Van Pope (Braves) and Darwin Barney (Cubs) added RBI singles in the seventh.

Doolittle (0-1) recorded just one out and was charged with three runs on four hits to absorb the loss. Luis Marte (Tigers) started and surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on five hits and a walk over three frames.

Danny Wild is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/17/2008 8:24 PM ET

Box >

Larish leads Mesa's late surge
Tigers prospect goes 3-for-5 with double and four RBIs
By Alan Friedman / Special to MLB.com

Tigers prospect Jeff Larish went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and scored twice Friday as the Mesa Solar Sox erupted for eight runs in the ninth inning en route to an 18-10 victory over the Peoria Saguaros.

Larish, who was batting .189 with one RBI in his first 10 Arizona Fall League games, ripped a run-scoring single in the third, delivered a two-run double in the fourth and capped his big day by contributing an RBI base hit during the Solar Sox's tiebreaking outburst in the final frame.

"It's the best game I've had out here," Larish said. "They had me make a couple of adjustments when I was up [with the Tigers in September]. They were trying to get me in a better position to hit when the ball is in the zone. [The AFL] gives me an opportunity to work on that in game situations."

The 26-year-old first baseman, selected by the Tigers in the fifth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, hit .250 with 21 homers and 64 RBIs at Triple-A Toledo this season after earning the organization's Minor League Player of the Year award at Double-A Erie in 2007.

Larish also batted .260 with two homers and 16 RBIs in 42 big league games this year.

"I'm not where I want to be yet, but it was a good day," he added. "I was hitting line drives and hitting them fairly hard. I'm gradually feeling better at the plate. This game is a game of adjustments. I feel like each day I figure out a little something that helps me get better. A game like this really helps me to move forward."

Fellow Tigers prospect Will Rhymes went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored to raise his AFL average to .382 through eight games.

Cubs farmhand Nate Spears, whose run-scoring single snapped a 10-10 tie in the ninth, finished 3-for-6 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored for Mesa (5-5). Casper Wells (Tigers), Jason Donald (Phillies), Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) and Steve Clevenger (Cubs) also drove in runs during the late barrage.

Tigers prospect Casey Fien (2-0) picked up the win in relief after allowing two hits and striking out three in 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Shane Robinson (Cardinals) homered and drove in four runs and Cole Armstrong (White Sox) went 4-for-5 with an RBI to raise his fall average to .385 for the Saguaros (8-2).

Eddie Kunz (0-1) of the Mets organization surrendered eight runs on seven hits and a walk while retiring one batter in the ninth.

Alan Friedman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/18/2008 7:12 PM ET

Box >

Hanson almost perfect for Mesa
Heralded Braves prospect fans nine in four no-hit innings
By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com

Tommy Hanson is looking more and more like a Major League hurler in the Arizona Fall League.

The heralded Braves prospect extended his fall scoreless streak to 8 2/3 innings Saturday, striking out nine over four no-hit frames to lead the Mesa Solar Sox to a 3-1 victory over the Peoria Saguaros.

Hanson (2-0), who went a combined 11-5 with a 2.41 ERA in 25 starts between Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach and Double-A Mississippi this season, has raised his game a notch in the AFL. The 22-year-old right-hander has yielded only one hit and three walks with 14 strikeouts in his first three outings.

"Hopefully, [the Braves will] give me a chance and I can prove that I belong there," Hanson said. "I hope I can do well and try to stay up there. I'm real confident with all my pitches and I plan to just keep attacking hitters."

On Saturday, Hanson was nearly perfect, fanning five of the first six batters he faced and setting down 10 in a row before hitting Padres prospect Mike Baxter with one out in the fourth. The Tulsa, Okla., native responded by striking out Chad Huffman (Padres) and getting Shawn Bowman (Mets) to pop out to second.

"Everything was working for me today," he said. "Home plate felt really close and I felt like I could put the ball anywhere I needed to put it. It was just one of those days where it was going where I wanted it to go."

Fellow Braves farmhand Deunte Heath struck out the first batter he faced in the fifth before surrendering a single to Kyle Blanks (Padres). Heath, Tyson Brummett (Phillies), Kris Medlen (Braves), Sergio Escalona (Phillies) and Stephen Marek (Braves) combined to limit the league-leading Saguaros (8-3) to an unearned run on five hits with six strikeouts over the final five frames.

Marek struck out Steven Hill (Cardinals) with a runner on first in the ninth to nail down his second AFL save.

Signed by Atlanta as a draft-and-follow pick in the 22nd round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Hanson has emerged as the Braves' top young pitcher. He led the organization with 163 strikeouts this year and tossed the first no-hitter in Mississippi history against Birmingham on June 25, striking out a career-high 14 in the process.

"I kind of feel like it's just rolled over from the regular season," Hanson said. "I'm doing the same things here that I was during the season. Hopefully, I'll keep having success."

Matt Young (Braves) provided the Solar Sox (6-5) with all the offense they'd need, blasting a three-run homer, his first of the fall, in the fourth.

Stefan Gartrell (White Sox) went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored for Peoria, which has dropped two in a row for the first time this fall.

Cardinals prospect Justin Fiske (0-1) took the loss after surrendering three runs -- two earned -- on two hits and a walk in one inning. Peoria starter Cory VanAllen (Nationals) gave up two hits and fanned three in three scoreless frames.

John Torenli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/20/2008 8:04 PM ET

Box >

Donald, Mesa steamroll Surprise
Phils prospect collects four hits, four RBIs and four runs scored
By Steve Conley / Special to MLB.com

Phillies prospect Jason Donald and Marlins farmhand Scott Cousins fueled the most prolific offensive performance in the Arizona Fall League this season.

Donald went 4-for-7 with a homer, four RBIs and four runs scored and Cousins was 3-for-5 with a homer, five RBIs and scored three times as the Mesa Solar Sox used a 24-hit attack to rout the Surprise Rafters, 28-1, on Monday.

Mesa (7-5) actually trailed entering the bottom of the second, but scored multiple runs in seven straight innings while taking advantage of eight Surprise errors in the fall's most lopsided contest thus far.

"I've never been on the other side of a game like this," said Donald, who is hitting .417 in 11 AFL games. "I've actually never been on this side of a game like this. It was a tough day for them, but that's baseball. It happens."

After Steve Clevenger (Cubs) doubled in a run in the second and Cousins singled in another, the Solar Sox broke the game open by scoring eight times on seven hits in the third.

Four straight singles by Nate Spears (Cubs), Donald, Jeff Larish (Tigers) and Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) produced the first two runs. Clevenger followed with his second two-base hit of the day and Cousins plated two more runs with a single.

A throwing error by catcher Lucas May (Dodgers) on a double-steal attempt allowed Clevenger to score, Darwin Barney (Cubs) and Matt Young (Braves) walked and John Raynor (Marlins) lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the fifth run of the inning. After Spears struck out, Donald capped the rally by driving in two runs with his second single of the inning.

"One through nine we've all had solid at-bats the last few days," Donald said of Mesa's attack, which has produced 49 runs on 55 hits during a three-game winning streak.

"We're just concerned with having good approaches and today was one of those days where everyone had good results. I think it shows just how badly guys here want to get to the Major Leagues."

After scoring three times in the fourth, Mesa tacked on seven more in the fifth. Cousins hit a two-run homer, his second of the fall, Young, Raynor and Spears stroked successive RBI doubles and Donald connected for his first AFL homer, a two-run shot that opened a 20-1 cushion.

Cousins played a total of 78 games at three Minor League levels this season, hitting .285 with 10 homers, 16 doubles, 38 RBIs and 50 runs scored. He finished the year with Double-A Carolina, where he batted .267 with nine RBIs and 15 runs scored over his final 26 contests.

Young, who fell a homer shy of the cycle, highlighted a three-run sixth with a two-run triple. The 26-year-old outfield prospect was a Southern League All-Star in 2008 for Double-A Mississippi after hitting .289 with 16 doubles, 11 triples and 50 RBIs in 135 games.

Eight of the nine hitters in the Solar Sox's lineup had multiple hits and runs scored and five contributed at least three hits and two RBIs.

Slayden raised his AFL-best RBI total to 13 and Donald paces the circuit with 12 runs scored. The 24-year-old infielder hit .307 with 14 homers, 19 doubles and 54 RBIs in 92 games with Double-A Reading and was named both an Eastern League All-Star and a Futures Game selection in 2008.

Despite his successful season, the University of Arizona product is working as hard as ever this fall.

"I went to instructs after the season ended to learn the basics of second and third [base]," said Donald, who played shortstop all year. "I want to get a feel at those positions and what I need to do to play those two spots."

Donald is also keeping close tabs on the parent club's progress this October as Philadelphia will visit Tampa Bay for Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday.

"It's an exciting time to be a part of this organization," he said. "It drives me more when I see that and it makes you want to be a part of something special. I can only hope to experience that one day too."

While Mesa's offense was busy putting on a show, five pitchers quietly held Surprise to only three hits. Jesse Estrada (1-0) went the first four innings, allowing a run on two hits while striking out three and walking one.

Fellow Cubs farmhands Esmailin Caridad and Donald Veal and Tigers prospect Zach Simons each tossed a scoreless inning before Rocky Roquet (Cubs) allowed one hit over the final two frames.

Surprise starter Josh Tomlin (1-1) of the Indians organization surrendered nine runs on nine hits and two walks in two innings.

Nolan Reimold (Orioles) hit his first homer of the fall for the Rafters (4-8).

Steve Conley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

	October 21, 2008

Mesa 8 - Surprise 3

Mesa Top 1st

• Quintin Berry pops out to first baseman Beau Mills.
  
• Dropped foul pop error by third baseman John Whittleman.
  
• Will Rhymes strikes out swinging.
  
• Matt Young grounds out softly, pitcher Justin Orenduff to first baseman Beau Mills.
  

Surprise Bottom 1st

• Julio Borbon pops out to shortstop Nate Spears.
  
• Ivan De Jesus lines out sharply to left fielder Matt Young.
  
• Matt Wieters grounds out, third baseman Van Pope to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  

Mesa Top 2nd

• Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Chris McConnell to first baseman Beau Mills.
  
• Tyler Flowers homers (2) on a line drive to left field.
  
• Logan Morrison flies out to right fielder Andrew Lambo.
  
• Casper Wells hit by pitch.
  
• Van Pope strikes out on foul tip.
  

Surprise Bottom 2nd

• Beau Mills grounds out to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  
• Nolan Reimold homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field.
  
• John Whittleman called out on strikes.
  
• Brandon Snyder lines out softly to right fielder Casper Wells.
  

Mesa Top 3rd

• Nate Spears strikes out swinging.
  
• Quintin Berry called out on strikes.
  
• Will Rhymes walks.
  
• With Matt Young batting, wild pitch by Justin Orenduff, Will Rhymes to 2nd.
  
• Matt Young flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.
  

Surprise Bottom 3rd

• Andrew Lambo walks.
  
• Chris McConnell strikes out swinging.
  
• Julio Borbon grounds out, pitcher Sean West to first baseman Jeff Larish. Andrew Lambo to 2nd.
  
• Ivan De Jesus lines out to right fielder Casper Wells.
  

Mesa Top 4th

• Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Chris McConnell to first baseman Beau Mills.
  
• Tyler Flowers homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.
  
• Logan Morrison flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.
  
• Casper Wells strikes out swinging.
  

Surprise Bottom 4th

• Matt Wieters called out on strikes.
  
• Beau Mills flies out to left fielder Matt Young.
  
• Nolan Reimold flies out to left fielder Matt Young.
  

Mesa Top 5th

• Pitcher Change: Bob McCrory replaces Justin Orenduff.
  
• Van Pope flies out to right fielder Andrew Lambo.
  
• Nate Spears flies out to center fielder Julio Borbon.
  
• Quintin Berry reaches on throwing error by catcher Matt Wieters.
  
• Will Rhymes singles on a fly ball to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Quintin Berry to 2nd.
  
• With Matt Young batting, wild pitch by Bob McCrory, Quintin Berry to 3rd. Will Rhymes to 2nd.
  
• Matt Young doubles (3) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Julio Borbon. Quintin Berry scores. Will Rhymes scores.
  
• Jeff Larish lines out sharply to left fielder Nolan Reimold.
  

Surprise Bottom 5th

• John Whittleman singles on a fly ball to left fielder Matt Young.
  
• Brandon Snyder singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Young. John Whittleman to 2nd.
  
• Coaching visit to mound.
  
• Andrew Lambo flies out to right fielder Casper Wells.
  
• Chris McConnell flies out to left fielder Matt Young.
  
• Julio Borbon grounds out, second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  

Mesa Top 6th

• Pitcher Change: Brent Leach replaces Bob McCrory.
  
• Tyler Flowers singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Julio Borbon, deflected by second baseman Chris McConnell.
  
• With Logan Morrison batting, Tyler Flowers advances to 2nd on a balk.
  
• Logan Morrison grounds out, pitcher Brent Leach to first baseman Beau Mills.
  
• Casper Wells strikes out swinging.
  
• Van Pope grounds out, third baseman John Whittleman to first baseman Beau Mills.
  

Surprise Bottom 6th

• Pitcher Change: Tim Wood replaces Sean West.
  
• Ivan De Jesus grounds out, second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  
• Matt Wieters grounds out, second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  
• Surprise Rafters catcher Matt Wieters ejected by 3B umpire John Tumpane.
  
• Beau Mills homers (1) on a fly ball to center field.
  
• Nolan Reimold grounds out, third baseman Van Pope to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  

Mesa Top 7th

• Defensive Substitution: Lucas May replaces catcher Matt Wieters, batting 3rd, playing catcher.
  
• Nate Spears walks.
  
• Quintin Berry singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Beau Mills. Nate Spears to 2nd.
  
• Will Rhymes singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman John Whittleman. Nate Spears to 3rd. Quintin Berry to 2nd.
  
• Matt Young grounds out, first baseman Beau Mills to pitcher Brent Leach. Nate Spears scores. Quintin Berry to 3rd. Will Rhymes to 2nd.
  
• Jeff Larish out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Julio Borbon. Quintin Berry scores. Will Rhymes to 3rd.
  
• Tyler Flowers grounds out, third baseman John Whittleman to first baseman Beau Mills.
  

Surprise Bottom 7th

• Pitcher Change: Aaron Thompson replaces Tim Wood.
  
• John Whittleman grounds out, first baseman Jeff Larish to pitcher Aaron Thompson.
  
• Brandon Snyder walks.
  
• With Andrew Lambo batting, Brandon Snyder advances to 2nd on a balk.
  
• Andrew Lambo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Quintin Berry. Brandon Snyder scores.
  
• Chris McConnell called out on strikes.
  
• Julio Borbon walks. Andrew Lambo to 2nd.
  
• Ivan De Jesus grounds out, pitcher Aaron Thompson to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  

Mesa Top 8th

• Pitcher Change: John Bannister replaces Brent Leach.
  
• Logan Morrison singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Andrew Lambo.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Darwin Barney replaces Logan Morrison.
  
• Casper Wells strikes out swinging.
  
• Van Pope called out on strikes.
  
• Mesa Solar Sox third baseman Van Pope ejected by HP umpire Manuel Gonzalez.
  
• Nate Spears walks. Darwin Barney to 2nd.
  
• Quintin Berry grounds out, second baseman Chris McConnell to first baseman Beau Mills.
  

Surprise Bottom 8th

• Darwin Barney remains in the game as the designated hitter.
  
• Defensive Substitution: Jason Donald replaces third baseman Van Pope, batting 8th, playing third base.
  
• Pitcher Change: Todd Doolittle replaces Aaron Thompson.
  
• Lucas May strikes out swinging.
  
• Beau Mills flies out to left fielder Matt Young.
  
• Nolan Reimold grounds out, shortstop Nate Spears to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  

Mesa Top 9th

• Pitcher Change: Gilbert de la Vara replaces John Bannister.
  
• Will Rhymes flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.
  
• Matt Young flies out to left fielder Nolan Reimold.
  
• Jeff Larish singles on a ground ball to right fielder Andrew Lambo.
  
• Tyler Flowers singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Nolan Reimold. Jeff Larish to 2nd.
  
• Darwin Barney doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Julio Borbon. Jeff Larish scores. Tyler Flowers scores.
  
• Casper Wells pops out to shortstop Ivan De Jesus.
  

Surprise Bottom 9th

• Pitcher Change: Casey Fien replaces Todd Doolittle.
  
• John Whittleman strikes out swinging.
  
• Brandon Snyder flies out to right fielder Casper Wells.
  
• Andrew Lambo grounds out, pitcher Casey Fien to first baseman Jeff Larish.
  

10/22/08 8:37 PM ET

Box >

Morrison perfect as Sox roll
Marlins prospect goes 5-for-5 as Mesa slams Scottsdale

By Steve Conley / Special to MLB.com

Logan Morrison went 5-for-5 and fellow Marlins prospect Scott Cousins drove in four runs Wednesday as the Mesa Solar Sox rolled to their fifth straight win, an 11-3 triumph over the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Morrison singled in the first, fourth and fifth innings, scoring on Cousins' three-run double in the fifth. He singled and scored again in the seventh before plating a run with another base hit in the eighth.

The 21-year-old infielder was named Florida State League MVP after hitting .332 with 13 homers, 38 doubles and 74 RBIs in 130 games for Class A Advanced Jupiter. He was twice named Player of the Week and was Topps FSL Player of the Month in July after batting .396 with four homers, eight doubles and 16 RBIs in 26 games.

Jason Donald went 4-for-6 to raise his Arizona Fall League average to .452 (19-for-42). Fellow Phillies farmhand Quintin Berry was 3-for-5 with an RBI single and two runs scored for Mesa (8-5).

Solar Sox starter Luis Marte (1-1), a Tigers farmhand, yielded one run on four hits while striking out eight over four innings for the win.

Scorpions starter Clay Buchholz (1-1), who spent much of the regular season with the Boston Red Sox, allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk with two strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings.

Ryan Rohlinger (Giants) hit his second homer of the fall and Mark Wagner (Red Sox) went 2-for-4 for Scottsdale (5-9).

Steve Conley is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/23/08 8:45 PM ET

Box >

Morrison, Sox walk off with win
Marlins prospect caps comeback with two-run shot in ninth

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Marlins prospect Logan Morrison slugged a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday to give the Mesa Solar Sox a dramatic 8-6 victory over the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Morrison, the reigning Florida State League Player of the Year, hit his second Arizona Fall League homer to right field off Beau Vaughan (1-2) to complete the Solar Sox's comeback. The 21-year-old first baseman went 5-for-5 with an RBI against Scottsdale on Wednesday.

Mesa trailed, 6-3, heading into the seventh, but scored five runs over the final three frames to snag its 10th win of the fall.

Morrison hit .332 with 13 homers and 74 RBIs in 130 games for Class A Advanced Jupiter during the regular season. He was an FSL All-Star, earned July Player of the Month honors, was twice named the league's Player of the Week and was also tabbed a Baseball America Minor League All-Star.

Darwin Barney (Cubs) and Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) each drove in a run in the seventh and Nate Spears (Cubs) forged a 6-6 tie with an RBI single in the eighth for Mesa (10-5).

Braves farmhand Stephen Marek (1-0) needed only seven pitches to toss a perfect ninth for the win. Solar Sox starter Andrew Carpenter (Phillies) allowed a run on three hits and two walks over four innings.

Vaughan (Red Sox) recorded two outs and was charged with two runs on two hits. Scottsdale starter Kevin Pucetas (Giants) gave up a pair of runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in four innings.

Drew Sutton (Astros) belted a solo homer in the sixth and stroked a two-run triple in the seventh for the Scorpions (5-10). Chris Pettit (Angels), Chris Johnson (Astros) and Brian Bogusevic (Astros) each drove in a run.

Danny Wild is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/23/08 8:45 PM ET

Box >

Morrison, Sox walk off with win
Marlins prospect caps comeback with two-run shot in ninth

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Marlins prospect Logan Morrison slugged a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday to give the Mesa Solar Sox a dramatic 8-6 victory over the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Morrison, the reigning Florida State League Player of the Year, hit his second Arizona Fall League homer to right field off Beau Vaughan (1-2) to complete the Solar Sox's comeback. The 21-year-old first baseman went 5-for-5 with an RBI against Scottsdale on Wednesday.

Mesa trailed, 6-3, heading into the seventh, but scored five runs over the final three frames to snag its 10th win of the fall.

Morrison hit .332 with 13 homers and 74 RBIs in 130 games for Class A Advanced Jupiter during the regular season. He was an FSL All-Star, earned July Player of the Month honors, was twice named the league's Player of the Week and was also tabbed a Baseball America Minor League All-Star.

Darwin Barney (Cubs) and Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) each drove in a run in the seventh and Nate Spears (Cubs) forged a 6-6 tie with an RBI single in the eighth for Mesa (10-5).

Braves farmhand Stephen Marek (1-0) needed only seven pitches to toss a perfect ninth for the win. Solar Sox starter Andrew Carpenter (Phillies) allowed a run on three hits and two walks over four innings.

Vaughan (Red Sox) recorded two outs and was charged with two runs on two hits. Scottsdale starter Kevin Pucetas (Giants) gave up a pair of runs on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts in four innings.

Drew Sutton (Astros) belted a solo homer in the sixth and stroked a two-run triple in the seventh for the Scorpions (5-10). Chris Pettit (Angels), Chris Johnson (Astros) and Brian Bogusevic (Astros) each drove in a run.

Danny Wild is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/25/08 7:35 PM ET

Box >

Flowers continues power surge
Braves prospect homers for fourth time in three games

By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com

Tyler Flowers didn't let a hitless night in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Showcase get in the way of his recent power surge.

The Braves prospect homered for the third straight game Saturday as the streaking Mesa Solar Sox won their seventh in a row with a 13-6 victory over the Surprise Rafters.

Flowers, who hit .288 with 17 homers and 88 RBIs in 122 games at Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach this season, went 0-for-2 with a run scored for the American Rising Stars in Friday's 7-6 loss to the National Division in the third annual fall event.

"Everyone was into it," Flowers said of the Showcase. "It felt like what I imagine a real All-Star Game in the Majors would feel like. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it."

Atlanta's 33rd-round selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft had gone 5-for-8 with three homers, three RBIs and four runs scored in his previous two AFL contests. The 22-year-old catcher picked up where he left off on Saturday, striking out in the second before launching a two-run shot in the fourth.

"I've always had pretty good power," Flowers said. "I was just never able to elevate balls. They've been kind of line-drive home runs. I don't try to hit home runs. I just try to hit through the ball."

Flowers doubled during Mesa's three-run fifth and drew a walk in the middle of a six-run outburst in the sixth before being lifted for defensive replacement Tuffy Gosewisch (Phillies) in the seventh.

The Roswell, Ga., native is hitting a sizzling .467 with five homers and eight RBIs this fall.

"It's not much of a secret," Flowers said of his hot hitting. "I'm just hitting the pitches that look good. I guess it's pitch selection as well. I try to allow the pitcher to make a mistake. You see a lot of guys overly aggressive on the first pitch. Sometimes that's not the best pitch to hit in that at-bat."

Flowers was far from the only big contributor to the Solar Sox's 18-hit attack. Phillies outfield prospect Quintin Berry fell a triple shy of the cycle, drove in four runs and scored three times and Tigers farmhand Jeff Larish also missed the cycle by a triple, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

Casper Wells (Tigers) went 3-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored and Matt Young (Braves) added two hits, an RBI and scored three times for the Solar Sox (11-5), who remained in a first-place tie with the Peoria Saguaros in the American Division.

Esmailin Caridad (1-0) struck out one in 1 1/3 innings of perfect relief to pick up the win. Fellow Cubs prospect Jesse Estrada surrendered three runs on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts over the first 2 2/3 frames.

Wes Hodges went 3-for-5 with two homers and three RBIs and fellow Indians farmhand Beau Mills added a solo blast for the Rafters (4-12), who have dropped five in a row.

Indians Minor Leaguer Josh Tomlin (1-2) was pounded for seven runs -- four earned -- on eight hits with a strikeout in one inning. Surprise starter Willie Eyre (Rangers) gave up two runs on four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts in four frames.

John Torenli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

October 27, 2008
Peo Saguaros - 13
Mesa - 2


Peo Saguaros Top 1st

• Shane Robinson walks.
  
• Brett Wallace called out on strikes.
  
• With Chad Huffman batting, Shane Robinson steals (5) 2nd base.
  
• Chad Huffman walks.
  
• Cole Armstrong grounds into double play, second baseman Jason Donald to shortstop Nate Spears to first baseman Logan Morrison. Chad Huffman out at 2nd.
  

Mesa Bottom 1st

• Quintin Berry grounds out softly, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Matt Young strikes out swinging, catcher Cole Armstrong to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Jeremy Slayden grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 2nd

• Sean Kazmar singles on a soft pop up to second baseman Jason Donald.
  
• Bill Rhinehart doubles (3) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Quintin Berry. Sean Kazmar scores.
  
• Gordon Beckham lines out to left fielder Matt Young.
  
• Josh Thole hit by pitch.
  
• Coaching visit to mound.
  
• Ian Desmond walks. Bill Rhinehart to 3rd. Josh Thole to 2nd.
  
• Shane Robinson walks. Bill Rhinehart scores. Josh Thole to 3rd. Ian Desmond to 2nd.
  
• Brett Wallace walks. Josh Thole scores. Ian Desmond to 3rd. Shane Robinson to 2nd.
  
• Coaching visit to mound.
  
• Pitcher Change: Pat Overholt replaces Sean West.
  
• With Chad Huffman batting, wild pitch by Pat Overholt, Ian Desmond scores. Shane Robinson to 3rd. Brett Wallace to 2nd.
  
• Chad Huffman walks.
  
• Cole Armstrong reaches on fielding error by first baseman Logan Morrison. Shane Robinson scores. Brett Wallace to 3rd. Chad Huffman to 2nd.
  
• Sean Kazmar out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Quintin Berry. Brett Wallace scores.
  
• Bill Rhinehart doubles (4) on a sharp line drive to center fielder Quintin
  Berry. Chad Huffman scores. Cole Armstrong scores.
  
• Gordon Beckham grounds out, shortstop Nate Spears to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  

Mesa Bottom 2nd

• Logan Morrison grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Jason Donald reaches on fielding error by third baseman Brett Wallace.
  
• With Scott Cousins batting, wild pitch by Lucas Harrell, Jason Donald to 2nd.
  
• Scott Cousins strikes out swinging.
  
• Van Pope singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chad Huffman. Jason Donald to 3rd.
  
• Steve Clevenger called out on strikes.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 3rd

• Josh Thole flies out to right fielder Scott Cousins.
  
• Ian Desmond walks.
  
• Coaching visit to mound.
  
• Shane Robinson pops out to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  
• Brett Wallace homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Ian Desmond scores.
  
• Chad Huffman grounds out softly, catcher Steve Clevenger to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  

Mesa Bottom 3rd

• Nate Spears lines out to left fielder Chad Huffman.
  
• Quintin Berry called out on strikes.
  
• Matt Young singles on a ground ball to second baseman Gordon Beckham.
  
• Jeremy Slayden grounds into a force out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to shortstop Ian Desmond. Matt Young out at 2nd.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 4th

• Pitcher Change: Kris Medlen replaces Pat Overholt.
  
• Cole Armstrong grounds out to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  
• Sean Kazmar strikes out swinging.
  
• Bill Rhinehart grounds out, second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  

Mesa Bottom 4th

• Pitcher Change: Carlos Torres replaces Lucas Harrell.
  
• Logan Morrison singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Shane Robinson.
  
• Jason Donald singles on a ground ball to center fielder Shane Robinson. Logan Morrison to 2nd.
  
• Scott Cousins flies out to left fielder Chad Huffman. Logan Morrison to 3rd. Jason Donald to 2nd.
  
• Van Pope called out on strikes.
  
• Steve Clevenger singles on a soft ground ball to left fielder Chad Huffman. Logan Morrison scores. Jason Donald scores.
  
• Nate Spears hit by pitch. Steve Clevenger to 2nd.
  
• Quintin Berry called out on strikes.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 5th

• Gordon Beckham singles on a sharp line drive to left fielder Matt Young.
  
• Josh Thole strikes out swinging.
  
• Ian Desmond singles on a line drive to left fielder Matt Young. Gordon Beckham to 2nd.
  
• Shane Robinson grounds into double play, shortstop Nate Spears to second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Logan Morrison. Ian Desmond out at 2nd.
  

Mesa Bottom 5th

• Matt Young grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Jeremy Slayden called out on strikes.
  
• Logan Morrison singles on a line drive to center fielder Shane Robinson.
  
• Jason Donald called out on strikes.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 6th

• Pitcher Change: Sergio Escalona replaces Kris Medlen.
  
• Brett Wallace grounds out, shortstop Nate Spears to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  
• Chad Huffman strikes out swinging.
  
• Cole Armstrong singles on a soft fly ball to shortstop Nate Spears, deflected by center fielder Quintin Berry.
  
• Sean Kazmar lines out softly to second baseman Jason Donald.
  

Mesa Bottom 6th

• Pitcher Change: Tobi Stoner replaces Carlos Torres.
  
• Scott Cousins grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Van Pope grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Steve Clevenger doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Chad Huffman.
  
• Nate Spears singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Sean Kazmar. Steve Clevenger to 3rd.
  
• Quintin Berry pops out to shortstop Ian Desmond.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 7th

• Bill Rhinehart grounds out, second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  
• Gordon Beckham grounds out, third baseman Van Pope to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  
• Josh Thole walks.
  
• Ian Desmond triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Quintin Berry. Josh Thole scores.
  
• Shane Robinson strikes out swinging.
  

Mesa Bottom 7th

• Matt Young grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Jeremy Slayden flies out to left fielder Chad Huffman.
  
• Logan Morrison grounds out, shortstop Ian Desmond to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 8th

• Pitcher Change: Deunte Heath replaces Sergio Escalona.
  
• Brett Wallace strikes out swinging.
  
• Chad Huffman walks.
  
• Cole Armstrong grounds into double play, second baseman Jason Donald to shortstop Nate Spears to first baseman Logan Morrison. Chad Huffman out at 2nd.
  

Mesa Bottom 8th

• Pitcher Change: Greg Burke replaces Tobi Stoner.
  
• Jason Donald strikes out swinging.
  
• Scott Cousins singles on a ground ball to center fielder Shane Robinson.
  
• Van Pope walks. Scott Cousins to 2nd.
  
• Steve Clevenger grounds into double play, first baseman Bill Rhinehart to shortstop Ian Desmond to pitcher Greg Burke. Van Pope out at 2nd.
  

Peo Saguaros Top 9th

• Pitcher Change: Rocky Roquet replaces Deunte Heath.
  
• Sean Kazmar singles on a ground ball to shortstop Nate Spears.
  
• Bill Rhinehart grounds into double play, shortstop Nate Spears to second baseman Jason Donald to first baseman Logan Morrison. Sean Kazmar out at 2nd.
  
• Gordon Beckham walks.
  
• Josh Thole singles on a ground ball to left fielder Matt Young. Gordon Beckham to 2nd.
  
• Ian Desmond doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to right fielder Scott Cousins. Gordon Beckham scores. Josh Thole scores.
  
• Shane Robinson grounds out, third baseman Van Pope to first baseman Logan Morrison.
  

Mesa Bottom 9th

• Pitcher Change: Adam Carr replaces Greg Burke.
  
• Nate Spears lines out to second baseman Gordon Beckham.
  
• Quintin Berry grounds out, second baseman Gordon Beckham to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  
• Matt Young grounds out to first baseman Bill Rhinehart.
  

10/28/08 6:24 PM ET

Box >

Wells' homer powers Solar Sox
Tigers prospect hits three-run drive to give Mesa 11th win

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Casper Wells' three-run homer capped a six-run third-inning outburst as the visiting Mesa Solar Sox pounded the Peoria Saguaros, 10-1, on Tuesday.

Wells, the Tigers' 14th-round pick in 2005, slugged a homer to left field off Cory VanAllen (Nationals) to give the Solar Sox a 7-1 lead in the third. The right-fielder went 2-for-4 to raise his average to .284.

The Towson State University product is batting .294 with a homer, six RBIs and three stolen bases in his last 10 games for Mesa (11-6). The 23-year-old hit .269 with 27 home runs and 79 RBIs during the regular season for Class A West Michigan and Double-A Erie.

Logan Morrison singled home fellow Marlins prospect Scott Cousins in the first for a 1-0 edge. Morrison also plated Cousins and Will Rhymes (Tigers) with a single up the middle in the third. Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) followed with an RBI double and then Wells blasted his second homer of the fall.

In the fourth, Jeff Larish (Tigers) doubled in Rhymes and Slayden capped the scoring with a two-RBI two-bagger.

Tigers starter Luis Marte (2-1) struck out six and held the Saguaros to a run on six hits and two walks over four innings for the win.

Brett Wallace (Cardinals) went 3-for-4 and drove in Peoria's lone run in the third with an RBI single to left that plated Padres prospect Sean Kazmar.

VanAllen (0-1) was charged with seven runs on eight hits and a walk over 2 2/3 frames for the loss. He struck out five for Peoria (12-5).

Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/29/08 7:58 PM ET
Tigers' Marte storming back in AFL
Pitcher one of several prospects putting up strong numbers

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

What Tigers pitching prospect Luis Marte seemingly lost in the summer, he's now regaining in the Arizona Fall League.

For the second straight start, the 22-year-old right-hander has turned in a high-strikeout, low-run performance as he tries to finish out his year strong in Arizona. The result has been a strong indication that he can make the jump from Class A ball up the developmental ladder and translate his high potential into results among the quietly emerging corps of young arms Detroit is building in its farm system.

Marte earned a promotion from high Class A Lakeland over the summer after dominating Florida State League hitters in seven starts. Beyond the 3-2 record and 1.98 ERA, he scattered just 29 hits over 41 innings, allowing a .196 opposing average while racking up 41 strikeouts. After Marte earned a promotion to Double-A Erie, an elbow strain halted his summer before he came back in July.

The combination of a return from the disabled list and the jump to Erie seemingly affected Marte upon his return as he struggled down the stretch with the SeaWolves. Tigers officials assigned him to the AFL to make up some of those innings he lost as a starter. It helped that his pitching coach with the Mesa Solar Sox, Ray Burris, also worked with him in the same post at Erie.

Initially, Marte's struggles continued with a three-run inning Oct. 9 and three runs over as many innings a week later. Then suddenly, he broke out with a four-inning, eight-strikeout performance Oct. 22 at Scottsdale, including four straight batters through the second inning and into the third. He scattered four hits and didn't walk a single batter, outpitching Red Sox youngster Clay Buchholz in the process.

The follow-up performance came Tuesday with four more innings of one-run ball, this time with six strikeouts -- including the final two batters he faced -- for another victory.

The sum total has vaulted Marte close to the AFL leaders in strikeouts. Only Diamondbacks prospect Max Scherzer and Texas' Willie Eyre fanned more batters than Marte's 16 entering Wednesday. Both have had more innings than Marte's 12.

Casey Fien finally gave up a run in the AFL, which turned out to be the winning tally in the ninth inning of last Friday's Rising Stars showcase game on a bases-loaded walk. In regulation play, however, Fien's scoreless streak rolls on. His three outs on four pitches in the ninth inning Tuesday stretched his shutout AFL campaign to 8 2/3 innings of five-hit ball with nine strikeouts.

Other highlights for the Tigers in the AFL include Jeff Larish, who has overcome his slow start at the plate to show more signs as a run producer for Mesa in his repeat campaign. His run-scoring double Tuesday stretched his RBI streak to six straight games, during which he has plated 12 runs. He has scored a run in each of his last eight games, totaling 14 runs over the stretch, while his bat picks up. He has just one home run for the entire AFL season, producing his offense instead on the strength of singles and doubles. His average was up to .281 entering Wednesday while he shuffles defensively between first and third base.

Outfield prospect Casper Wells, meanwhile, belted a three-run homer in Tuesday's win as he continues his streaky fall sharing time in Mesa's lineup. He had three hits in his previous game last Saturday and a pair of two-hit games the previous week, but also struck out 12 times over his last 32 at-bats entering Wednesday.

Out in the Caribbean, the Tigers' process of getting young players extra time in winter ball has begun. Outfielder Brent Clevlen has been getting his extra at-bats in the Dominican League with Leones del Escogido. He entered Wednesday batting 8-for-29 with two doubles, an RBI, four walks and seven strikeouts.

Dusty Ryan is slated to begin catching next month with Ponce of the revived Puerto Rican League once it begins play in about a week. About a week later, Matt Joyce is expected to be part of the outfield for Mexicali in the Mexican League.

In Hawaii's Winter League, outfielder Kyle Peter continues to challenge for the batting crown with a .393 average (22-for-56). He entered Wednesday with seven hits over his past two games, including four Tuesday. A 34th-round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, Peter went to Hawaii after batting .263 with 34 RBIs and 42 stolen bases over a full season for Class A West Michigan.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/29/08 7:54 PM ET

Box >

Phils' Carpenter outduels Buchholz
Tosses five scoreless innings as Solar Sox top Scorpions

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Phillies prospect Drew Carpenter hurled five scoreless innings and Tigers farmhand Jeff Larish homered to lead the Mesa Solar Sox past the visiting Scottsdale Scorpions, 10-4, on Wednesday.

Carpenter, Philadelphia's second-round pick in the 2006 Draft, struck out two and held the Scorpions to three hits in his fourth AFL start. The 23-year-old right-hander has allowed only one earned run over his last 14 innings.

The Long Beach State product made his Major League debut this year after going 9-12 with a 4.59 ERA between Class A Advanced Clearwater, Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Larish's two-run shot capped a three-run eighth inning as the Solar Sox (13-6) moved into a first-place tie with the Peoria Saguaros in the American Division.

Former Cubs fourth-round pick Darwin Barney went 3-for-4 with two RBIs to raise his average to .341 this fall. Will Rhymes (Tigers) also had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run for Mesa.

Marlins prospect Aaron Thompson (1-0) picked up the win in relief, despite allowing a solo homer in the sixth.

Barret Browning (1-1) of the Angels organization took the loss, surrendering five runs on three hits and two walks while recording two outs in the sixth.

Red Sox prospect Clay Buchholz limited Mesa to a run on five hits and two walks over five innings. The right-hander, who tossed a no-hitter in his second career Major League start in 2007, struck out three and lowered his ERA to 2.60 through four AFL outings.

Shelby Ford (Pirates) and Chris Pettit (Angels) hit solo homers and Kevin Frandsen (Giants) went 3-for-4 with a double to lits his AFL average to .354 for the last-place Scorpions (6-13).

Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/30/08 7:38 PM ET

Box >

Marlins' Morrison hits for cycle
Becomes second Florida prospect to manage feat in 20 days

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Marlins prospect Logan Morrison hit for the cycle and drove in five runs to back Tommy Hanson's five scoreless innings as the visiting Mesa Solar Sox beat the Scottsdale Scorpions, 11-6, on Thursday.

Morrison ripped an RBI double in the first inning, singled in the fourth, launched a two-run homer in the fifth and capped the cycle with an RBI triple in the seventh.

"Going into that at-bat, I knew I needed a triple," Morrison said. "But I wasn't thinking about it when I swung or anything. But when I hit it, I was like, 'Go!'"

The 20-year-old Morrison, the Florida State League Player of the Year for Class A Advanced Jupiter, became the second Marlins prospect to hit for the cycle in the Arizona Fall League this season -- teammate John Raynor managed the feat on Oct. 10 in Mesa's 9-5 win over Surprise.

"It was pretty cool, it doesn't come around too often," said Morrison. "I got the ball from the umpire and one of my teammates saved it."

Raynor, out with an injured hand, might have heard the news rather quickly.

"My teammates said, 'Hey, Raynor's not here, send him a text saying the cycle ain't that hard,'" Morrison laughed. "But it's just good to have days like that. You have a few days when you go 0-for-4, but you have to stick with what you just did. There's no ups and downs, and (you have to) stay even-keeled."

The left-handed first baseman has driven in 11 runs during his seven-game hitting streak for first-place Mesa (14-6). Morrison went 4-for-5 and raised his AFL average to .420 with the performance.

"I've just been recognizing the pitches and getting my foot down early," he said. "I'm letting the ball get there. I'd been out in front of a lot of pitches."

The Kansas City, Mo. native was a 22nd-round pick by Florida in 2005 and has worked his way up through Florida system from the Gulf Coast League. He hit .332 with 13 homers and 74 RBIs for the Hammerheads in the regular season after setting career highs with 24 home runs and 86 RBIs in 2007 with Class A Greensboro.

After a huge season, the fall league has been a bit of a vacation for the prospect.

"Yeah it's fun here, the ball travels a lot further, so that's a good thing," he said. "The guys here are great. You feel right at home, and we have a lot of chemistry."

In the dugout, some of the Solar Sox knew it was history in the making for Morrison, Hanson said.

"It just shows how good of a hitting team this team is," he added. "I've never seen a cycle before in my life, so it's pretty insane seeing two cycles here. It's pretty impressive."

Morrison, who grounded out in his final at-bat, fell a triple shy of the cycle when he drove in three runs on Oct. 8. He went 5-for-5 with an RBI on Oct. 22 at Scottsdale and entered Thursday's game batting .390 (16-for-41) in his last 10 games.

"I'm just trying to play and have good games," he said. "If it opens eyes [in Florida], great."

Hanson (3-0), a Braves prospect, extended his scoreless-inning streak to 13 2/3 innings in the win. The Tulsa, Okla. native struck out five and held the Scorpions to three hits in his fourth start.

"I felt pretty good. Two of the hits, I tried to get ahead with a fastball," Hanson said. "Everything was working pretty well for me today, as it has been since I came out here. It was a good outing."

The right-hander threw 47 of his 66 pitches for strikes and did not walk a batter for the second straight start.

"It's pretty easy to pitch, and we had a lead, so I just wanted to go right at them," he said. "Everything feels really good right now. So hopefully I'll keep doing this, and hopefully keep having success."

Hanson has struck out 19 and allowed just four hits for Mesa this fall.

"I'm real confident," he said. "I came out here to work on my changeup, so I just want to stay consistent and work on my pitches."

Mesa got started early when Nate Spears (Cubs) singled home Braves prospect Matt Young in the first. Morrison doubled in Spears and Jason Donald (Phillies) for a 3-0 lead.

"It's a lot easier to pitch when you do get those runs," Hanson said. "You don't have to worry about making it a close game. Just attack the hitters and try not to walk anybody, just let them put the ball in play."

Jeff Larish (Tigers) ripped a three-run homer and Morrison followed with a two-run shot, his third, in the fifth for an 8-0 edge. Morrison tripled home Tyler Flowers (Braves) and Jeremy Slayden (Phillies) knocked him in with a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

"Every day it seems we're getting at least 10 hits," Hanson said. "They're doing a great job putting runs up now."

Scottsdale (6-14) responded in the eighth with a six-run rally. Tim Duff (Angels) plated Aaron Bates (Red Sox) with a sacrifice fly and Chris Pettit (Angels) followed with an RBI double. Kevin Frandsen (Giants) scored on a wild pitch before Astros farmhand Chris Johnson popped a three-run shot off Rocky Roquet (Cubs).

Astros starter Sergio Perez (0-1) allowed three unearned runs on five hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out one.

Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

10/31/08 6:04 PM ET

Box >

Estrada, Young keep Sox in first
Cubs righty holds Javs to one run as Mesa wins fourth straight

By Danny Wild / MLB.com

Cubs prospect Jesse Estrada tossed five strong innings and Braves farmhand Matt Young homered as the Mesa Solar Sox won for the 11th time in 12 games, 3-2, over the visiting Peoria Javelinas on Friday.

Estrada (2-0) struck out five and held the Javelinas to a run on five hits and a walk for his second win. The former 31st-round pick threw 55 of his 71 pitches for strikes and lowered his Arizona Fall League ERA to 4.30.

The El Paso, Texas native, who turned 25 on Monday, spent time with Class A Advanced Daytona, Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa during the regular season, finishing a combined 7-3 with a 5.17 ERA.

Casey Fien (Tigers) picked up his second save, despite allowing a solo homer in the ninth. Sergio Escalona (Phillies), Zach Simons (Tigers) and Rudy Darrow (Tigers) each pitched a scoreless inning for first-place Mesa (15-6).

Young snapped a 1-1 tie in the fifth with a solo homer, his second of the fall. The Southern League All-Star finished 2-for-3 to boost his AFL average to .350.

Marlins prospect Logan Morrison, who hit for the cycle on Thursday, went 3-for-3 with an RBI to extend his hitting streak to eight.

Greg Halman (Mariners) belted a solo shot, his second, and Rays farmhand J.T. Hall ripped an RBI triple for Peoria.

Former Yankees first-round pick Jeff Marquez started and was charged with a run on six hits over four innings. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Rays right-hander Ryan Reid (0-1) surrendered a pair of runs on four hits over two innings to suffer his first AFL loss for Peoria (10-11).

Danny Wild is an editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

11/02/08 12:48 AM ET

BOX

Donald, Sox demolish Javelinas
Phillies prospect has third four-hit game in fall league

By Daren Smith / MLB.com

Phillies prospect Jason Donald went 4-for-6 with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs on Saturday as the first-place Mesa Solar Sox pounded the Peoria Javelinas, 13-3, for their fifth straight win.

It was the third four-hit game in Arizona for Donald, who raised his fall league average to .448. He doubled in Mesa's six-run first inning, launched a solo homer in the second, delivered an RBI single in the third and doubled in two runs in the fifth to give the Solar Sox (16-6) a 12-1 cushion.

Donald, a 2006 third-round Draft pick, tied for fifth in the Eastern League this season with a .307 average. He had 14 homers, 54 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 92 games with Double-A Reading.

Braves catching prospect Tyler Flowers hit his AFL-leading sixth homer, a two-run blast in the first, and Scott Cousins (Marlins) and Van Pope (Braves) also went deep for Mesa. Eight of the nine players in the Solar Sox's lineup collected at least two hits, with Cubs farmhand Darwin Barney going 3-for-5 with a run scored.

The 20-hit attack was more than enough support for Marlins Minor Leaguer Sean West (2-1), who allowed an unearned run on five hits with five strikeouts over five innings.

Javelinas starter and Reds prospect Pedro Viola (2-1) suffered his first fall loss after surrendering eight runs on 11 hits in two innings.

Lou Palmisano (Brewers) and Justin Smoak (Rangers) each had two hits and an RBI for Peoria (10-12), which has lost five straight.

Daren Smith is an editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.