October 29, 2009 at 2:16 AM
Kelly stings Scorpions in 12-5 Solar Sox victory
10/29 Cup of Coffee: The Mesa Solar Sox scored five runs in the first and led 11-0 after the fourth inning on their way to a 12-5 victory over the Scottsdale Scorpions Wednesday afternoon.The Solar Sox scoring started thanks to an RBI single by Josh Vitters (CHC), a bases-loaded walk to Steve Singleton (MIN), and a crushing two-out, three-RBI triple by Casey Kelly, who started at third base for Mesa. The scoring would continue in the bottom of the second for the Solar Sox, as they received RBI singles from David Cooper (TOR) and left fielder Ryan Kalish, expanding the Mesa lead to 7-0. Scottsdale was unable to stop the onslaught as the score would expand to 10-0 in the bottom of third, when Bryan Peterson's (FLA) sacrifice fly scored Kelly, and Starlin Castro (CHC) and Hank Conger (LAA) knocked in runs of their own. Singleton would open up the bottom of the fourth with a lead-off double and come home a batter later on another double by Kelly, giving the Solar Sox an 11-0 lead.
Solar Sox starter Andrew Cashner (CHC) exited after four scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out four. With Cashner out of the game, the Scorpions pounced on reliever Steve Hirschfeld (MIN), who allowed a two-run home run to Steve Susdorf (PHI) and an RBI double to Chase d'Arnaud (PIT) to bring the score to 11-3. Scottsdale would add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 11-5, as Brandon Crawford (SFG) hit a solo home run and Hector Gomez (COL) laced an RBI single. Chris Province came in to pitch for Mesa and stopped the Scorpions rally, pitching 1.1 innings of scoreless relief while striking out two. The Solar Sox would add an additional run in the bottom of the seventh as Peterson hit his second home run of the fall to give Mesa a 12-5 lead.
Every player in the Solar Sox lineup collected at least one hit in the fifteen-hit performance. Kelly finished the game 2 for 4 with 4 RBI, a double, triple, walk and a run scored. Kalish was 1 for 5 with an RBI, run scored and a walk. The Solar Sox are back in action this afternoon at 2:35 EST against the Peoria Javelinas.
Player of the Night: Casey Kelly, who was 2 for 4 with 4 RBI and a key first-inning triple.