October 22, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Solar Sox avoid Scorpions' sting in close victory
10/22 Cup of Coffee: The Mesa Solar Sox, who jumped out to an early lead, held off a late-game Scottsdale Scorpion charge to win 5-4 on Wednesday night.
The Solar Sox started the scoring early, with Josh Vitters (CHC) doubling in two runs in the first inning off of Scorpions starter Michael Cisco (PHI). Mesa kept the pressure on in the second, when Casey Kelly led off with a walk and quickly stole second base. Kelly scored on a Greg Burns (FLA) triple, and Burns scored on a Bryan Peterson (FLA) double to extend the Mesa lead to 4-0.
Scottsdale would answer back in the third, as Thomas Neal (SFG) singled, stole second and scored on a force-out by Brian Friday (PIT), making the score 4-1. Mesa added the eventual winning run in the top of the seventh. Consecutive singles by Vitters and Welington Castillo (CHC) put runners on the corners. Buster Posey's (SFG) passed ball allowed Vitters to scurry home with Mesa's fifth run.
The Solar Sox started the scoring early, with Josh Vitters (CHC) doubling in two runs in the first inning off of Scorpions starter Michael Cisco (PHI). Mesa kept the pressure on in the second, when Casey Kelly led off with a walk and quickly stole second base. Kelly scored on a Greg Burns (FLA) triple, and Burns scored on a Bryan Peterson (FLA) double to extend the Mesa lead to 4-0.
Scottsdale would answer back in the third, as Thomas Neal (SFG) singled, stole second and scored on a force-out by Brian Friday (PIT), making the score 4-1. Mesa added the eventual winning run in the top of the seventh. Consecutive singles by Vitters and Welington Castillo (CHC) put runners on the corners. Buster Posey's (SFG) passed ball allowed Vitters to scurry home with Mesa's fifth run.
The Scorpions, though, were not going to go away easily on this night, as they rallied for three runs in the eighth. Back-to-back doubles from Posey and Steve Susdorf (PHI) plated three and got the Scorpions within one. But Blake Parker (CHC) got the final four outs for the Solar Sox and sealed the victory, earning his second save.
Richie Lentz pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 walk and a wild pitch while adding a strikeout. Kelly went 0 for 3 with a walk, 2 strikeouts, a run scored and a stolen base.
Mesa faces off against these same Scottsdale Scorpions this afternoon at 2:35 EST.
Richie Lentz pitched 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 walk and a wild pitch while adding a strikeout. Kelly went 0 for 3 with a walk, 2 strikeouts, a run scored and a stolen base.
Mesa faces off against these same Scottsdale Scorpions this afternoon at 2:35 EST.