Lentz helps Solar Sox chop down Saguaros

11/3 Cup of Coffee: The Mesa Solar Sox were lifted by strong performances from the top of their order as well 5.0 scoreless innings from the bullpen to beat the Peoria Saguaros 7-2 on Monday afternoon.

Peoria got off to a quick start as Lance Zawadzki (SDP) drilled a lead-off single and would come around to score on Chris Heisey's (CIN) RBI triple. Heisey would score on Yondor Alonso's (CIN) RBI single, bringing the early Saguaro lead to 2-0. The Solar Sox were not to be outdone, as they answered back in the bottom of the first. Bryan Peterson (FLA) and Starlin Castro (CHC) hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, and with two outs would pull off a double steal before scoring on Hank Conger's (LAA) two-run single. Mesa would expand their lead in the bottom of the fifth on four consecutive singles by Steve Singleton (MIN), Jose Iglesias, Peterson, and Castro which plated an additional three runs, making the lead 5-2.

Mesa would cap the scoring in the bottom of the seventh, as Josh Vitters (CHC) hit a lead-off triple and scored when Ryan Kalish reached on an error. Kalish would steal second and score on Peterson's third single of the afternoon, making the score 7-2 Solar Sox. Mesa was powered by the top of their order, as lead-off hitter Peterson was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored and second hitter Castro was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

Richie Lentz pitched two scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win, allowing only one hit and striking out two. Lentz led a sparkling performance by the Solar Sox bullpen, which allowed only the one hit across five scoreless innings, striking out five. Dustin Richardson pitched a scoreless eighth inning, picking up a strikeout of his own.

Kalish ended the afternoon 0 for 2 with an RBI and Iglesias was 1 for 3 with a run scored. The Solar Sox are back in action this afternoon at 2:35 EST against the Peoria Javelinas.

Player of the Night: Richie Lentz, who picked up his first win of the AFL season, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 2.

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