Peoria can't scale the Rafters in loss

10/13 Cup of Coffee: The Cup of Coffee returns as the Arizona Fall League began play yesterday. The Peoria Javelinas began their season on the wrong end of an offensive struggle despite a solid performance at the plate from a prospect still in his first year in the United States.

The Javelinas struggled on the mound and fell victim to the Surprise Rafters 8-6. Peoria wasted no time in getting on the board, scoring in the bottom of the first on a Dustin Ackley (SEA) solo home run. The Rafters struck back in the second, plating three runs on a Francisco Martinez (DET) RBI triple and a wild pitch. Surprise added two more in the third to take a 5-1 lead. Jose Iglesias started off the bottom of the sixth by reaching on an error and would eventually come home to score on Ryan Lavarnway's fielder's choice. Michael McDade (TOR) added an RBI double to cut the Rafters lead to 5-3. In the seventh, Surprise brought home two more on RBI singles by Jose Felix (TOR) and Eric Farris (MIL). Peoria responded in the bottom half of the inning with an RBI triple by Jack Shuck (HOU) and a sacrifice fly by Iglesias. Seth Garrison came on to pitch the eighth inning for the Javelinas and allowed a Ben Guez (DET) solo home run during his inning of work. Koby Clemens' (HOU) RBI ground out in the bottom half of the inning accounted for the last Peoria run.

Iglesias was 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored playing shortstop for the Javelinas. Lavarnway ended the day 1 for 3 with an RBI, a walk and a run scored behind the plate. Juan Carlos Linares roamed center field and was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Jason Rice tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, allowing 2 hits and striking out a pair.

Peoria takes on Surprise once again today at 3:35 EST.

Player of the Night: Juan Carlos Linares, who was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored in Peoria's 8-6 loss.

Tweet