October 16, 2011 at 7:00 AM
Scottsdale rally falls just short
10/16 Cup of Coffee: With the tying run on second and the go-ahead run on first, Zach Walters (WAS) struck out and and Dan Butler lined out to end the game as the Scottsdale Scorpions fell to the Peoria Javelinas 8-7.
Scottsdale was up 5-0 in the 3rd thanks to RBI doubles from Walters and Derek Norris (WAS), and a Butler 3 run home run. Peoria managed to get all 5 runs back by the end of the 4th as Nick Franklin (SEA) hit a 2 run double, Juan Lagares (NYM) hit a 2 run home run, and Oscar Taveras (STL) lined an RBI double to chase Scottsdale starter Brock Huntzinger. Matt Purke (WAS) made his AFL debut in relief of Huntzinger tossing 2.0 innings allowing 1 run, hit, walk, and strike out.
The score was tied at 6 in the 8th when Jefry Marte (NYM) launched a 2 run home run to left center to put Peoria up 8-6. The Scorpions quickly got the tying runs to the plate in the 9th as Brandon Crawford (SF) and Alex Hassan singled to start off the inning. With runners on 1st and 3rd and nobody out, Derek Norris hit a sac fly to bring Scottsdale within 1. Cody Overbeck (PHI) followed with a single to put the go-ahead run on base, but Walters and Butler could not drive them in and Peoria squeaked by with the victory.
Brock Huntzinger pitched the first 4.0 innings allowing 7 hits and 5 runs. Alex Hassan started in right field going 1 for 3 with a walk. Dan Butler went 1 for 3 with a home run and a walk and Ryan Dent went 0 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout.