Arizona Fall League Thread (Oct 9th - Nov 15th)

[Crazysilver03]

The Orioles' representatives are playing for the Mesa Solar Sox. Here is their schedule, with games almost daily through November 15th.

The Orioles have sent:

LHP Mike Belfiore

LHP Chris Petrini

RHP Clayton Schrader

RHP Mike Wright

C Brian Ward

INF Jonathon Schoop

OF L.J. Hoes

[Crazysilver03]

Mesa lost their opening game of the season on Tuesday October 9th to Salt River. Jonathon Schoop entered the game in the top of the 7th, pinch hitting for Bobby Borchering (Houston), and lined out to the CF on a 1-2 count in his only plate appearance. Schoop remained in the game as the 3B. Batting 8th, Brian Ward struck out in his only AB, but drew two BBs, before being PH for in the top of the 8th. On the pitching side, Belfiore was called upon in the bottom of the 7th with two outs when the previous pitcher loaded the bases on his 2nd walk of the inning. Belfiore got the batter to groundout on a 1-0 pitch to the second baseman. In the bottom of the 8th, Belfiore walked the first batter on a 3-1 count. After fouling off the first three pitches in the AB, the next batter roped a double to LF scoring the batter that had walked previously. After a coaching visit, Belfiore retired the next batter on a sacrifice bunt before the following batter roped an RBI triple to CF. Belfiore was able to get the next batter to pop out to Schoop, before being replaced by another pitcher who stranded the runner at 3B to end the inning. Belfiore ended up taking the loss after giving up the two earned runs.

Mesa's next game is today at 12:35 local time, at home vs. Salt River.

[Crazysilver03]

Mike Wright is the starting pitcher for Mesa today. The game gets underway in an hour. Here is the Gameday.

Schoop is batting 7th and playing SS.

EDIT: Well that couldn't have gone much worse for Wright, who gave up 4 runs, 3 earned, with the help of a fielding error by Schoop, in one inning of work. Wright got the first batter to groundout, before allowing a single and then the Schoop error. The next batter promptly hit a 3 run homerun. The next batter then took Wright deep on a 3-1 pitch to make the score 4-0. Wright promptly walked the next batter after a coaching visit, but the runner was caught stealing at 2nd base. After going to a full count on the 7th batter, he lined a single into LF and stole 2nd base during the next at-bat, which Wright ended on a 3-2 called strike. Wright just didn't have his command today, throwing only 15 of his 34 pitches for strikes.

Schoop drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch during his first AB.

EDIT 2: Schoop finished the game 0-1 but with 3 walks. Schoop walked on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the 4th.

Clayton Schrader was brought in the top of the 4th after Salt River added another 3 runs, with a runner on 2B and 2 outs. Schrader got the batter to fly out to RF on a 2-0 count. In the top of the 5th, the first batter hit a homerun on a 1-0 pitch. Clayton hit the next batter on the first pitch, then promptly walked the next batter on 4 pitches after getting strike one. The next batter hit a ball deflected off Schrader to load the bases. After being checked for injury, Schrader induced a double play, though the runner from 3rd scored. Schrader ended the inning by getting the final batter to fly out to RF on a 3-2 pitch. Schrader only threw 11 of his 24 pitches for strikes, as command remains an issue.

[Crazysilver03]

The next game is today at 3:30 ET/12:30 PT at Surprise. Here is the Gameday. There are no Orioles in the starting line-up.

UPDATE: Chris Petrini pitched the 6th inning of Mesa's first win. Petrini walked the first batter on a 3-1 change-up. Petrini got the next batter to fly out on a 2-1 pitch, though the runner was able to steal 2nd base. The next batter flew out on a 1-1 pitch to RF. The final batter struck out on a 2-2 pitch.

Brian Ward came into PH in the top of the 8th, doubling on a fly ball to CF on the 10th pitch of the AB. He would later come around to score to tie the game for Mesa.

[Frobby]

Normally, I would be obsessing over the AFL box scores this time of year. Now, I can't even be bothered to look at them. I hope it stays that way for another couple of weeks.

[Crazysilver03]

Surprise is at Mesa today.

Schoop is batting 5 and playing SS. Brian Ward is batting 9th and playing C.

Another rough showing for the Orioles' players in the first. With a runner on 3rd and two outs in the top of the 1st, Schoop made his second error of the season on a throw that allowed the runner to score and the batter to reach first. Brian Ward promptly allowed a pass ball to allow the runner to move up to second and he would later come around to score. In the bottom of the 1st, with runners on 2nd and 3rd and two outs, Schoop flied out to CF to end the inning, stranding both runners.

[RVAbird]

Thanks for the updates, Crazy. I assume now that the parent club has been eliminated, the attention of some will turn to the AFL games.

Everyone should keep in mind that the AFL tends to be a significant hitter's league.

[Crazysilver03]

Mesa won its third game of the season on Saturday, October 13.

Schoop played 2B and went 0-3 with the bat, with a K and BB.

Scharder gained his first hold of the season with a scoreless, but eventuful, sixth. Schrader issued three straight balls after going 0-1 on the first batter before getting him to groundout on a 3-2 pitch. The next batter reached on a fielding error by the 3B and made it to second on the mixup, after a 3-2 count. The next batter walks on a 3-2 pitch. Scharder got the 4th batter to flyout to SS on a 1-0 count. Schrader hit the next batter on the very next pitch to load the bases. The next batter grounded out to Schoop to end the inning. Schrader only threw 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes.

Petrini gained his first hold of the season with a scoreless seventh.

[JayThomas]

Where is Hoes in all this? Didn't he get out there in time?

[Crazysilver03]

Where is Hoes in all this? Didn't he get out there in time?

The only thing I can think is that he was in instructional league, which just concluded on Friday. But then that begs the question why wasnt Schoop at IL.

[JayThomas]

Yeah, I thought when he left the Orioles he was heading right out to Arizona. Maybe he's working out with the team but they want to get him a few reps before putting him on the field?

[Crazysilver03]

Yeah, I thought when he left the Orioles he was heading right out to Arizona. Maybe he's working out with the team but they want to get him a few reps before putting him on the field?

Hoes is batting 7th and playing RF in today's game. Brian Ward is catching and batting 9th.

[stef]

Schoop off to a very nice start:

.350/.480/.600/1.080

7 for 20

5K/5BB

[Enjoy Terror]

Schoop is still killing the ball... 9-for-27 with 3 doubles and 7 walks. .333/.500/.556

[Can_of_corn]

Schoop is still killing the ball... 9-for-27 with 3 doubles and 7 walks. .333/.500/.556

Big time hitter's league but I am very happy to see the 7 walks.