Webb had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder performed by Dr. Keith Meister on Aug. 4 in Arlington, Tex. Webb made one start last season, receiving a no-decision against the Rockies in the season opener, before being placed on the disabled list for the remainder of the season.

“Since Brandon has recovered well from his surgery, we have decided to exercise his option,” said Byrnes. “His accomplishments for our organization have been significant. We look forward to him returning to the mound.”

The three-time All-Star and 2006 Cy Young Award winner is 87-62 with a 3.27 ERA over 199 career games in parts of seven seasons. He enters the 2010 season ranked second in D-backs’ history with 87 wins, 198 starts, 1,319.2 innings pitched and 1,065 strikeouts and third with 15 complete games. From 2006-2008, Webb garnered the most points (270) in the BBWAA’s voting system for the Cy Young Award.

(Courtesy of Arizona Diamondbacks Media Relations)

The Arizona Diamondbacks made their first official moves of the “hot stove league” today, announcing they wouldn’t be picking up the option on first baseman Chad Tracy. They also announced that Yusmeiro Petit had been claimed off of waivers by the Seattle Mariners and Doug Slaten was claimed by the Washington Nationals. Pitcher Daniel Cabrera and outfielders Trent Oeltjen and Alex Romero were outrighted to Triple-A Reno, although Cabrera opted for free agency rather than accepting the assignment, and Oeltjen and Romero are expected to do the same.

With all of the day one moves, the Diamondbacks currently have 35 players on their 40-man roster with plenty of holes to fill.

While we aren’t Ivy League graduates or baseball geniuses, we have put together a recipe that, if followed properly, could help the Diamondbacks return to the playoffs.

Start off by looking at the current roster.

If the Diamondbacks were to take the field tonight, their lineup would look something like this, based on the current 40-man roster:

Infield:

C- Miguel Montero (Backup: Chris Snyder)
1B- Brandon Allen (Backup: Josh Whitesell, Conor Jackson)
2B- Ryan Roberts (Backups: Rusty Ryal, Tony Abreu)
SS- Stephen Drew (Backup: Augie Ojeda)
3B- Mark Reynolds (Backup: ?)

Outfield:

LF- Gerardo Parra (Backups: Conor Jackson, Eric Byrnes)
CF- Chris Young (Backups: Gerardo Parra, Eric Byrnes)
RF- Justin Upton (Backups: Eric Byrnes)

Starting Rotation:

1. RHP Dan Haren
2. RHP Brandon Webb
3. RHP Max Scherzer

(RHP Billy Buckner, RHP Bryan Augenstein, RHP Kevin Mulvey)

Bullpen:

Closer- Chad Qualls
Setup- Leo Rosales, Esmerling Vasquez, Juan Gutierrez
Left Handed Specialists- Clay Zavada, Daniel Schlereth

Not exactly a team that will strike fear in the National League West, let alone Major League Baseball. All is not a loss though.

The budget conscious D-Backs won’t be in the mix for top free agents like Matt Holliday or John Lackey but it doesn’t mean they won’t be active. They’ll need to fill holes at first base, find someone to back up Mark Reynolds, and add a left handed starting pitcher and bullpen help.

Let’s start off by taking a look at the first base situation. Brandon Allen, acquired from the White Sox in exchange for Tony Pena in the middle of last season, tore the cover off the ball for Triple-A Reno but did little to instill confidence when called up to the bigs. It seems unlikely that the D-Backs will go into the season with him as the starter but who could they possibly get?

The free agent talent pool at first is thin but three names seem like they might fit, Nick Johnson (31), Russell Branyan (34) and Adam LaRoche (30).

Johnson, because of past injuries, would probably come on the cheap. Johnson played in 133 games last season between Washington and Florida and put up decent numbers. He hit .291 with 8 home runs, 62 RBI and an OBP of .426. He seems to fit the high risk, high reward type of signing that Josh Byrnes goes after in free agency (see Tom Gordon).

Russell Branyan is an interesting name on the list. Josh Byrnes is familiar with him from his time in the Cleveland Indians organization, who drafted Branyan in 1994. Although Branyan’s batting average and OBP numbers weren’t spectacular last season, .251 and .347, he hit 31 home runs and drove in 76 RBI. Another advantage to Branyan is he could also help fill the role as Mark Reynolds backup. The draw back would be that you’d have over 350 strikeouts between your first and third basemen.

Adam LaRoche is an intriguing name. He’s the youngest of the three and is a model of consistency. During his time in Atlanta and Pittsburgh you could pencil him for an average in the .270’s, between 20 and 25 home runs, an OBP of around .340 and 80 RBI. Not only is he consistent but he’d add another left handed bat to the lineup. The question would be, is LaRoche in the Snakes’ price range.

The only free agent name that is really intriguing as a backup for Mark Reynolds is Mark Loretta. He is a solid guy who can play multiple infield positions, can hit and has played for winning franchises. He could play the “super utility” role in 2010.

As for starting pitching, the name Rich Hill is intriguing. He’s battled injuries the last two seasons but he’s a left hander who showed promise with the Cubs. He refused an assignment to Triple-A by the Orioles and became a free agent earlier this week. He may be had for cheap and could provide immediate dividends for the D-Backs.

Another free agent starter who could help fill out the rotation would be Brad Penny. The Diamondbacks showed some interest in him last offseason and he might fit the plans this season.

The bullpen is the difficult one to figure out. There are some free agent arms but most are well into their thirties and no name jumps off the page. This would be an ideal position to fill through some sort or trade. There is no doubt that Josh Byrnes and his staff will make moves when it comes to a bullpen that was disappointing at best in 2009.

The Diamondbacks’ front office has a lot of work ahead of them this offseason. Hopefully the decisions made this year pan out better than those made last year.

Tracy, who came up with the Diamondbacks in 2004, ranks in the top ten in many offensive categories in team history. Tracy is third on the all-time list for games played (704), 6th in home runs (78), 4th in runs batted in (318) and 5th in career batting average (.280).

Tracy was the Diamondbacks’ most productive offensive player from 2005 to 2006, hitting 47 home runs and driving in 152 runs while batting .294 over that 2-year stretch. But injuries set in in 2007, and he has not been nearly as productive in the last three seasons.

The Diamondbacks also outrighted pitcher Daniel Cabrera and outfielders Trent Oeltjen and Alex Romero to Triple-A Reno. Cabrera did not accept the assignment, and opted to become a free agent.

Pitchers Yusmeiro Petit and Doug Slaten were both claimed off waivers, Petit by Seattle and Slaten by the Washington Nationals.

But it’s not the offseason for everyone in the D-Backs’ organization.

Seven players are showing their stuff in the Arizona Fall League, currently happening at a Cactus League stadium near you. The contingent of Diamondbacks are all suiting up for the Scottsdale Scorpions, who are 7-12 and tied for 2nd in the AFL East (there’s only three teams in the division.

I found myself wondering how the young Diamondbacks are doing this fall, so I thought you might be too.

Brandon Allen, 1B - This is an important fall for Allen, who is being considered for the everyday first base job in 2010 with the big club. Let’s just say that things aren’t going so well for him. In 20 games, Allen is batting just .162 (12 for 74), with one home run and 10 runs driven in. He has also struck out 20 times, but has shown the ability to draw walks, as he has 19 thus far, which leads the Arizona Fall League. But the most startling statistic on Allen’s ledger this fall has been his inability to hit left handed pitching. Allen is 0 for 18 in that category.

Bryan Augenstein, SP - Augenstein, who made 7 appearances and 2 starts for the Diamondbacks in ‘09 has also struggled in the Arizona Fall League. Augenstein has made 4 starts for Scottsdale, and is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA. Opposing hitters are batting a robust .349 against him, and he hasn’t worked longer than three innings in any one outing. Left handed hitters are especially enjoying at bats against Augenstein; they’re hitting .417 against him.

Pedro Ciriaco, 2B/SS - Ciriaco, who enjoyed a productive year at Double-A Mobile in the Southern League with a .296 average and 38 stolen bases, is also producing this fall. The right-handed hitter from the Dominican is hitting .304 in 46 at-bats, almost all against right-handed pitching. But unlike Allen, Ciriaco hasn’t drawn walks–he’s got only 1 to his credit, and his on-base percentage of .327 is nothing to write home about, especially for a player that’s hitting in the leadoff or number two slot, like Ciriaco has for the Scorpions.

Cole Gillespie, OF - Gillespie, who was acquired from Milwaukee in the trade that sent Felipe Lopez to the Brewers, has had a very nice AFL season to this point. His .348 batting average ranks in the top 15 in the league, and his on base percentage of .455 is 5th in the league. He has one home run to his credit, but has not shown a tendency to strike out, which is a good way to break into the big club’s lineup. Gillespie has just 2 punch outs in 46 at-bats this fall.

Tom Layne, RP - The 25-year old left hander has been good in relief for the Scorpions. In 7 appearances (all out of the bullpen), Layne has allowed 7 hits in 7.1 innings, struck out 8 and only walked 3. His ERA is a respectable 2.45, and opponents are hitting just .233 against him.

Scott Maine, RP - The left-hander from the University of Miami hasn’t seen much action in the Fall League, working just 1.2 innings in relief, but he’s given up 3 earned runs (for a 16.20 ERA) in that time. Maine hasn’t pitched since October 16th.

Cesar Valdez, RP - After compiling a 7-6 record in 18 starts at Triple-A Reno in ‘09, Valdez has been coming out of the bullpen for the Scorpions in the AFL. The right hander has made 6 appearances, allowing 12 hits and 10 earned runs (11.25 ERA) in 8 innings of work. He’s struck out 10 and walked 5, while opponents have batted .324 against him. He has been better in his last 2 outings, pitching 2 or more innings in each, and allowing just 1 earned run..

The Arizona Fall League runs through November 19th.

The Surprise Rafters would travel to Phoenix to defeat the first-place Desert Dogs by one run. In the close game the Rafters would take the lead in the first inning and were able to maintain it through two. The Desert Dogs would eventually tie the game in the third inning and take the lead in the fourth off of an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly that would score two runs for the team. In the top of the fifth Surprise would tie the game again as a result of a home run by Texas prospect Doug Hogan and a runner scored on a wild pitch by Heath Rollins. In the seventh inning both teams would earn another run each as the game would remain deadlocked, this time, at five a piece. In the bottom of the 11th inning, the Rafters would be able to earn one more run off of an RBI double by Marcus Lemon to win the game in extra innings.

In another close game in Scottsdale the Javelinas would beat the Scottsdale Scorpions as they maintain their lead in their division. The productive third inning for the Javelinas would end up being all that they needed as they would score three runs in the inning. Jordan Danks, Russ Mitchell and Lucas May would each drive in a run for the Javelinas in the third inning. In the bottom of the fifth inning Jose Tabata would be able to drive in a run for the Scorpions who would not score again until the ninth inning. The Scorpions were only able to gather on run as the Javelinas hang on to win the game. Pitcher Josh Butler would get the win as he would throw for three innings, striking out four and allowing no earned runs.

The Peoria Javelinas would defeat the Scorpions in Scottsdale with the help of Los Angeles Dodgers’ prospect Lucas May. May, the catcher, would hammer one homerun and gather three RBI for the Javelinas. For the Scorpions, their catcher, Giants’ prospect Buster Posey would have a homer of his own. Posey’s two run shot would come in the second inning to give the team the lead. The Javelinas would come back to take the lead and hold on for the win.

The Peoria Saguaros would travel to Mesa to face the Solar Sox in the final game of the day. The Saguaros would earn two runs immediately in the bottom of the first inning. The runs would come off of an RBI triple and an RBI single. The Sox would answer, in the bottom of the first inning. With the two runs in the first inning for the Solar Sox and the three runs in the fifth, it would give the Sox a bit of an advantage. While tacking on two more runs in the seventh. The Saguaros would be unable to score again as the Mesa Solar Sox take the game.

Photo Courtesy of americanmustacheinstitute.org

He accepted the award as part of the Institutes’ annual ” ‘Stache Bash” in front of roughly a 1,000 people.

“Clay and his menacing mouth garden were a great story throughout the 2009 baseball season, and Quicken and the American Mustache Institute are proud to honor him as the ‘Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year’ award winner,” said Chelsea Marti of Quicken® on the institutes website.

Zavada beat out Dr. John Yeutter, a Northeastern State University professor, CBS News reporter Bill Geist, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Brendan Ryan of the St. Louis Cardinals, USA Today blogger Whitney Matheson, US Airways pilot Sully Sullenberger, and Mayor Dan Snarr of Murray City, Utah for the award. The award winner was determined by an online poll in which over 100,000 votes were cast.

Congrats Clay, we hope to see you and your ’stache back on the mound intimidating opponents in the late innings in 2010.

The Phoenix Desert Dogs were able to hold off the Solar Sox in Saturday’s action as they squeeze in a victory in Mesa. Scoring would begin in the second inning when the Desert Dogs would score one off of an RBI double by Corey Brown. The Sox would answer in the bottom of the same inning with a run of their own on a sacrifice fly to right field. The Desert Dogs would be able to produce one more run an inning for the next three innings as the Solar Sox were only able to provide two more. Washington Nationals’ prospect Drew Storen would get the save as the Desert Dogs were able to hold off the Solar Sox by a score of 4 to 3.

In Peoria, the Scorpions were able to give the Saguaros a taste of their own shutout medicine as they blank the Saguaros by a score of 6 to 0. For Scottsdale, Domonic Brown of the Phillies organization would have three RBI in the victory over Peoria. Four Scottsdale pitchers would combine for ten strikeouts for the victory as they were able to silence the bats of the Peoria Saguaros.

Mesa and Scottsdale would square off at Scottsdale Stadium as the two teams would go head-to-head in another close matchup. Mesa would get off to a strong lead early by driving in four runs in the third inning. At the bottom of the third, the Scorpions would score one run to pull within three. The following inning, Scottsdale would score one more run to tie the game. In the bottom of the fifth, the Sox would regain the lead only to have the Scorpions tie again in the sixth. Both teams would remain deadlocked through eleven innings as a tie was called for the game.

The Rafters would start the game with the lead by scoring three runs in the first inning. The team would maintain their lead for the majority of the game. In the fourth inning the Saguaros would pull within one off of an RBI triple and a ground out. Surprise would score two more runs in the top of the seventh, which would appear to be insurance runs. In the bottom of the eighth, the Saguaros would tie the game off of an RBI single and a two RBI ground-rule double. To end the game, in the bottom of the ninth, the game-winning run would score off of a Rafters’ fielding error as the Saguaros win by a run.

Booo!

With Halloween fast approaching now is a good time to try and figure out the scariest Diamondback of all time. We have plenty of candidates in the team’s short history. These are players that would scare the opposition, or players that would scare their own fan base. Considering this team has suffered a few highs and lows in their 11 years, it’s not surprising that they have some truly horrifying players on both sides of the ball. Let’s dive into them.

The easy choice for the scariest D-Back of all time is Randy Johnson. Just look at the dude. His serial killer looks are complimented by his nasty attitude and wicked pitching. The last thing  a team wanted to see was a crazed, 6-10 man with a mullet throwing 90 MPH sliders that were unhittable. He was an intimidating mound presence. Lefties wouldn’t even try and hit him (remember when Larry Walker used to completely duck RJ? That’s what I call scared). His surly attitude rubbed people the wrong way, would you want to approach the guy and try and get an autograph? What about hitting against him? Remember when he threw a fastball over John Kruk’s head in an All-Star game and it caused Kruk to bat from the right side? How about when he destroyed a dove with a fastball? Clearly this was a scary man. This wasn’t the only scary player the D-Backs have ever employed, let’s look at a few more.

Do we consider Curt Schilling scary? We know what he wasn’t scared of, the mystique and aura of the New York Yankees. Not only did he vanquish them in the 2001 World Series, he also shut them down in 2004 as a member of the Red Sox. Schilling didn’t fear the post-season, but hitters in the pot-season sure feared Schilling. Heck, he even pitched one World Series with a bloody sock! That’s pretty Halloween-esque if you ask me.

What about Jon Rauch? The embattled D-Backs reliever looked the part as he stood 6-11 on the mound with a very intimidating neck tattoo. We all know he scared the crap out of D-Backs fans whenever he found his way to the mound.

Three terrifyingly scary words: Eric Byrnes’ Contract

Speaking of scaring D-Backs fans, was there a scarier scenario when Matt Williams came the plate with a runner on first and less than two outs? Williams sure could ground into inning killing double plays. In a similar scenario, what has been scarier these past few years than Chris Young at the plate with a runner on third and less than two outs? Watching Young try and get that runner home was horrifying, but not as horrifying as his batting average last year.

We’ve had our share of scary defenders don the Sedona Red or Teal and Purple. Watching Shea Hillenbrand play first base was a choir. How about watching Justin Upton constantly take wrong angles on a fly balls? What about Mark Reynolds defensive adventures the past few years? The worst was watching Scott Hairston try to play second base. His stone hands made him a scary defensive infielder.

The most frightening moment in D-Backs history has to be when Byung-Hyung Kim took to the mound in a save situation in game five of the 2001 World Series. I don’t think there was a D-Backs fan alive that believed he was going to close the game out.

But the most frightening moment a D-Backs player ever inflicted on another fan base had to have been when Luis Gonzalez came to the plate in the bottom of the 9th in game seven. Yankee fans still have nightmares.

The Peoria Saguaros continued to boast the strength of their pitching staff as they blank the Rafters for their second shutout thrown so far this Fall. Steve Garrison would lead the pitching onslaught with three scoreless innings. Six other Saguaro pitchers would combine for the shutout as they gets some offensive support from their bats. Like Garrison, Lance Zawadzki sports the Friars’ jersey as he would go 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBI. Houston’s Jonathan Gaston and Cincinnati’s Yonder Alonso would also have themselves a pair of RBI as they help launch the Saguaros to their sixth victory. While still in last place due to their early season struggles, the Saguaros continue to close the gap in their division.

The Mesa Solar Sox would make a statement early on by punishing the Scottsdale pitching with eleven runs in the first four innings of play. During those same innings, the Mesa pitching staff was able to hold the Scorpions to four scoreless innings. Andrew Cashner, of the Chicago Cubs, would pitch the four scoreless innings, striking out four. Despite the two Scottsdale homers delivered by Steve Susdorf and Brandon Crawford, the Sox would have enough of a lead that these two shots would not be a factor in the game. The Sox would pummel the Scorpions, winning by seven runs, by a score of 5 to 12.

The Mesa Solar Sox and the Peoria Javelinas would play a close game in Mesa as the Solar Sox would take an early lead with one run in the first and one more in the third inning. In the top of the fifth inning, the Javelinas would get one run to score off of a sacrifice fly by Lucas May scoring Andrew Lambo. The Javelinas would be able to hold Mesa to no more runs as they score two in the eighth inning to come from behind to win the game by a run.

The Surprise Rafters would also have a strong performance from their pitching staff as they blank the Scottsdale Scorpions at Scottsdale Stadium by a score of three to nothing. St. Louis Cardinal Mike Parisi would pitch five scoreless innings, striking out four while only allowing two hits. Arizona Diamondback Bryan Augenstein would notch his second loss during the Arizona Fall League.

Thr Peoria Saguaros would continue their winning as they return from their early season slump to defeat the second place Scorpions in Scottsdale. Saguaro pitching would have another excellent day as they held the Scorpions scoreless through seven. The Saguaros would score two runs in the fifth to be the first team on the board. The two runs would score on a Lance Zawadzki triple and a passed ball. The Saguaros would then have an explosive eighth inning as Chris Heisey homers and Jonathan Gatson hits a grand slam for a total of six runs in the inning. Peoria was able to hold on to the lead as they defeat Scottsdale by a score of 10 to 2.

In the final game of the day, there would be no grand slams as the Javelinas keep in close with the Rafters with their seventh victory of the season. In a game where the hitters were deemed powerless, there were only a total of three runs scored. The Javelinas would score with a Jordan Danks RBI single in the bottom of the third and an Andrew Lambo RBI single in the fifth. The Rafters would score their lone run in the top of the eighth off of a walk by Zach Braddock with the bases loaded. Surprise pitching would combine for a total of eight strikeouts as the Saguaros would counter with ten of their own.

In the Peoria showdown, the Saguaros would earn the 2009 AFL’s first shutout as Mike Minor would take the mound and earn the victory. Six other Saguaro pitchers would combine for the shutout. On the offensive side of things for the Saguaros, Brandon Hicks and Yonder Alonso would have two RBI each, putting four of the six runs on the board for the Peoria team. As for the Javelinas, the team would end up leaving eight runners in scoring position for the game as they fall to the last place Saguaros.

Phoenix continues to do well in 2009 AFL play as they share the lead with the Surprise Rafters but are first in the AFL East. The beginning of the game would look negative as the Scottsdale Scorpions would take the lead first. Making things more difficult for Phoenix was Joe Martinez as he would throw four scoreless innings, striking out three. Martinez continues to be one of the Fall League’s top pitchers with the best ERA for having pitched 10 or more innings. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Phoenix would surge as the team would hit Diamondback prospect Cesar Valdez all over the park, giving up four runs in the five-run fifth. The Desert Dogs would end up holding onto the lead as the defeat Scottsdale by a score of 7 to 3.

For the Phoenix Desert Dogs, Grant Desme would hit his seventh homer of the AFL in their battle against the Rafters. In another game that would yield several runs, there would be plenty of offensive contribution from both teams. For the Rafters, Yankees’ prospect Brandon Laird would drive in five runs, going 3-for-4 with a homerun and a double to add some numbers for the team.. With a score of 15 to 12, the Rafters would prevail as they downed the Desert Dogs in one of the two afternoon games.

In Scottsdale the Scorpions would flirt with a scoreless game as the team contributed eight total runs in the game. While no homeruns were hit, Colorado prospect would deliver three RBI for the Scorpions. Arizona Diamondback Bryan Augenstein had appeared to find his stuff as he would strike out five in three innings pitched for Scottsdale. While the Javelinas were silenced for the majority of the game, Jordan Danks of the White Sox would lead the mission to come from behind in the top of the ninth with three RBI. The Javelinas would score a total of seven runs that inning to tie the game. The Scorpions’ Brandon Crawford would drive in Buster Posey for the game winning RBI on a sharply hit single to the Peoria pitcher.

Mark Reynolds became just the 2nd Diamondback in history to hit more than 40 home runs in a single season. (Photo: Dennis Poroy/AP)

Reynolds enjoyed a great statistical season, hitting 44 home runs, driving in 102 runs, and stealing 24 bases, while hitting .260. He did set the Major League record for most strikeouts in a season for the second straight year, fanning 223 times.

Joining Reynolds on the NL squad are Yadier Molina (C), Albert Pujols (1B) and Ryan Franklin (RP) of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chase Utley (2B) and Jayson Werth (OF) of Philadelphia, Florida’s Hanley Ramirez (SS), Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers (OF), Dodgers’ star Matt Kemp (OF) and Giants right hander Tim Lincecum (SP).

Pujols was named the Sporting News Player of the Year.

The Surprise Rafters would have themselves a close game as the faced the Saguaros in Peoria. The Rafters would score their first run in the second inning and seemed to be pulling away in the fifth, when the Saguaros answered with four runs of their own. However, Peoria would continue to trail for the remainder of the game before a two-run homerun another RBI were scored in the bottom of the ninth that would help close the gap. In what appeared to be a Saguaros comeback, they fell short one run in the bottom of the ninth to lose the game by only one run.

In Scottsdale the Scorpions and the Solar Sox would play in what turned out to be another close game for the day. In the evening matchup, the Solar Sox would take the lead first by scoring four runs in the first and second innings before the Scorpions answered with one run in the third. Both teams would remain scoreless until the Sox added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. The Scorpions would score three more runs but end up falling short as they take the loss. One performance of note was a contribution by San Francisco Giants’ catcher Buster Posey as he would drive in two runs. On the other side of the diamond, Josh Vitters would have a couple of RBI of his own.

The Solar Sox faced the Javelinas in a high-scoring game Tuesday afternoon with solid performances from their one and two batters in the line up. Starlin Castro of the Cubs and Bryan Petersen of the Marlins would both go 4-for-5 in the game against the Javelinas. Between the two, they would have a total of five runs scored. However, the Javs would have themselves an explosive fifth inning with eight runs scored including a grand slam homerun by the Dodgers’ Andrew Lambo. Peoria would go on to win the game by a score of 14 to 10. 

Scottsdale would seek their second win in a row against the Surprise Rafters on Tuesday night that would start with both teams scoring right away in the first inning. The Rafters would finish the first inning trailing the Scorpions and would have a difficult time catching up due to the magnificent pitching by the Scorpions club. Scottsdale pitching would retire 15 consecutive batters during the game, delaying any run support that Surprise needed.

Phoenix would score first against the Saguaros before Peoria would score two runs in the fourth inning to take the lead. The Saguaros, who have yet to win a Fall League matchup, would give up three runs in the sixth inning and another two in the ninth as they are unable to hold onto the lead. Josh Bell would go 4-for-5 with three runs scored, an RBI, one triple and a double. Toronto prospect and left fielder Adam Loewen would drive in three runs for the Desert Dogs. The fantastic Desert Dog pitching would continue as the team is able to come back to defeat the Saguaros.

The evening game was played in Surprise as the Rafters faced off against the Scottsdale Scorpions. The Rafters would score first in the first inning to earn themselves a one to nothing lead. The Scorpions would have themselves an explosive fourth inning as Brandon Allen and Thomas Neal would drive in two runs each. Pitchers Ian Kennedy and Joe Martinez would face off as starting pitchers. The Rafters would score two more runs in the seventh inning but, it would not be enough to take the lead from the Scorpions.

As the Saguaros sought their first victory of the AFL, Mesa would reign victorious as they come from behind to defeat the Peoria Saguaros by a score of 6-to-4. The Saguaros would begin with the lead in to start the game with one run in the first inning. The Solar Sox would not be able to answer until the bottom of the fourth inning, where they would score one run to tie the game. The Saguaros would add on three more runs to reinstate their lead and give them a little bit of insurance. However, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Mesa would see to it that the Saguaros remain winless as they score five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Peoria Javelinas would defeat Scottsdale as they beat up on Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Bryan Augenstein. The Javelinas woud quickly gain the lead and would not score for the remainder of the game. The team’s nine runs scored in the first three innings of play would prove to be enough to maintain the lead. On the other side of the diamond, Dodgers’ prospect Travis Schilchting would throw three innings of no-hit baseball, striking out four. Outfielder Joseph Dunigan would go 3-for-5 with a double, a homer and two RBI against Scottsdale as he played first base for the day. Scottsdale would score all of their runs in the last four innings of play but were not able to catch up to the Javs.