tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317 2009-11-20T05:51:47Z Baltimoresun.com's Dean Jones Jr. blogs about minor league baseball Movable Type 3.36 tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.222132 2009-11-20T03:39:39Z 2009-11-20T05:51:47Z

The Surprise Rafters scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Phoenix Desert Dogs, 7-4, in the regular-season finale for both teams in the Arizona Fall League. After finishing with a 19-13 record in the...

Dean Jones Jr. Stephen Strasburg was originally scheduled to start Saturday's game for the Desert Dogs, but he has been scratched due to a sore knee, according to MLB.com. It's unclear who will start in Strasburg's place at this time. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Surprise Rafters 7, Phoenix Desert Dogs 4 (Box score) Recap: In today's game, Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell hit another double, collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly and scored a run for the Desert Dogs. The 23-year-old infielder hit a double in his final five games of the regular season, smacking 10 total in 23 games in Arizona. Bell batted .319 with two home runs and 19 RBIs for Phoenix. On the other hand, Orioles minor league center fielder Matt Angle continued to struggle for the Desert Dogs. The 24-year-old outfielder was 0-for-4 with a walk in today's game, dropping his batting average to .237 in 19 games in Arizona. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.221960 2009-11-19T02:39:28Z 2009-11-19T02:58:56Z

For most of today's game, the Peoria Javelinas dominated the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League. The Desert Dogs, however, scored six runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth for a 7-6 victory. Both teams...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 7, Peoria Javelinas 6 (Box score) Recap: Designated hitter Matt Angle hit a two-run single that started the Desert Dogs' rally. Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in the eighth. The 23-year-old infielder leads Phoenix with nine doubles, which is also good enough for second in the AFL. Relief pitcher Josh Perrault (1-1) allowed a two-run home run to Javelinas center fielder Trayvon Robinson, but he was still credited with the win after the Desert Dogs made their comeback. Orioles minor league starting pitcher Ryohei Tanaka gave up one unearned run and three hits in four innings for Phoenix. The Japanese right-hander, who turned 27 today, walked one batter and struck out four, throwing 36 of his 53 pitches for strikes.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.221777 2009-11-17T23:34:07Z 2009-11-17T23:54:11Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs' five-game winning streak was snapped by the Scottsdale Scorpions, 5-4, in the Arizona Fall League today. Despite the loss, the Desert Dogs will attempt to win their sixth consecutive league championship Saturday. With an 18-12 record...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Scottsdale Scorpions 5, Phoenix Desert Dogs 4 (Box score) Recap: Third baseman Josh Bell was 1-for-5 with a double in the Desert Dogs' loss to Scottsdale. He also grounded into a double play. The 23-year-old infielder, who homered in yesterday's game, is batting .321 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 21 games for the Desert Dogs. Bell also leads his team with eight doubles. Phoenix right fielder Matt Angle was 0-for-4 with a walk and a run scored. In 18 games, Angle is hitting .254 with seven stolen bases and 17 runs scored. He is 4-for-35 (.114) in his past 10 games. Orioles minor league relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa allowed one unearned run and two hits in one inning for Phoenix. The 24-year-old right-hander struck out one batter and threw 13 of his 22 pitches for strikes.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.221224 2009-11-13T04:53:57Z 2009-11-13T05:08:47Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs took control of the Arizona Fall League East Division with an 11-5 victory over the second-place Mesa Solar Sox tonight. With the victory, the Desert Dogs (15-11) increased their lead to 2 1/2 games over the...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 11, Mesa Solar Sox 5 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell was 2-for-5 with three RBIs in the Desert Dogs' win. Relief pitcher Josh Perrault tossed one scoreless inning for the Desert Dogs. The Orioles minor league right-hander struck out two batters and allowed one hit. Perrault threw 15 of his 18 pitches for strikes. In nine games in Arizona, Perrault is 0-1 with a 2.08 ERA. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.221034 2009-11-12T05:00:30Z 2009-11-12T05:25:57Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs pounded the Scottsdale Scorpions, 12-3, in the Arizona Fall League tonight to snap a three-game losing streak. With seven games remaining in the regular season, the Desert Dogs are 14-11 and in first place in the...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 12, Scottsdale Scorpions 3 (Box score) Recap: Designated hitter Josh Bell was 2-for-5 with an RBI double in the Desert Dogs' victory. Orioles minor league center fielder Matt Angle added a sacrifice fly, a single and two runs scored for Phoenix. Angle also picked up his seventh stolen base in Arizona. First baseman Brandon Waring was 0-for-4 with a sacrifice fly for the Desert Dogs. In nine games during the fall showcase, Waring is batting .257 (9-for-35) with two home runs, nine RBIs and 13 strikeouts. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in tonight's game. I'm told that Brandon Snyder isn't in Arizona anymore, but there is no reason to panic. The Orioles just feel he has done enough this season. Snyder hit .354 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 17 games.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.220834 2009-11-11T15:15:48Z 2009-11-11T15:23:04Z

With the holiday season approaching quickly, the Double-A Bowie Baysox are offering a special ticket package to fans for the 2010 season. If you purchase a package, which is $79.95 plus $5.95 in shipping and handling, you'll receive six lower...

Dean Jones Jr. Brian Matusz bobblehead doll and your choice between a Baysox home replica hat or $15 worth of Baysox Bucks. In eight starts for the Baysox in 2009, Matusz was 7-0 with a 1.55 ERA. "Matusz was so good when he was here," Baysox director of marketing Brandan Kaiser said in a statement. "Our fans will really enjoy adding his bobblehead to their Baysox memorabilia collections." In order for the packages to be delivered before the holidays, all packages will be shipped on Dec. 14. Fans can also choose to pick up their tickets at the Baysox box office between Dec. 15 and Dec. 23. Check out the Baysox Web site for more information or to buy tickets. You can also make your purchases by calling the Baysox group sales department at (301) 464-4880.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.220874 2009-11-11T04:32:05Z 2009-11-11T04:41:48Z

Two early runs were more than enough for the Scottsdale Scorpions to send the Phoenix Desert Dogs to their third consecutive loss in the Arizona Fall League. The Scorpions scored once in each of the first two innings and blanked...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Scottsdale Scorpions 2, Phoenix Desert Dogs 0 (Box score) Recap: Third baseman Josh Bell picked up one of the Desert Dogs' four hits in the loss. The 22-year-old infielder was 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Orioles minor league relief pitchers Eddie Gamboa and Josh Perrault each tossed a scoreless inning. Gamboa allowed one hit and threw 11 of his 12 pitches for strikes, while Perrault walked one batter and tossed eight of 14 pitches for strikes. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.220698 2009-11-10T05:15:39Z 2009-11-10T08:41:48Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs were edged by the Peoria Javelinas, 4-3, in the Arizona Fall League. With their second consecutive defeat, the Desert Dogs' lead in the AFL East Division was shortened to 2 1/2 games over the Mesa Solar...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Peoria Javelinas 4, Phoenix Desert Dogs 3 (Box score) Recap: Only two Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game for Phoenix. Desert Dogs designated hitter Brandon Snyder was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored. In 17 games in Arizona, the 22-year-old infielder is batting .354 with three home runs and 18 RBIs. Snyder also has five doubles, one triple and 17 runs scored. Snyder is tied for fifth in the league in RBIs, tied for third in runs scored and tied for ninth in hits (23). Right fielder Matt Angle was 0-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout while batting in the leadoff spot for the Desert Dogs. The 24-year-old outfielder is 1-for-19 in his past five games. Angle is hitting .275 with five RBIs, 11 runs scored and six stolen bases in 12 games.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.220487 2009-11-08T05:35:31Z 2009-11-08T06:18:49Z

The AFL East Division team scored seven runs in the top of the first inning of the Rising Stars Showcase in the Arizona Fall League, but it wasn't enough for the victory. After chipping away at the lead, the West...

Dean Jones Jr. Rising Stars Showcase Score: AFL West 8, AFL East 7 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell hit a sacrifice fly and also walked in the loss for the AFL East Division in the game. First baseman Brandon Snyder played the entire game for the AFL East Division, and he was 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout. Orioles minor league right-hander Brandon Erbe was selected for the East squad, but he didn't play.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.220445 2009-11-07T03:04:51Z 2009-11-07T03:12:56Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs were doubled up by the Scottsdale Scorpions in an 8-4 loss during the Arizona Fall League today. Despite the defeat, the Desert Dogs are 13-9 and still in first place in the AFL East Division. Phoenix...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Scottsdale Scorpions 8, Phoenix Desert Dogs 4 (Box score) Recap: Third baseman Brandon Waring hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, but he also struck out twice in the Desert Dogs' loss. Waring, who also committed a throwing error in the game, is hitting .290 with two home runs and nine RBIs in eight games for Phoenix this season. Desert Dogs center fielder Matt Angle was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly. The 24-year-old outfielder also grounded into a double play and picked up an outfield assist. Orioles minor league first baseman Brandon Snyder was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Snyder's four-game hitting streak was snapped in the loss. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played in today's game.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.220292 2009-11-06T04:27:24Z 2009-11-06T05:03:18Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs survived a slugfest today, earning a 12-11 victory over the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League. Phoenix continues to lead the AFL East Division with a 13-8 record. The Mesa Solar Sox and Scottsdale Scorpions...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 12, Peoria Saguaros 11 (Box score) Recap: Designated hitter Brandon Snyder was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two RBIs in the Desert Dogs' victory over the Saguaros. The 22-year-old infielder also walked twice and scored a run. Orioles minor league third baseman Josh Bell was 1-for-5 with a walk and two strikeouts for Phoenix. Starting pitcher Ryohei Tanaka was roughed up for five runs and eight hits in three innings for the Desert Dogs. The 26-year-old right-hander also pitched to four batters in the fourth before being removed. Desert Dogs relief pitchers Eddie Gamboa and Josh Perrault also appeared in today's game. Gamboa struggled in two-thirds of an inning, giving up two runs and three hits, while Perrault recorded the final out to pick up his first save in Arizona.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.220098 2009-11-05T00:20:45Z 2009-11-05T06:22:25Z

The Phoenix Desert Dogs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but their rally fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Peoria Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League. Despite the loss, Phoenix is still in first...

Dean Jones Jr. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Peoria Saguaros 3, Phoenix Desert Dogs 2 (Box score) Recap: Third baseman Brandon Waring was 1-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts for Phoenix. Orioles minor league center fielder Matt Angle was hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts for the Desert Dogs, but he picked up an RBI when he was hit by a pitch with two outs in the ninth. Phoenix first baseman Brandon Snyder was 1-for-3 with a walk. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played for the Desert Dogs in the loss.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.219900 2009-11-04T01:30:45Z 2009-11-04T01:42:54Z

In case you missed my post earlier, Orioles minor leaguers Brandon Snyder and Brandon Erbe were selected for the Rising Stars Showcase in the Arizona Fall League, which will take place Saturday night. The Phoenix Desert Dogs fell to the...

Dean Jones Jr. Brandon Snyder and Brandon Erbe were selected for the Rising Stars Showcase in the Arizona Fall League, which will take place Saturday night. The Phoenix Desert Dogs fell to the Surprise Rafters, 6-5, in 11 innings today. Despite the loss, the Desert Dogs remain in first place in the AFL East Division with a 12-7 record. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Surprise Rafters 6, Phoenix Desert Dogs 5, 11 innings (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league relief pitcher Josh Perrault (0-1) suffered the loss for the Desert Dogs after surrendering one run, three hits and one walk in one inning. Relief pitcher Eddie Gamboa was more successful in his outing for Phoenix. The 24-year-old right-hander gave up two hits in two innings, but he didn't allow any runs. Gamboa threw 13 of his 18 pitches for strikes. In four games for the Desert Dogs this season, Gamboa has allowed two runs (one earned) in 6 1/3 innings. He has struck out two batters and issued one walk in Arizona. Designated hitter Josh Bell was 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI for the Desert Dogs. The 22-year-old infielder struck out twice. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers appeared in today's game for Phoenix.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.219859 2009-11-03T20:48:04Z 2009-11-03T21:27:17Z

The fourth annual Arizona Fall League Rising Stars Showcase is scheduled for Saturday night in Surprise, Ariz., and two Orioles minor leaguers will be representing the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the event. Starting pitcher Brandon Erbe and first baseman Brandon...

Dean Jones Jr. Brandon Erbe and first baseman Brandon Snyder were selected to represent the organization in the fall showcase. Double-A Bowie Baysox coach Moe Hill, who is a coach with the Desert Dogs, is also going to be in attendance. Through Monday, in three starts for Phoenix, Erbe has a 2.00 ERA and nine strikeouts in nine innings. The 21-year-old right-hander has given up three runs (two earned) and eight hits. Erbe was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA in 18 starts while splitting the regular season between the Baysox and the short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds. Snyder ranks among the AFL leaders in several offensive categories through Monday's game. The 22-year-old infielder is ninth in the league with a .365 batting average, third with 16 RBIs and tied for third with 15 runs scored. The Orioles' first-round draft pick in the 2005 MLB draft batted .289 with 12 home runs and 88 RBIs in 131 games while splitting time between the Baysox and Triple-A Norfolk Tides in 2009. Snyder hit .343 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs in 58 games for Bowie before struggling with the Tides. He only batted .248 with two home runs and 43 RBIs in 73 games at the Triple-A level. The Rising Stars Showcase will be broadcast on the MLB Network at 8:15 p.m. EST on Saturday. I'll also provide a recap of the game on the blog later that night.]]> tag:weblogs.baltimoresun.com,2009:/sports/minors/blog//317.219720 2009-11-02T22:03:45Z 2009-11-02T22:34:31Z

Last week, several people asked if any of the games in the Arizona Fall League would be televised, and I wasn't sure about an answer at the time. However, it was announced Friday that MLB Network will broadcast two upcoming...

Dean Jones Jr. will broadcast two upcoming games -- the fourth annual Rising Stars Game (Saturday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.) and the AFL championship (Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m.). In today's action, the Phoenix Desert Dogs defeated the Surprise Rafters, 10-2, in the fall showcase for minor leaguers. Phoenix remains in first place in the AFL East Division with a 12-6 record. Phoenix Desert Dogs Score: Phoenix Desert Dogs 10, Surprise Rafters 2 (Box score) Recap: Orioles minor league first baseman Brandon Snyder displayed a good eye in the Desert Dogs' victory over Surprise. The 22-year-old infielder was 1-for-1 with four walks and two runs scored. Defensively, Snyder helped to turn three double plays for Phoenix. Third baseman Josh Bell was 1-for-4 with a walk for the Desert Dogs, and right fielder Matt Angle was hitless in four at-bats in his return to the lineup. Before today's game, Angle hadn't played since last Monday. None of the other Orioles minor leaguers played today for the Desert Dogs.]]>