Dan reports, "In his four innings of work, he did well. The 20 second clock (under the 'Pace of the Game' rules being which are being tested in the AFL this season) did get Appel twice, but other than that he dominated the Saguaros. He started out somewhat shaky but once he settled down, he only allowed one hit, two bases on balls to go with six strikeouts which were impressive. He used his fastball efficiently which allowed him to use his slider and change up to keep the hitters off balance.
"What really stood out in this game was how well the Houston Astros contigent performed in the game. Ruiz had a defensive gem in the bottom of the 3rd that really set the tone of the game. Ruiz, Aplin and Heineman had six of the 7 hits the Rafters recorded. Aplin's triple in the 8th provided the game's only run. It was a needed win as Scottsdale won a slugfest in Mesa and are only a game behind Salt River."
"What really stood out in this game was how well the Houston Astros contigent performed in the game. Ruiz had a defensive gem in the bottom of the 3rd that really set the tone of the game. Ruiz, Aplin and Heineman had six of the 7 hits the Rafters recorded. Aplin's triple in the 8th provided the game's only run. It was a needed win as Scottsdale won a slugfest in Mesa and are only a game behind Salt River."
Dan also provided a few photos of Appel in action, sporting high socks to go with his Rafters cap.
And, of course, our own Wallee Wright checked in with us as well ~
Your Astros played leading roles in an absolutely brilliantly played ball game last night as the Salt River Rafters defeated the Surprise Saguaros 1-0 at Salt River Field, completing a two game series sweep of the Saguaros who still lead the AFL West but are no longer the best hitting team in the Arizona Fall League. Astros pitchers struck out ten in six innings work and Astros hitters had six of the seven Rafters hits, including the game winning triple in the bottom of the eighth by none other than the Rafters’ leading hitter, Andrew Aplin.
Mark Appel walked the first batter he faced, but then struck out the next four on his way to a four-inning, one hit, two walk, six strikeout slap-down of the powerful Saguaro lineup … Mark also became the first pitcher to incur a twenty-second clock infraction and automatic called ball in this just the second contest featuring that device. Mitch Lambson worked an inning, struck out the side and was the only Salt River pitcher on the evening who did not give up one hit … and by that I mean four different Rafter hurlers gave up a hit apiece, but not Mitch. And Tyson Perez put the capper on the evening with a shaky ninth inning, earning the Save despite giving up a hit, a walk and a wild pitch … like they say, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
Tyler Heineman, Rio Ruiz and Andrew Aplin pushed the action all night and with just a little help from their supporting cast the Rafters’ victory might have been a bit more decisive and less nerve-wracking … Aplin singled with one out in the first but was stranded, Ruiz led of the second with a single and was scrubbed in an inning-ending double play. In the third, Heineman followed a leadoff single with one of his own only to have Byron Buxton ground into a force at second and then get picked off first … and a fly ball ended the inning with a runner on third.
Rio had a two-out single in the fourth, but the Astros’ bats went silent in the fifth and sixth innings though Ruiz did draw a walk in the seventh … but it all came together for our boys in the eighth. Tyler singled to right with one out and was promptly replaced for a pinch-runner … but once again Buxton failed to deliver leaving the runner at first with two out for Andrew Aplin. No problem … on a one ball count Andrew ripped a screamer down the right field line and into the corner of the bullpen and the race was on – the throw back to the infield was too late to challenge the runner at the plate and no play was made on Andrew sliding into third base.
And as they say in big-time radio, “And that’s your ballgame, sports fans” … Rafters win 1-0 and are now 6-1 on the season and still leading the 5-2 Scottsdale Scorpions by one game. As a matter of fact, Salt River and Scottsdale are the only two teams in the six-team AFL with winning records after the first seven days of baseball.
~ Wallee Wright ~
Mark Appel - October 2014
Photo courtesy of Dan Nelson
And, of course, our own Wallee Wright checked in with us as well ~
Mark Appel walked the first batter he faced, but then struck out the next four on his way to a four-inning, one hit, two walk, six strikeout slap-down of the powerful Saguaro lineup … Mark also became the first pitcher to incur a twenty-second clock infraction and automatic called ball in this just the second contest featuring that device. Mitch Lambson worked an inning, struck out the side and was the only Salt River pitcher on the evening who did not give up one hit … and by that I mean four different Rafter hurlers gave up a hit apiece, but not Mitch. And Tyson Perez put the capper on the evening with a shaky ninth inning, earning the Save despite giving up a hit, a walk and a wild pitch … like they say, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.
Tyler Heineman, Rio Ruiz and Andrew Aplin pushed the action all night and with just a little help from their supporting cast the Rafters’ victory might have been a bit more decisive and less nerve-wracking … Aplin singled with one out in the first but was stranded, Ruiz led of the second with a single and was scrubbed in an inning-ending double play. In the third, Heineman followed a leadoff single with one of his own only to have Byron Buxton ground into a force at second and then get picked off first … and a fly ball ended the inning with a runner on third.
Rio had a two-out single in the fourth, but the Astros’ bats went silent in the fifth and sixth innings though Ruiz did draw a walk in the seventh … but it all came together for our boys in the eighth. Tyler singled to right with one out and was promptly replaced for a pinch-runner … but once again Buxton failed to deliver leaving the runner at first with two out for Andrew Aplin. No problem … on a one ball count Andrew ripped a screamer down the right field line and into the corner of the bullpen and the race was on – the throw back to the infield was too late to challenge the runner at the plate and no play was made on Andrew sliding into third base.
And as they say in big-time radio, “And that’s your ballgame, sports fans” … Rafters win 1-0 and are now 6-1 on the season and still leading the 5-2 Scottsdale Scorpions by one game. As a matter of fact, Salt River and Scottsdale are the only two teams in the six-team AFL with winning records after the first seven days of baseball.
~ Wallee Wright ~
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