GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Fall League playoffs began a day early on Thursday, with the matchup between the Scottsdale Scorpions and Glendale Desert Canine at Camelback Ranch serving as a de facto play-in recreation to Friday’s semifinal contest.
Driving back-to-back homers from Adrian Pinto (Blue Jays) and Jacob Reimer (NYM No. 20) within the seventh inning and a tremendous play by proper fielder Sammy Siani (Pirates) within the eighth, Scottsdale edged previous Glendale, 7-6, to safe the No. 2 seed and set the three-team discipline.
After Glendale bought on the board within the first on an RBI single from the Reds’ Matt McLain, Scottsdale stormed again and held a 6-3 lead after the homers within the seventh. However the Desert Canine refused to go away.
McLain added a two-run single within the eighth to make it 7-6, and one batter later, Gabriel Rincones Jr. (PHI No. 11) despatched a sinking liner out to shallow proper discipline. Siani charged in to make a diving catch and fired to first base from his knees to double off Zyhir Hope (LAD No. 11) for a rally-killing double play.
“Siani has been just a little overshadowed by [AFL Triple Crown winner Josue] Briceño for us, so far as what he means to this ballclub, however he’s an excellent participant,” Scottsdale supervisor Dennis Pelfrey mentioned. “I don’t know that he’s undervalued anyplace, however he’s somebody who form of goes beneath the radar, in my view.”
Ryan Jennings (Blue Jays) locked down the save within the ninth, sending the Scorpions to the playoffs.
It was fairly an accomplishment for the Scorpions, who sat at 9-14 and in fifth place after shedding their second straight on Nov. 4. However Scottsdale dug in, reeled off seven straight wins and shot up the standings.
“We gained 11 out of our final 13 now to get into this spot in a must-win recreation,” Pelfrey mentioned. “To me, no matter season we’re enjoying in, enjoying in a must-win recreation or a recreation which means one thing late in any season is particular.”
The Shock Saguaros already had the No. 1 seed locked up heading into play on Thursday, however Jac Caglianone (KC No. 1/MLB No. 17) and Co. didn’t let up within the season finale, defeating Salt River 10-2 to knock the Rafters right down to the third seed.
SCOTTSDALE SCORPIONSPelfrey’s squad went 16-14, closing the season with a seven-game successful streak to safe the No. 2 seed. They went 1-5 in opposition to Shock and 4-2 in opposition to Salt River.
Key gamers:Josue Briceño (DET No. 9): .433 AVG, 10 HR, 27 RBI to win AFL’s first Triple CrownThayron Liranzo (DET No. 6): 9 XBH, 1.159 OPSSammy Siani (PIT): 1.031 OPS, 18 RBIPeyton Williams (TOR): 3 HR, 12 RBI
The Scorpions are searching for their first Fall League title since 2015 and their fourth championship general.
SALT RIVER RAFTERSManager Tyler Smarslok’s squad additionally went 16-14 however settled for the No. 3 seed on account of their head-to-head file in opposition to Scottsdale (2-4). In addition they went 2-4 in opposition to top-seeded Shock.
Key gamers:Robert Hassell III (WSH No. 13): 4 HR, 19 RBICaleb Durbin (NYY): 5 HR, 21 RBI, 29 SBGarrett Martin (NYY): 5 HR, 16 RBIJuan Guerrero (COL): 4 HR, 18 RBI
The Rafters are searching for their first Fall League championship since 2019 and their sixth title general.
