Arizona Fall League Continues, Despite Alarming Number of Double Rainbows

As the Javelinas prepare to face off against the Phoenix Desert Dogs today–the same Dogs they victimized all week long–they sit in first place with a 17-11 record.  This has a lot to do with their unfriendly offense, which in their last five games has scored 59 runs.  It’s the AFL, and everybody’s tired, but those are numbers that will notch you wins.  In a 5-2 stretch, they scored eight runs in each of the games that they lost.  I mean, what, is Cliff Lee pitching these games?

Ha ha ha.  No, he isn’t.  And I’m sorry for the insulting nature of my candor.  Let’s go!

As of 11/12:

Tommy Joseph:  45 AB, .178 BA, .425 OPS, 8 SO, 4 RBI

Cody Asche:  75 AB, .280 BA, .806 OPS, 21 H, 10 2B, 1 HR, 11 RBI

Zach Collier:  56 AB, .339 BA, .959 OPS, 19 H, 4 2B, 3 3B, 8 RBI

Kyle Simon:  12.0 IP, 9.00 ERA, 21 H, 12 ER, 8 K, 3 BB

Jay Johnson:  7.1 IP, 9.82 ERA, 8 ER, 13 K, 9 BB

Tyler Knigge:   10.o IP, 9.00 ERA, 13 H, 10 ER, 9 K, 5 BB

Colby Shreve:  10.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 8 H, 5 ER, 6 K, 5 BB

Monday saw the first, that I’ve seen, instance of our three hitting prospects forming a consecutive 6-7-8, 3B-CF-C barrage in the lineup, and better yet, they all delivered!  Cody Asche led the charge with three hits, two doubles, two runs scored, and two RBI.  All Tommy Joseph and Zach Collier could do is try and garnish such a delectable performance, and managed to by each singling and RBI-ing, and Collier scoring again on a walk.  In total, the Phillies prospects were responsible for seven of the Javelinas’ 10 runs in a 10-7 victory over the Salt River Rafters.

The pitching was far less mentionable.  Tyler Knigge came in and registered a strikeout, a walk, and a three run blast to Salt River catcher Sean Ochinko, before being relieved by Jay Johnson, who proceeded to walk every single person on the earth (well, three).

Zach Collier got the only start (in left) on Tuesday, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run against Christian Yelich and the Phoenix Desert Dogs.  Once again, the Javelinas scored double digits in a 13-7 victory that featured zero other Phillies prospects so obviously isn’t really worth talking about.

Not yet satisfied by their bombastic offensive displays, Peoria continued their attack on Phoenix on Wednesday, laying an 8-0 humiliation on the Desert Dogs.  Cody Asche was 1-for-4 with an RBI (though he was the throw-um-out in a strike-um-out/throw-um-out DP in the first) and Jay Johnson put a merciful end on things by allowing a single hit in a scoreless ninth, bringing that pesky ERA down to 9.82.

Thursday saw another trifold appearance by the Phillies hitting trio, though they did go a combined 0-for-9.  But wait, don’t hurl your $35.99 Javelinas hat to the ground in disgust just yet!  They also combined for a total of seven walks.  The Javelinas as a team walked as many times as they had hits (11), which goes a long way in explaining the once again lopsided 12-4 victory over the Scottsdale Scorpions.  On the mound, Tyler Knigge threw up zeroes in an inning of relief, allowing a hit but nullifying it with an ice cold K.

Down 11-4 in the eighth inning on Friday, Peoria appeared to be suffering their first loss of the week.  A thunderous 4-run rally seemed to be a surprise comeback in the making, but to no avail, and the team was forced to walk away with an 11-8 loss to the Surprise Saguaros.  Asche went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and another walk, while Collier, starting in center, went a pulse-pounding 3-for-3 with two singles and a double… and a walk.

Saturday was another 11-8 loss, this time to the Mesa Solar Sox, and probably because Asche and Collier were kept out of the lineup, though Asche was dealing with some personal issues.

Tommy Joseph got a shot, though, and went 2-for-5 with an RBI, bumping that batting average up to the .178 it sits at today.  Once more, no Phillies pitchers were permitted to touch the ball, out of probably exhaustion and the fact that they seem to give up many, many runs and walks when they do.