Phoenix Desert Dogs rally falls short, lose to Peoria Javelinas 5-4

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs lost their second consecutive game, falling to the Peoria Javelinas 5-4 on Friday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

The Javelinas took the lead in the second inning. Jonathan Lucroy delivered his second home run of the fall, a solo shot to left field that put the Javelinas ahead 1-0.

The Desert Dogs fought back to tie the game in the seventh inning. Chris Marrero picked up his third home run of the season with a solo blast to tie the game at 1-1.

The game did not stayed tied for long as Peoria posted four runs in the eighth inning to regain the lead. Lorenzo Cain led off the inning with a walk. Jordan Danks followed with a single to move Cain to second. Then Russ Mitchell drove home the first run with an RBI single, scoring Cain and moving Danks to third. Andrew Lambo followed with an RBI single to score Danks. Justin Sellers then singled on a bunt back to the mound, loading the bases for the Javelinas. Jonathan Lucroy then drove home two more runs with a single to center, giving the Javelinas the lead 5-1.

Phoenix mounted a comeback in the home half of the eighth inning. Nevin Ashley got things started with a one out triple to center. Darin Mastroianni followed with a double to right, scoring Ashley. Mastroianni later scored on an RBI single by Shawn O’Malley, with O’Malley advancing to second on the throw. Brandon Snyder then delivered an RBI double that scored O’Malley and pulled the Desert Dogs to within a run of the lead. But Grant Desme struck out to end the inning and the Dogs rally fell short 5-4.

Paul Phillips was tagged for four runs and suffered his first loss of the fall. Phillippe Aumont earned the win and Anthony Varvaro the save for Peoria.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Chris Marrero; 2 for 4 with a home run.

Rays Organization Stats:
Nevin Ashley; 1 for 3 with a triple and a run scored, 2 for 3 in throwing out runners behind the plate.
Matt Gorgen; 1 no-hit inning with a strikeout and a walk.
Shawn O’Malley; 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored, 1 K.
Paul Phillips; suffered first loss, allowed 4 runs on 5 hits in 1/3 of an inning.

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs (10-6) travel to HoHoKam Park on Saturday to play the Mesa Solar Sox (5-10). Robert Ray (0-0, 4.50) will be pitching for Phoenix facing Steve Hirschfeld (0-1, 20.77) for Mesa.