Phoenix Desert Dogs defeat Surprise Rafters 10-2

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs defeated the Surprise Rafters 10-2 on Monday. The Desert Dogs took an early lead in the first inning and never looked back. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases for Phoenix. Chris Marrero then delivered a two run single. Grant Desme followed with an RBI single to score Daryl Jones and give the Desert Dogs a 3-0 lead.

Phoenix led of the third inning with back to back singles by Danny Espinosa and Brandon Snyder. Chris Marrero followed with a fly ball to right that moved Espinosa over to third base. Espinosa then scored on a wild pitch to increase the lead to 4-0.

Surprise reached the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brandon Laird led off the inning with a double to center. Laird later scored on a ground out by Ruben Tejada for the Rafter’s first run of the night.

The Desert Dogs posted three more runs to their total in the sixth inning. Grant Desme and Josh Bell led off the inning with back to back singles. Corey Brown then drove home Desme with a ground ball to first. Nevin Ashley later followed with an RBI single to score Brown. Ashley later scored on a double by Jemile Weeks to give the Desert Dogs a 7-1 lead.

Surprise got another run in the eighth inning as Daryl Jones led off with a triple to right field. Jones then scored on a ground out by Ruben Tejada for the second run of the night for the Rafters.

The Desert Dogs posted another three run inning to close the game in the ninth inning. Jemile Weeks and Danny Espinosa picked up back to back singles to get things started. Brandon Snyder then drew a walk to load the bases for Phoenix. Chris Marrero followed with a 3 run double to give the Desert Dogs the 10-2 margin of victory.

Stephen Strasburg improved to 3-1 with his longest outing of his career, going five innings and allowing one run with six strikeouts. Matt Harrison was the losing pitcher for Surprise.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Stephen Strasburg; improved to 3-1 by allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 6 K’s and a walk in 5 innings on the mound.

Rays Organization Stats:
Nevin Ashley; 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs (12-6) rematch against Surprise Rafters (8-10) on Tuesday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Mitch Talbot (2-0) will be pitching against Aaron Crow (0-1).