Phoenix Desert Dogs rally to defeat Peoria Javelinas

The Game: The Phoenix Desert Dogs overcame a five run deficit in the late innings to squeeze by the Peoria Javelinas 7-6 on Wednesday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Peoria took the lead in the first inning. Jordan Danks delivered a two out single to get things going. Danks later scored on an RBI single by Andrew Lambo to give Peoria a 1-0 lead.

The Desert Dogs tied the game in the bottom of the first. Danny Espinosa and Corey Brown delivered back to back singles for the D-Dogs. Then Chris Marrero picked up an RBI with a single to center, scoring Espinosa to tie the game.

The 1-1 tie held until the top of the sixth inning. Brent Morel singled to left to get things started. Morel then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Jonathan Lucroy and Joseph Dunigan drew walks to load the bases for Peoria. CJ Retherford drew a bases loaded walk to give the Javelinas a 2-1 lead.

Peoria added to their lead in the seventh inning, striking for two runs. Jordan Danks singled to center with two outs to get it started. Brent Morel then delivered a two run home run to increase the lead to 4-1.

The Javelinas scored two more runs in the eighth inning. The runs came in the form of another long ball. This time it was a two run blast by Trayvon Robinson to give Peoria a 6-1 lead.

The Desert Dogs rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning. Josh Bell got the rally started with a double to center. Shawn O’Malley then drew a walk and Darin Mastroianni was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Matt Angle singled home two runs with line drive to right. Danny Espinosa followed with an RBI single to score Mastroianni and move Angle to second. Corey Brown drove home two runs with double to right scoring Angle and Espinosa to tie the game. Brown later scored the go ahead run on a single by Chris Marrero to give Phoenix the 7-6 win.

Josh Perrault earned the win, improving to 1-1 on the season. Drew Storen picked up his fourth save.

Phoenix Desert Dogs Player of the Game: Corey Brown; knocked in the tying run and scored the winning run, went 3 for 4 with a double, 2 RBI’s and a run scored.

Rays Organization Stats:
Nevin Ashley; 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
Shawn O’Malley; 0 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored, 1 pick-off behind the plate on a snap throw to first.
Heath Rollins; 2 runs on 3 hits with a strikeout in an inning on the mound.

A Look Ahead: The Phoenix Desert Dogs wrap up the 2009 Arizona Fall League regular season on Thursday against the Surprise Rafters.