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On Friday afternoon, the Glendale Desert Dogs and Salt River Rafters squared off Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.
Rafters 4, Desert Dogs 1
- Carson Kelly (DH): 0-4
- Paul DeJong (SS): 1-3
- Ryan Sherriff (RP): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
- Rowan Wick (RP): 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
An early two-run established in the top of the first inning still loomed come game’s end, as the Rafters took Friday’s contest from the Desert Dogs by a final score of 4-1.
Rafters starter Zach Jemiola laid the foundation of what ultimately proved to be a fantastic performance from Salt River’s pitching staff. Following Jemiola’s three innings of one-run ball, Arte Lewicki, Jeff Thompson, Akeel Morris, Jerry Vasto, Tyler Spurlin, and Adam Ravenelle each logged a scoreless frame from the fourth on to secure a victory for the Rafters, their ninth of the Arizona Fall League.
The Rafters did their damage off Desert Dogs’ starter Austin Voth of the Nationals, who allowed four earned runs over five innings to fall to 0-2 with a 10.43 earned run average through four starts of the exhibition season, during which he has surrendered seventeen earned runs. His sour performance thus far is an anomaly, considering he posted a 3.15 ERA in 157 innings during the regular season.
For the Rafters, it was two players who manufactured the runs, as Diamondbacks infielders Jamie Westbrook and Kevin Cron each hit two-run homers, their first and second of the AFL, respectively. Westbrook and Cron shared a batting order with the Double-A Mobile Baybears this season, where Cron proved himself as a power hitter by smashing 26 long balls and Westbrook a slash-line guy with a .262/.312/.249.
As for Cardinals in this game, designated hitter Carson Kelly and shortstop Paul DeJong combined to go just 1-for-7. The St. Louis hurlers in this game -- lefties Ryan Sherriff and Rowan Wick -- both logged an inning of work in Glendale’s loss.
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On Saturday, the Desert Dogs will commute to Salt River Fields with the Rafters to face off with this team once again at 1:35 p.m. CT. For the Rafters, Javier Salas of the Brewers’ organization will take the hill, and he’ll go up against Cardinals farmhand Austin Gomber.