AFL Update. Games underway.

[Randar68]

From MLB.com.



Desert Dogs 5, Solar Sox 4

Josh Wilson (FLA) hit a solo shot in the bottom of the first inning to give the Desert Dogs an early 1-0 lead. In the third, Jeremy Hermida (FLA) added to the lead with a deep homer to right scoring Wilson, who had walked earlier.

The Solar Sox finally got on the board in the fourth when Brian Anderson (CWS) drew a walk with two outs. Casey Rogowski (CWS) followed with a walk and Jeff Baker (COL) hit a single to short to load the bases. Anderson scored on a passed ball by catcher John Baker (OAK) and the Sox trailed the Dogs 3-1.



In the sixth inning, Chris Duncan (STL) singled to center and Jayson Nix (COL) hit a liner passed the shortstop to put runners on first and second. Joey Gathright (TB) reached on a fielders choice and an erratic throw past the first baseman allowed Duncan to score, bringing the Sox within a run.



Mike Napoli (ANA) responded for the Dogs with a blast over the left field wall in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Dogs a 4-2 lead.



Duncan led off the eighth with a single to right field, Nix followed with a single advancing Duncan to third. With runners on first and third, Gathright hit into a double play, scoring Duncan. The Sox pulled within a run again.



The game was tied up in the ninth when Gabe Johnson (STL) drove a ball passed the shortstop for a base hit. Johnson stole second and scored when Casey Rogowski (CHC) reached first on an error.



Anaheim’s Tommy Murphy led off the bottom of the tenth with a triple to right-center field, eventually scoring on a passed ball to secure the win for the Desert Dogs.



Solar Sox 000 101 011 0 4 14 1Desert Dogs 102 000 100 1 5 9 2Solar Sox: Wainwright, McClellan (3), Cavazos (5), Walton (7), Smith (8), Rohlicek (9)
Desert Dogs: Bucktrot, Bergman (4), McNutt (5), Giese (6), Rouwenhorst (7), Street (7), Messenger (9), Keppinger (10)
WP - Keppinger (1-0), LP - Rohlicek (0-1), SV - None. Time – 3:21.



Full Box scores weren't available, but will be the rest of the season.

[MRKARNO]

It's really important to see how Brian Anderson can do this year in the AFL because if he does really well then we might have a very good outfield option on opening day in him, even if it takes a few months to get in the groove. Every time he has been healthy, he has shown that he can dominate the pitching he's been faced with so far.

[Mohoney]

Originally Posted by MRKARNO

It's really important to see how Brian Anderson can do this year in the AFL because if he does really well then we might have a very good outfield option on opening day in him, even if it takes a few months to get in the groove. Every time he has been healthy, he has shown that he can dominate the pitching he's been faced with so far.

I think he needs at least some time in AAA, unless his AFL and Spring Training numbers are just so off the charts that they defy logic.

Is it really worth it to keep him as a reserve OF? Or are you talking about starting him?

[MarkEdward]

Originally Posted by MRKARNO

It's really important to see how Brian Anderson can do this year in the AFL because if he does really well then we might have a very good outfield option on opening day in him, even if it takes a few months to get in the groove. Every time he has been healthy, he has shown that he can dominate the pitching he's been faced with so far.

I don't think the Sox should be basing personnel decisions on AFL stats/games. Too small of a sample size and a big hitter environment muddle the stats too much, I think.

Aside from this, when Anderson does reach the majors, I'd rather see him start (or at least platoon with another outfielder) instead of sitting on the bench as a fifth outfielder (which he'd be doing if he made the team in 2005).

[Randar68]

Originally Posted by Mohoney

I think he needs at least some time in AAA, unless his AFL and Spring Training numbers are just so off the charts that they defy logic.

Is it really worth it to keep him as a reserve OF? Or are you talking about starting him?

He won't be here unless he's starting, at least in 2005. They won't bring him in unless he's going to play everyday, whick I believe is what MRKARNO is implying.