The Mesa Solar Sox haven’t gotten off to a great start for the Arizona Fall League, which kicked off on October 4th. The Solar Sox, who have prospects from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles organizations, have gone 0-5. They trail Salt River Rafters in the AFL East who are 4-1 so far this season.
- Left-hander Nathan Baker started for the Solar Sox on Saturday night against the Rafters. He allowed one run on four hits over 2.1 innings. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. Baker threw 46 pitches, 32 for strikes. After striking out Grossman Erickson to start the 3rd inning, Baker allowed back-to-back singles before getting pulled from the game. With two outs, reliever Bruce Pugh allowed a RBI single to center field, the lone run charged to Baker in his first start.
- Right-hander Mike Colla has made one appearance from the bullpen where he allowed one run (unearned) on one hit over 1.2 innings. He walked one and struck out two.
- Righty Phil Irwin, like Colla, has appeared in one outing from the ‘pen. He allowed two runs on three hits over 2.1 innings of relief. Both runs charged to Irwin came via the long ball.
- Infielder Jarek Cunningham struggled in his first two games, going 0-for-8 at the plate with three strikeouts. In his last two games, Cunningham has collected a hit in both games, one of them a two-run homer.
- Outfielder Robbie Grossman continues to prove why Pittsburgh named him their Minor League Player-of-the-Year. Grossman, who has played in all five games so far, hit a home run in each of his first two games where he went 5-for-9 with three RBI. Overall, Grossman has gone 7-for-22 (.318 avg) with a 1.011 OPS.
- Gerrit Cole, the No.1 overall pick in the 2011 draft this season, has not yet made his debut. Cole is still pitching in the Instructional League in Bradenton, Fla.
- Infielder Brock Holt also remains at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla. Holt injured his hamstring the day before he was supposed to head to Arizona.
Photo credit: MILB
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