On Monday the Mesa Solar Sox beat the Surprise Rafters 28-1. Mesa scored 2+ runs in every inning from the second onward and was the beneficiary of eight errors which led to nine unearned runs. I feel a bit cheated that Tim Kurkjian has not delivered a report. Hitters that particularly enjoyed this stat padding day included: Jason Donald (PHI – SS), Jeremy Slayden (PHI – OF), Steve Clevenger (CHC – C), Scott Cousins (FLA – OF), and Matt Young (ATL – OF). In other action Pedro Viola (CIN) and Adam Ottavino (STL) pitched well in their starts, neither walked a hitter. A pair of catchers, Josh Thole (NYM) and Chad Huffman (SDG) combined for six hits, three doubles. Kevin Frandsen (SF – 2B) went 4-4 and Drew Sutton (HOU – IF) homered and reached base three times.

On Tuesday Sean West (FLA) allowed four base runners over five innings and one run. A bigger story was his batterymate Tyler Flowers (ATL – C) who went 4-5 with two HR. Other players with four hits on the day were Sean Kazmar (SDG – OF) and Justin Turner (CIN – 2B). Daniel Murphy (NYM – 2B), Austin Jackson (NYY – OF), Steven Tollison (MIN – 2B), and Rhyne Hughes (TAM – 1B) each collected three hits with Hughes including a triple and a home run. For the second straight day Eric Young (OF – COL) had two hits, a double, and a steal. Aaron Poreda (CHX) got his inning of work in, retired all three hitters, two on strikeouts.

Clay Buchholz took the loss in his game Wednesday, and struggled. In 4.1 IP he gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk. He struck out only two. On the positive side none of the hits were for extra bases and he is carrying an ERA of 2.92 into his next start. Starting opposite him was Luis Marte (DET) who threw four stellar innings, allowing one run and striking out eight. He was backed up by Kris Melden (ATL) for two one-hit innings. Through 10 innings Melden has a 1.80 ERA and a 9:1 K:BB. Jason Donald (4-6, 2B) and Logan Morrison (FLA – 1B) (5-5) did the most damage off Buccholz. Offensive stars from other games include Sean Henry (CIN – 1B) 4-6, HR, 5 RBI, Carlos Triunfel (SEA – SS) 3-6, RBI, SB, Rhyne Hughes 3-6, 2 RBI, Justin Turner (CIN – 2B) 4-6, 2B, RBI, and Desmond Jennings (TAM – OF) 3-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI. Leonard Davis (WSH – OF) and Tyler Greene (STL – SS) homered in support of Bobby Parnell (NYM) 4 IP, H, 0 BB, 5 K.

Thursday Max Scherzer stretched out to seven innings and 93 pitches. The results were terrific, only three hits, a walk, and six strikeouts. A first innings home run by Austin Jackson accounted for the only damage. Scherzer’s teammates Steven Tollison (MIN – 2B), JP Arencibia (TOR – C), and Eric Young provided more than enough offense to get Max his first win. Jason Vargas (NYM) pitched five shutout innings on only 54 pitches. Stephen Merek (ATL) picked up a win in relief and is currently unscored upon. He was part of this summers Mark Teixeira trade package. Daniel Murphy and Drew Sutton continued to produce, generating two hits each and combining for five RBI.

Saturday was another AFL day dominated by hitters. Tyler Flowers sewed up offensive player of the week honors with two hits and a home run. Wes Hodges (CLE – 3B) went deep twice. Jeff Larish (DET – 1B), Cole Armstrong (CHX – C), Bill Rinehart (WSH – 1B), Mark Wagner (BOS – C), Sean Doolittle (OAK – 1B/OF), and Michael McHenry (COL – C) all collected a home run and at least two hits. Quintin Berry (PHI – OF) had three hits for the second straight day and Tyler Greene (STL – SS) reached base again, he has played eight games in the AFL and gotten on in each of them. Rhyne Hughes homered. At week’s end he led the league in hits and RBI. Eric Young went 3-5 with a double and a triple, and stole his league leading ninth base.