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In a game of small ball, the Scorpions capitalized on five double plays by their defense. Second baseman Kevin Howard (CIN) was solid in the field, doubling off two Desert Dogs at first base. Diamondbacks prospects Corey Myers and Marland Williams each had two hits for the Scorpions. Myers hit two doubles and drove in three runs. Astros prospects Tommy Whiteman and Todd Self added two hits each, combining for four runs and an RBI. James Loney (LA) added a two-run double and Jesse Gutierrez (CIN) drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.

Anaheim prospect Mike Napoli led the Desert Dogs with three hits and a run scored. Catcher Carlos Ruiz (PHI) hit a three-run home run in the losing effort. Pitcher Michael McNutt (FLA) was credited with the loss, his second of the season. With the loss, Grand Canyon gains a game in the National Division playoff race. Grand Canyon trails first-place Phoenix by 2 1/2 games.

Scorpions   010 050 003 9 14 0
Desert Dogs 040 000 000 4  8 0

Rafters 5, Solar Sox 4
The Grand Canyon Rafters entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing by one run, and scored twice to win at home. Four consecutive batters reached base in the bottom of the ninth, including Mitch Jones (NYY), who hit a double to score Chris Shelton (DET) and win the game. The Rafters moved closer to first place; they are now 2 1/2 games behind the Desert Dogs with six games to play.

Mesa took the first lead of the game with three runs in the second inning. Corey Slavik (COL) doubled to score Casey Rogowski (CHW) and give the Solar Sox a 1-0 lead. Mesa took a 3-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by John Nelson (STL) and an RBI single by Corey Sullivan (COL).

Down, 3-2, in the bottom of the seventh, Rafters third baseman Mike Cervenak (SF) hit an RBI single to tie the game. The game remained tied until the ninth inning, when Grand Canyon closer David Aardsma (SF) entered the game. Pedro Lopez (CHW) was the first hitter to face Aardsma, and he hit a solo home run to give Mesa a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth Cervenak hit a single up the middle to tie the game at four. The next batter, Jones, hit a double off the top of the left-field wall to win the game for the Rafters.

Solar Sox 030 000 001 4 10 2
Rafters   011 000 102 5 14 2

Saguaros 14, Javelinas 3
Needing a win to stay in the playoff picture, the Saguaros beat their Peoria counterpart the Javelinas 14-3. The Saguaros scored five runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Sheldon Fulse (BOS) was 3-for-4 and Jason Botts (TEX) was 2-for-3 with two walks for the Saguaros.

The Saguaros took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run double by Ian Kinsler (TEX). Kinsler would hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the third, giving the Saguaros a 4-0 lead. After two Javelinas runs in the bottom of the third, Vito Chairavalloti (TOR) hit a grand slam to give the Saguaros an 8-2 lead. A Chase Lambin (NYM) three-run home run capped off the five-run sixth.

With the win, the Saguaros stay two games behind the Scorpions in the American Division. The Saguaros and Scorpions play each other Friday and Saturday.

Saguaros  202 055 000 14 14 0
Javelinas 002 001 000  3  7 1

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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