Cubs Minor League News: AFL Edition |
It's no secret that the Mesa Solar Sox offense has been slumping lately, which is the main reason they have fallen in the standings. With only two weeks remaining in the season, the Solar Sox are going to have to figure out how to get out of this offensive funk, or what was looking like a promising season will go to waste.
Tuesday saw the Solar Sox take a step in the right direction offensively as they put up 11 runs against the Salt River Rafters. The problem was a pitching staff that gave up four crooked number innings, including a trio- of three-run frames, as the Rafters held on for the high-scoring 13-11 win. This was one of those games where the Solar Sox got out early, 2-1 before the Rafters took over to break the game open 9-2. Mesa did make things interesting late by scoring nine times in the final three innings, but it wasn't enough, as the Rafters did what they needed to fend off the Solar Sox. As discussed earlier in the week, both Moises Ballesteros and Ben Cowles have been slumping. Although Ballesteros will be participating in the home run derby on Friday, expect him to get some extra rest over the final two weeks. One player who the Solar Sox can't afford to give a rest right now is Jonathon Long, as he continues to impress in just his second season as a pro. Long has been one of the Solar Sox most productive hitters all season and with two more hits he pushed his average to .345 for the season. Long also worked a pair of walks during the game to reach base four times as he continues to be an on-base monster for his team. Long didn't waste any time getting his night started as he led off the second with a single before coming home on a Mac Horvath single later in the inning to plate the game's first run. Long was just getting started as he reached base on an error in the third before walking in the seventh and eighth innings. His best at bat came in the ninth inning, and it came with a guy on base trailing by four. All it took was one swing from Long to make things interesting. He connected for his fifth homer of the season and pulled the Solar Sox to within 13-11. Long has also driven in 16 runs this season as his impressive stat line continues. Another player who had a great game last week was David Avitia, who was making just his second start of the season. Anytime you can go 4-5 in your first game of a season, things are looking good, and at that point, you're just hoping to carry that momentum over into your next game. Unfortunately for him, that didn't happen as all that positive momentum was haulted with an 0-5 game with three strikeouts being attached to his donught. Those were the only two Cubs in action in this one, as this was a very light night for the Cubs prospects.
