A benefit of being in a six-team league with a limited schedule is that every team makes the postseason. So even though Glendale Desert Dogs had the worst record in the Arizona Fall League at 10-17, not only got to play in a playoff game on Thursday, but will also now play Friday, too.
That’s because Glendale turned a 5-2 deficit after six innings into a 17-5 romp over the Scottsdale Scorpions on Thursday afternoon.
Charles Davalan was designated to hit on Thursday and did just that, reaching base
four times, all in the last four innings. He singled home a run in the sixth inning to tie the score at 1-1, then walked with the bases loaded in a five-run seventh when Glendale took the lead. Davalan walked and scored in a three-run eighth, then doubled home a run and later scored in a seven-run ninth.
Eduardo Quintero continued to shine with the bat on his shoulder, with four walks and a hit by pitch in his seven plate appearances, and he scored four times.
Cody Morse was the only Dodgers pitcher to see action in this one. He allowed a single and walk after Scottsdale took the lead with four runs in the sixth off his predecessor Nick Altermatt, but Morse got the final out of the frame with no further damage.
After Glendale took the lead in the top of the seventh, that earned Morse the win.
Thursday score
- Glendale 17, Scottsdale 5
Friday schedule
- 12:30 p.m. PT: Glendale at Surprise
Up next in the semifinals for Glendale is the Surprise Saguaros, who were 18-10 during the regular season and led the AFL in run differential, outscoring their opponent by 48 runs in 28 games. Dodgers right-hander Brooks Auger starts on the mound Friday for the Desert Dogs.
