Laz Rivera: AFL takeover

Glendale Desert Dogs 7, Mesa Solar Sox 6

Laz Rivera (2B): 1-for-5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 0 K

Danny Dopico: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

Off the bat, the Desert Dogs and Solar Sox scored in their first time at-bat. Rivera was able to get the Desert Dogs first run in, but without an RBI, as grounded into a double play. Unfortunately, the Solar Sox tied the game in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly.

In the fourth inning the Solar Sox took the lead but, surprisingly, Glendale came storming back in the next inning. In total, the Desert Dogs scored three runs in that frame, to take a 4-2 lead. Rivera singled home two of the three runs, and came around to score the third. So really, the top of the fifth was the inning of Laz. (Side note, anybody else think Hawk will comeback to announce a Laz Rivera game? That name seems right up his alley.)

However, the Desert Dogs lead was again short-lived, as the Solar Sox scored four more runs to take back the lead, 6-4, after five innings. Danny Dopico took over after the four runs scored, but did not have good command. He threw 15 strikes and 13 balls, walking two batters in his shutout inning.

Things were looking grim for Glendale, but, not so fast — again, the lead changed. The Desert Dogs tacked on three more in the eighth inning, to take back the lead at 7-6, and that’s how it ended.

It certainly was a wild one in Mesa. But at least Glendale was able to come out on top.