:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65468004/Bennett_Sousa_101718__KC_.0.png)
Glendale Desert Dogs 9, Mesa Solar Sox 5
Blake Rutherford (lf) 2-for-4, 2B (1), SB (1), R, BB, K (.196 BA, .717 OPS)
Gavin Sheets (1b) 0-for-3, 2 BB, K (.220 BA, .578 OPS)
Bennett Sousa (rp, 9th) IP, 2 K, WP, 8 pitches/7 strikes (8.10 ERA)
A strong game all-around for the Dogs, who scored five in the top of the eighth to turn a 4-4 tie into an eventual runaway win.
Neither White Sox hitter factored in the big rally, however, with Rutherford lining out and Sheets not getting to the plate. But all in all, a very active day for Rutherford on the field, collecting his first double and steal. And though Sheets went hitless and saw his batting average fall to .220, he did pick up two walks, helping the OBP.
And Sousa was spectacular, finishing off the game with two Ks in the ninth. His first was a whiff on three pitches, but catcher Ivan Herrera couldn’t hold onto the third strike and a ball that cut the strike zone was somehow ruled a wild pitch. Sousa then collected a double play on the first pitch to his next batter, and finished off the game with another K, on four pitches. You can’t do any better than that, Bennett.