AFL Game 8: Here Comes the Judge

The Scottsdale Scorpions’ four-game winning streak came to an end last night in the desert. They didn’t go quietly that’s for sure. The Scorpions lost 13-11 in an offensive thriller against the Surprise Saguaros. There were Yankees prospects galore on the stat sheet as well.

More from Yankees Minor Leagues

• Early prices for Yankees 2022 Bowman Draft cards are absurd
• Reflecting on the 2013 New York Yankees’ top 10 prospects
• Yankees add to championship core with Wilmer Difo signing
• Yankees’ Jasson Dominguez ranks in tough spot on Arizona Fall League Top Prospects list
• Yankees protect only 1 top prospect from 2022 Rule 5 Draft, take major risk

Every Scorpion player got into the box score Wednesday night by registering at least one hit. Phillies center field prospect Roman Quinn led the Scorpion 15-hit attack with a 4-for-5 night while also stealing two bases. The Scorpions struck early with three in the bottom of the first highlighted by Yankees top outfield prospect Aaron Judge’s first home run of the Arizona Fall League season. The Saguaros would then reel off 11 runs over the next three innings and the two teams would exchange punches right up to the ninth inning. Tyler Austin in left field went 2-for-5 on the night with a triple and two RBI. Judge would get another hit and finish with 4 RBI on the night. Greg Bird continued his hot hitting going 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI raising his AFL average to .379. Third baseman Dante Bichette, Jr. went 1-for-5 on the night.

When 24 combined runs cross the plate, there isn’t much to report in the pitching department. Yankees prospect Caleb Cotham, however, had a much needed solid outing. Cotham who has struggled thus far in the AFL, came on in the fourth trailing 11-6 and would go two shutout innings while striking out one and walking none. He would end the Saguaros onslaught and keep the Scorpions in the game until they would win the game in the ninth with two runs off Phillies prospect Colton Murray. The Scorpions were also incredibly sloppy in the field committing five errors on the night (none by Yankees’ prosects, thankfully). This led to four unearned runs coming across the plate.

The loss drops the Scorpions to 5-3. They have a day game Thursday squaring off against the Saguaros once again. Phillies prospect Ryan O’Sullivan is expected to take the mound. Game time is 3:35 PM EST.

BOX SCORE