Holt leads balanced attack as Scorpions rout Rafters
Cleveland outfielder drives in season-high three runs in win over first-place Salt River
Leadoff hitter Tyler Holt (Indians), who came into the game with four RBIs, nearly matched his season total, driving in a game-high three runs on a pair of singles and improving his Fall League average to .306.
Holt, who split time between Class A Advanced Carolina and Double-A Akron this season, extended his hit streak to six games with a 2-for-4 effort. The 23-year-old has reached base in all 12 AFL games in which he has had an at-bat.
Only two of the Scorpions' eight hits on the night went for extra bases, but Scottsdale was able to come up with base hits in key situations -- all but one of the team's runs coming home on singles.
One of those extra-base hits was a solo home run by No. 6 Giants prospect Joe Panik -- his first of the fall -- that gave Scottsdale a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
After top Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon tripled and scored for Salt River in the next frame, the Scorpions took advantage of three walks to take the lead back for good in the bottom of the second.
Angels' No. 9 prospect Travis Witherspoon was issued a free pass to open the inning, then proceeded to steal second and third before coming home -- along with fellow Angels prospect Randal Grichuk, who also walked and stole second -- on Holt's two-run single.
Adalberto Santos (Pirates) also ripped a two-run single in the frame, scoring Holt and catcher Carlos Ramirez (Angels).
Each of the first five batters in the Scottsdale order drove in at least one run as the Scorpions chased Rafters starter Deck McGuire (Blue Jays) after 1 1/3 innings, touching the starter for five runs on just two hits.
Zach Nuding (Yankees) picked up his first win of the fall, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over four innings.