Dogs sink Rafters, 3-1

Surprise 1 at Phoenix 3

W: N. Blackburn (1-0, 5.40); L: B. Jukich (0-1, 8.10); SV: F. Hernandez (2)
HR: PDD: N. Reimold (2).

Former Miracle pitcher Nick Blackburn picked up the win as the Phoenix Desert Dogs downed the Surpise Rafters, 3-1.

Phoenix took at early lead in the game, when Cliff Pennington (Oakland) walked then advanced to second on a balk by Rafter's starter Ben Jukrich (Cincinnati). Jeff Baisley (Oakland) plated Pennington with line drive to put the Dogs on the board in the bottom of the first.

The Dogs extended their lead in the second, when Nolan Reimold (Baltimore) homered off the former Sarasota Reds starter. Jukirch would work 3.2 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 1.

Blackburn, who was a FSL All-star in 2005, worked 3 innings, allowing 1 hit and walking 1 while striking out 4.

He would be replaced in the 4th by Amos Day (Chi White Sox). The Rafters took advantage of the pitching change with Kila Kaaihue (Kansas City) singling to start the inning, followed by Texas' John Mayberry. With 2 outs, Chris Gimenez (Cleveland) would then single out to left to bring Kaaihue in, giving the Rafters their lone run in the game.

Phoenix picked up their insurance run in the 8th, Jason Delaney (Pittsburgh) singled his way onto base. He'd be replaced by pinch runner Blake Davis (Baltimore), who then stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on a wild pitch by Darren O'Day (LA Angels). Baisley's sac-fly would push him over the plate.

Minnesota's Matt Macri was 0-for-3 at the plate with 1 walk.

Fort Myers' Eddie Morlan pitched 1.1 inings of relief, allowing 3 hits, but no runs, nor did he strike out anyone.

Aside from Jukrich, former Sara-Reds Chris Tatum (c) and Chris Dickerson (of) are also on the Rafters as are Reds prospects Sam Lecure (p), Tyler Pelland (p), Pedro Viola (p), and Adam Rosales (1b).

The Dogs take on the Scottsdale Scorpions on Saturday at 7:05 PM MST.

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