Scorpions Limited to Four Hits in Defeat

MESA, AZ - Right-hander Daryl Maday gave up two runs in four innings in his third AFL start and the Scottsdale Scorpions were limited to a run on four hits in a 4-1 defeat to the Mesa Solar Sox on Thursday afternoon at HoHoKam Park in Mesa.

Of the four hits Maday (1-2) allowed, two went for extra bases including a leadoff home run hit by Robbie Grossman in the bottom of the first inning. Jarek Cunningham also doubled in the bottom of the second inning. The 26-year-old struck out three batters and walked none. The Bristol, Wis., native has allowed six runs over 11 innings in his three starts, four of those coming in his previous outing. He has struck out 11 batters and walked five while holding opponents to a .195 batting average against.

Giants prospects accounted for half of Scottsdale's hits. Joe Panik singled into to left field in the top of the second inning and Brandon Crawford got a base hit to right in the eighth. Panik finished the day 1-for-3 with a walk while Crawford was 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

Phillies prospect Tyson Gillies drove in the lone run for the Scorpions with a two-out, solo homer in the top of the seventh. Grossman drove in three of Mesa's four runs as part of a 2-for-4 day at the plate.

With the loss, Scottsdale (4-10) fell 1 ½ games behind Mesa at the bottom of the AFL East standings. The Scorpions trail Salt River by 6 ½ games for the division lead. Scottsdale will travel to Surprise on Friday afternoon to take on the Saguaros. First pitch is scheduled for 2:35 ET. The Scorpions will be at Phoenix on Saturday afternoon with first pitch also at 2:35 ET.

The Scottsdale Scorpions roster consists of players from the Giants, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals organizations. Daily updates from Scottsdale's games will appear on SquirrelsBaseball.com.