Valencia, Delaney keys to win

Red Wings manager Stan Cliburn' Phoenix Desert Dogs beat Mesa 10-4 on Saturday to win the Arizona Fall League title. 3B Danny Valencia had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Dogs; Twins prospects Steve Tolleson and Dustin Martin were also in the Phoenix starting lineup, RHP Jeff Manship (4 2/3 innings, 8 H, 3R/2 ER, 4 SO) started on the mound, and reliever Rob Delaney picked up the win.

"Our Minnesota Twins were well represented in this championship win," Stan told RedWingsBaseball.com after the game. Valencia, who played stellar defense during the AFL season despite struggling at the plate, put the team ahead for the first time with a two-run single, after blasting a key triple earlier in the game.

"We all knew Danny could hit, much better than he showed out here. But his defense was great all season, and we moved him down in the lineup today and I told him to just relax and play to win. He hit that (triple) about 430 feet to dead center, and only the wind kept that one in the park." Stan, who left Arizona and drove home to Mississippi after the post-game celebration, will pick up the 13th championship ring of his baseball career - eight as a player, and five as a manager.