Youngsters start Spring well
As usual Riyadh started spring training showcasing the talents of their farm system combined with their new arrivals. A 3-5 record for their first eight games of 2049 was pleasing as was the performance of some of the hopefuls. Some cuts will now be made as we progress into the second phase of spring camp. Riyadh will go with just five starters for the next phase and a few new position players will get a few extra AB’s though still not much sign of the expected starting hitters. New next week at the hot corner will be 26-yr-old Greg Jones just claimed off waivers from Cairo, an outside bet to get more than a week’s look, but he will get a dozen or so AB’s
Game 1: @Manama W 16-1
Ten runs in the first three innings, including a 2-run shot from Ivan Gulledge and the first Red Crescent homer from new signing Daryl Pris, settled this game, Karel Beerens picked up the win, just giving up one hit in four innings pitched while Pris went 3-3 with an RBI and Grady Fern went 2-2 with three RBI.
Game 2: vs Baghdad L 0-14
A complete contrast to the opening game, the Kings scored six in the top of the first and we never recovered. Uberto Casale only got one out before he was hooked having already allowed six runs on four hits & two walks. Five Red Crescent hitters got a hit each including top batting prospect Jouo Rovanpera.
Game 3: @Beirut L 4-5
Our first close game of spring, decided in the eighth innings when Riyadh scored two in the top half to go 4-2 up before Cedars hit three in the bottom half to claim a one-run win. Red hot prospect Umar Doger gave up two hits, a walk and two runs in his first ever spring training four innings while Ricardo Esparza went 2-3, scoring twice and Roy MacGugan hit his first homer of 2049.
Game 4: @Jerusalem L 3-4
Riyadh lost their second straight game by a single run when the Hebrew Hammers scored on a walk-off sac fly with the bases loaded. Star signing Romeu Tameiro pitched his first four innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four batters. Michael Blankenship went 2-3 with an RBI while Pris hit his second solo homer of spring.
Game 5: vs Manama W 3-2
Despite being outhit 5-9 Riyadh snapped their losing streak with a one-run win of their own. A run in the 4th plus a homer from Rule 5 pick Manchu Li in the 5th & another homer in the 6th innings from Ivan Thomas was enough to grab the win. Rule 5 rotation hopeful Angel Romero gave up a walk, three hits and a run while striking out three in his four innings while the Red Crescent’s five hits were by five different batters. New closer Constantino Teixeira picked up his first save for the team, striking out one batter in a clean ninth innings.
Game 6: @Baghdad L 5-6
Four runs in the top of the first innings set Riyadh well on the way to avenging the heavy game two defeat, but four runs by the Kings in the bottom of the eighth swept the home side into a winning lead.
Andres Hernandes, who spent September and the off season recovering from a torn shoulder labrum, got his first senior start allowing just a run on four hits while striking out four batters. Riyadh’s seven hits were all from different players, Lucio Becerra hit his first homer of spring while Vinnie Coalman legged out his first triple of spring.
Game 7: vs Beirut W 4-3
Another one-run win by the Red Crescents again only managing five hits. A 2-run homer by Roy MacGugan in the bottom of the first was half the Red Crescent’s offence as once more five different players accounted for Riyadh’s hits. Karel Beerens had another good outing, allowing a ruin on three hits while striking out three and Teixeira again struck out one in a clean ninth to collect his second save.
Game 8: vs Jerusalem L 2-4
Two runs in the top of the eighth innings snapped a 2-2 tie and condemned Riyadh to their fifth spring training defeat. Uberto Casale lasted the full four innings this time, allowing only three hits and two walks, but it didn’t stop him getting his travel papers to Port Elizabeth after the game. Six hits, all single, by six different players is a bit worrying. It might not be a free scoring team this year and their reliance on the pitchers to keep them in games is almost certain to end in tears.