SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Pirates infielder Josh Bell doubled for his fifth hit of the last three games and Elias Diaz (PIT) singled to chip in to the 15-hit barrage, but four unearned runs spelled the difference in the Scottsdale Scorpions’ (5-3) 13-11 loss to the Surprise Saguaros (4-4) on Wednesday night at Scottsdale Stadium.

Scorpions starter Adam Morgan (PHI) fell victim to each of the four unearned tallies when a costly error at first helped extend the second inning. After whiffing his next batter for what should have been the third out of the frame, the Scottsdale southpaw was left on the hook for a two-run double and a pair of RBI singles that gave Surprise a 5-3 lead.

Reliever Ryan O’Sullivan (PHI) allowed Morgan’s sponsored runner to cross home en route to surrendering six of his own scores over the next two frames.

Three additional Scorpions relievers then combined to halt the skid through five scoreless innings, including one from from Buccos righty Angel Sanchez, who struck out the sixth in his first action from the taxi squad.

Bell doubled and scored as part of a five-run seventh that erased Scottsdale’s 11-6 deficit. The top infield prospect is 5-for-14 (.357) with three doubles, two runs and two RBI over his last three games. His trip of two-baggers also rank tied for the overall league lead thus far in the fall.

John Hicks (BOS) delivered the game-winner for Surprise with a two-out, two-run single in the top of the ninth.

 

Author’s Note:
This content was originally published on the Indianapolis Indians’ official blog, “The Inside Pitch.”