Rosscup Sharp at Papago Park

Rudy Martin singled, doubled, and walked, and scored two runs, and Luke Willis singled twice, scored a run, and drove-in another with a sacrifice fly, lifting the AZL Royals to a 5-3 victory over the AZL Cubs in Arizona League action Wednesday night at Papago Park Sports Complex Field #2 in Phoenix, AZ.

Although they remain in the AZL West Division, the AZL Royals are playing their home games on the east-side of town at the Papago Park Sports Complex (the former home of the AZL Athletics) this season while their clubhouse is being renovated (expanded) at Surprise Stadium. (The Royals presently are in first place in the AZL West Division, and in fact they have the best record in the league). 
 
LHP Zac Rosscup (on Cubs MLB 15-day DL - left shoulder inflammation) saw his first game action since June 16th, getting the start for the AZL Cubs and throwing one inning (17 pitches - 11 strikes) and allowing no hits, no runs, and no walks, with two strikeouts (both swinging). One runner reached base on an E-5. Rosscup was working his fastball at 91-93 MPH and touched 94, and his breaking ball was sharp and unhittable. He looked to be in mid-season form. (Lots of swings & misses). 

Shawon Dunston Jr (on Myrtle Beach 7-day DL) continued his AZL rehab, serving as the AZL Cubs DH and batting third in the order. He drilled a one-out line-drive single to center in the top of the 1st inning, before leaving the game for a pinch-hitter in the top of the 3rd.

RHP Casey Bloomquist (Cubs 2015 17th round draft pick - Cal Poly SLO) made his pro debut, working the eighth inning and retiring the side 1-2-3 (a 5-3 GO followed by two strikeouts). Bloomquist displayed an 87-88 MPH fastball with sinking action that he mixed with a slider and a change-up that dive-bombed out of the strike zone. Bloomquist was the Mustang's "Friday night starter" (#1 starter) as a junior, and unlike some of the Cubs 2015 draft picks who were college seniors with no eligibility left (and no leverage in negotiations), Bloomquist had the option to return to school for his senior year at Cal Poly if he had not signed with the Cubs.  

The defensive Play of the Game was turned in by AZL Cubs RF Michael Foster (Cuhs 2015 16th round draft pick - Northeastern University), who made a spectacular diving catch in right-centerfield in the bottom of the 6th inning. Foster also singled twice and scored a run for the AZL Cubs in a losing cause.

Here is the abridged box score from Wednesday night's game (Cubs players only: 

AZL CUBS LINEUP: 
1. Robert Garcia, CF: 2-4 (1B, 1B, 4-3, K, PO) 
2. Carlos Sepulveda, 2B: 0-4 (L-4, 4-3, 1-3, K)
3a. Shawon Dunston Jr, DH: 1-1 (1B) 
3b. Yohan Matos, PH-DH: 0-3 (6-3, 6-3, 5-3)
4a. Wladimir Galindo, 3B: 1-3 (K, 1B, 6-3, R)
4b. Carlos Jimenez, 3B: 0-1 (5-3)
5. Jose Paniagua, 1B: 1-4 (K, 1B, 5-3, K, R)
6. Marcus Mastrobuoni, C: 1-2 (1B, 1-4 SH, F-7, BB)
7. Michael Foster, RF: 2-4 (5-4 FC, 1B, E-6, 1B, R, RBI, CS)
8. Andruw Monasterio, SS: 2-3 (1B, F-8 SF, 5-4 FC, 1B, RBI, CS)
9. Donnie Cimino, LF:1-4 (F-9, 1B, 1-6-3, K, RBI, PO)

AZL CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Zac Rosscup: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 17 pitches (11 strikes) 
2. Enrique de los Rios: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 2 WP, 2 GIDP, 5/1 GO/FO, 45 pitches (26 strikes) 
3. Pedro Silverio: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 4/2 GO/FO, 43 pitches (24 strikes) 
4. Casey Bloomquist: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/FO, 15 pitches (10 strikes) 

AZL CUBS ERRORS: 3 
1. 3B Wladimir Galindo: E-5 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely) 
2. 3B Wladimir Galindo: E-5 (throwing error on SH allowed batter to reach 2nd base & runner to advance to 3rd)
3. 3B Carlos Jimenez: E-5 (throwing error on infield single allowed batter to reach 2nd base & runner to score from 2nd)

AZL CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Marcus Mastrobuoni: 1-2 CS, 1 PB