Byler Leaves Angels/Cubs in the Dust at Talking Stick

Austin Byler stroked an RBI double and a single and Victor Reyes singled twice, stole a base, and scored a run, as the Diamondbacks rallied to edge the Angels/Cubs co-op squad 6-5 in AZ Advanced Instructional League game action this morning on Ramada Field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick Resort east of Scottsdale, AZ.

The game was called by mutual consent after 6-1/2 innings of play.  

Michael Strentz (Angels) belted an opposite-field solo home run and drove-in another run with a sacrifice fly and Chesny Young (Cubs) and Andrew Daniel (Angels) each singled twice, walked, and stole a base for the Angels/Cubs in a losing cause. 

Carolina League batting champion Chesny Young got another start at shortstop (he also played SS on Wednesday), and commited a fielding error. He certainly has the required range, but it remains to be seen if he has the overall defensive skills required to handle the position. (Young is a natural second-baseman).    

RHRP Matt Brazis (Cubs) had a poor outing, as the Diamondbacks rallied for three runs by way of a lead-off double followed by three singles in the 5th against him to take the lead. (Brazis allowed a solo HR and a single in 2/3 of an inning versus the D'backs on Wednesday).   

RHP Ethan Elias (Cubs 2011 22nd round draft pick - Canadian Junior National team) got the start for the Diamondbacks and worked two innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits. He also commited a throwing error on a pick-off attempt at 2nd base. Elias was released by the Cubs following the 2013 season and pitched in independent ball for Normal (Frontier League) in 2014, before signing with the Diamondbacks at a tryout camp prior to the start of Spring Training. He was a rotation starter at Kane County in 2015 and had a decent year, going 11-6 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.32 WHIP and 85 K in 118.1 IP for the Cougars. 

Here is the box score from today's game (Cubs players highlighted in bold and underlined)

ANGELS/CUBS LINEUP:
1. Bo Way, CF: 2-4 (1B, 4-3, 1B, K, R, CS)
2. Chesny Young, SS: 2-3 (3-U, 1B, 1B, BB, R, SB, CS)
3. Natanael Delgado, LF: 1-4 (1B, K, 4-3, K, RBI)
4. Zach Houchins, 1B; 2-4 (K, 1B, 1B, F-7, R, RBI)
5. Andrew Daniel: 2-3 (1B, 1B, BB, 1-3, RBI, SB)
6. Kody Eaves, 3B: 0-3 (4-3, K, L-8)
7. Rashad Crawford, RF: 0-3 (E-3, 5-3, F-8, R, SB)
8. Michael Strentz, C-DH: 2-2 (F-9 SF, HR, 1B, R, 2 RBI)
9. Charcer Burks, DH #1: 0-3 (1-3, L-3, F-9) 
10. Victor Caratini, DH-C: 0-1 (3-1)
NOTE: SLOT WAS SKIPPED FIRST TWO TIMES THRU BATTING ORDER 

DIAMONDBACKS LINEUP:
1a.  Victor Reyes, LF: 2-3 (1B, 5-3, 1B, R, SB)
1b. Grant Heyman, LF: 0-1 (4-3) 
2. Dansby Swanson, SS: 1-3 (5-3, 1B, BB, F-9, R)
3a. Austin Byler, 1B: 2-2 (2B, 1B, RBI)
3b. Jose Munoz, PH-1B: 0-2 (K, K)
4. Gabriel Guerrero, RF: 1-3 (F-9, K, 2B, R)
5. Henry Castillo, DH-3B: 1-3 (F-9, 3-6 FC, 1B, R, RBI)
6. Dawel Lugo, 3B-DH: 1-2 (5-3, BB, 1B, R)
7a. Domingo Leyba, 2B: 0-2 (E-6, K, R)
7b. Sergio Alcantara, 2B: 0-1 (6-3, RBI)
8a. Jose Herrera, C: 0-2 (L-4, L-3)
8b. Tyler Baker, C: 1-1 (1B)
9a. Zach Nehrir, CF: 1-2 (3B, 3-1, RBI)
9b. Colin Bray, CF: 0-1 (5-4-3 DP)

ANGELS/CUBS PITCHERS: 
1. Tyler Carpenter: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 1/2 GO/AO, 17 pitches (12 strikes) 
2. Ronnie Glenn: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 0 K, 1 WP, 2/1 GO/AO, 11 pitches (8 strikes) 
3. Victor Alcantara: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 1 WP,  1/0 GO/AO, 22 pitches (11 strikes) 
4. Eduardo Paredes: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1/1 GO/AO, 18 pitches (8 strikes) 
5. Matt Brazis: 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP, 3/1 GO/AO, 31 pitches (21 strikes) 

DIAMONDBACKS PITCHERS: 
1. Ethan Elias: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 4/1 GO/AO, 36 pitches (24 strikes) 
2. Mason McCullough: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1/0 GO/AO, 20 pitches (13 strikes) 
3. Cameron Gann: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 1/3 GO/AO, 29 pitches (16 strikes) 
4. Keegan Long: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 23 pitches (12 strikes) 
5. Steve Hathaway: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1/1 GO/AO, 6 pitches (6 strikes) 

ANGELS/CUBS ERRORS: 2 
1. SS Chesny Young - E-6 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)
2. 3B Andrew Daniel - E-5 (throwing error allowed runner to score from 3rd base)

DIAMONDBACKS ERRORS: 2 
1. 1B Austin Byler - E-3 (fielding error allowed batter to reach base safely)  
2. P Ethan Elias - E-1 (errant throw on pick-off attempt at 2nd bsse allowed runner to advance to 3rd) 

ANGELS/CUBS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
Michael Strentz: 0-1 CS, 2 PB

DIAMONDBACKS CATCHERS DEFENSE: 
1. Jose Herrera: 1-4 CS
2. Tyler Baker: 1-1 CS

WEATHER: Sunny & cloudless with temperatures 100+

ATTENDANCE: 34