Despite losing streak, Salt River closer to clinching division title

Salt River has lost three in a row, but still has a 1 1/2-game lead over the Mesa Solar Sox for the East Division lead in the Arizona Fall League.

Mesa defeated Salt River 7-2 in the Military Appreciation Game on Saturday. Carter Kieboom was the designated hitter and went 1-for-5. He is hitting .284. Catcher Tres Barrera went 0-for-4 and is batting .243.

Left-hander Jordan Mills struck out three batters over two innings, allowing no runs on one hit with no walks and a balk. His ERA is 3.86.

Left-hander Taylor Guilbeau followed with a shutout inning, allowing no hits with a walk. His ERA is now 1.93.

Mesa defeated Salt River 5-4 on Friday.

Down 4-2, Salt River rallied for two runs in the ninth only to watch the Solar Sox win it with one run in the bottom of the ninth. Daniel Johnson batted second and played right field, and went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a strikeout.

Kieboom played shortstop, went 1-for-3 with two runs, a walk and a strikeout. Jake Noll played first base and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts. He is hitting .250.

Peoria toppled Salt River 8-7 on Wednesday.

Third baseman Noll had his best game, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and a strikeout. Left-hander Ben Braymer allowed a solo homer but struck out the side in the fourth inning. His ERA is 6.48.

On Tuesday, Salt River edged Scottsdale 3-2.

Johnson played center field and Kieboom shortstop, but both went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Guilbeau recorded four outs without allowing a run or a hit. Mills allowed one hit in one scoreless frame.

Last Monday, Salt River beat Surprise 4-3 scoring a run in the bottom of the tenth.

Kieboom played second base and went 1-for-4. Johnson went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored, manning left field. Barrera went 1-for-3 at the plate.

This week, Salt River plays four games with the championship game scheduled for Saturday. Any combination of Salt River wins and Mesa losses adding up to three clinches the division for the Rafters. Salt River is at Peoria today.

Right-hander Luis Reyes has not pitched since Oct. 27. I'm checking to see if the Nationals had to shut him down.