Moore and Rivero continue to roll in offseason league play

In Arizona Fall League play, Surprise defeated Mesa 5-1 on Tuesday.

Left-hander Felipe Rivero had another solid outing, twirling five innings, scattering six hits and allowing no earned runs in a no-decision. He gave up one run, one walk and struck out three on 76 pitches, 50 for strikes.

Rivero has now surrendered only one earned run in his last 10 innings. This is in contrast to his first four starts, in which he gave up 13 earned runs. His ERA is down to 6.08.

A source tells me Rivero is hitting 91-97 mph, and it's a good sign seeing him maintain his velocity against the big bats of the AFL and bounce back from a somewhat shaky introduction to play. He had 53 2/3 innings pitched with three teams this season under the Nationals' minor league umbrella, and this added innings accumulation will be good experience for him as he prepares for 2015.

Second baseman Tony Renda went 1-for-4 with a strikeout, and his batting average is now .218. Renda was a part of a 6-4-3 double play on defense. Catcher Pedro Severino went 1-for-3 with a double, pushing his average to .250.

On Monday, Glendale toppled Mesa 5-2. Heading into Wednesday's play, the Solar Sox are 14-14. They are four games out of first place after enduring a four-game losing streak. Salt River has already clinched the division.

In the Dominican Winter League, Nationals first baseman Tyler Moore crushed a three-run homer Tuesday, his sixth of the season. The longball came in the first inning off of Sugar Ray Marimon in the Toros del Este 8-5 victory over Aguilas Cibaenas.

Moore now has 16 RBIs and is batting .290. He has 20 hits, including three doubles, two stolen bases and 18 runs. His OPS is 1.001. His six homers are second to Diamondbacks third baseman Andy Marte, who leads the league with seven.

Moore has by far had the best offensive numbers of any Nationals prospect so far this fall and winter season. He could play a critical role on the 2015 Nationals as an insurance policy or a key utility bat backing up Ryan Zimmerman.