Purke goes two innings in Arizona debut; Scottsdale drops 8-7 decision

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

October 15, 2011, 11:21pm

Comments

Scottsdale Scorpions left-hander Matt Purke pitched two innings following Red Sox prospect Brock Huntzinger in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. Purke fired 38 pitches, 20 for strikes, allowing one run on one hit, one walk and striking out one. He induced two groundouts and two flyouts. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said Friday that this is one of the ways we might see Purke pitch in Arizona, as a "piggyback" to Huntzinger's starts. Purke had a very impressive 1-2-3 fifth inning in his professional debut. In the sixth inning, Purke allowed a walk and an RBI double. But he then got the next two hitters in order, including a called third strike on Oscar Taveras. Nationals prospect Pat Lehman suffered his first loss of the Arizona campaign, allowing two runs, one of which was earned, over two frames. Derek Norris had a double and two RBIs. Zach Walters played third base again and knocked in a run also with a double. Bryce Harper did not play. Harper did smack a two-run triple in Friday's 14-5 loss, raising his average to .111. It was his first extra base hit in Arizona this season. He also committed an error in left field.