Renda nets base hit in Fall Stars Game, Mesa ready for second half

The Arizona Fall League East Division All-Stars downed the West All-Stars 6-2 in Saturday's AFL Fall Stars Game. Dalton Pompey and Roman Quinn combined for three hits and four RBIs in the win. Nationals second base prospect Tony Renda went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout. It was certainly an honor for Renda to be involved in this All-Star game and again helps his profile. It also is important for Renda to continue to get these at-bats against top competition. He started the AFL with some liners hit right at people, but has made good contact, and now that consistency is starting to pay off with some base hits. The 23-year-old Renda went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Thursday's 7-5 loss to Scottsdale. His average now is up to .246. Felipe Rivero fell to 1-4, lasting only two-thirds of an inning. Rivero tossed 31 pitches in the first inning with 16 strikes, allowing two runs on two hits. The big hit was a two-run shot by Aaron Judge, who ended up with two round-trippers in the game. Derek Self went two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. His ERA is an impressive 0.75. Pedro Severino went 1-for-4 with a walk and two RBIs in Mesa's 5-2 win over Glendale on Friday. Severino is batting .276 at the break. Matt Grace pitched one scoreless inning allowing one hit for his second hold. Mesa is 11-9-1 at the break, 3 1/2 games behind Salt River. Mesa can take a good chunk out of that lead as it hosts the Rafters to begin the second half of the AFL season Monday night at home.