News
So far, so good in AFL for O's Bell
DH smacks four hits in Phoenix's 6-2 victory
By Robert Emrich / Special to MLB.com
10/19/09 7:17 PM ET
So far, so good for Josh Bell in the Arizona Fall League.Bell smacked four hits, fell a homer short of the cycle, scored three times and drove in a run in the Phoenix Desert Dogs' 6-2 victory over the Peoria Saguaros on Monday.
Bell, who is hitting .533 in the Arizona Fall League, doubled in an insurance run in the ninth inning.
"It's just like any other day, trying to make contact, just trying to get a good pitch and not miss it," he said.
The switch-hitter was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31 to the Baltimore Orioles for George Sherrill.
"There are a lot of good pitchers out here with good off-speed pitches. I'm trying to stay focused and look for the fastball," he said.
Bell said one of his goals in the Arizona Fall League was to stay consistent with his approach from both sides of the plate.
Pitcher-turned-outfielder Adam Loewen hit a three-run homer in the sixth to give Phoenix the lead for good. Loewen, who won eight games in three seasons with the Orioles, hit .236 in 103 games with the Dunedin Blue Jays in his first season as an outfielder.
Chris Heisey, who was second in the Cincinnati system in home runs with 22 this season, blasted a long ball for the second straight game. Nick Weglarz, a third-round pick by Cleveland in 2005, collected three hits, including a double.
Justin Friend (A's) struck out two in two perfect innings of relief to pick up the win. Orioles prospect Brandon Erbe started the game for Phoenix didn't allow a base-runner and fanned two in two innings.
Bradley Boxberger (Reds) allowed three runs on four hits and struck out four in two innings for the loss. Mike Minor, Atlanta's first-round pick this year, allowed a run on four hits and fanned three in 2 2/3 innings.
Robert Emrich is a contributor to MLB.com This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
