Cubs Minor League News: Mathis delivers game-winning hit as Solar Sox top Desert Dogs

Patrick Gorski - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 2 hours ago

GLENDALE - Before you know it, Stateside baseball will officially come to an end, as this is the final week of the Arizona Fall League. With that comes three more regular-season games, followed by the playoffs, as the Mesa Solar Sox (13-14) are not only looking to finish the season strong but also to make a late postseason run.

What better way to do that than by going on the road to take on the Glendale Desert Dogs (10-16) in what was one of those games the Solar Sox had to have. With Owen Ayers returning from the all-star break and out of the lineup, Mesa was missing one of their big bats for the season, and the offense certainly suffered.

However, this was one of those days when the Solar Sox didn't need their offense, as the pitching showed up in a big way, with the Solar Sox picking up a 2-1 victory. This isn't the time when you want your offense to struggle, but when you have games like this, it's essential for the pitching staff to pick up the slack, which they did in this one.

With Ayers out of the lineup, Mesa was going to have to rely on some other guys to get the offense going, and Cole Mathis is one of the players capable of doing just that. Had this been two weeks ago, Mathis would have been a key piece to the Solar Sox's success, as he was right up there with Ayers as one of the better hitters in the game.

Then came this ugly stretch of games, as Mathis has not only been slumping but slumping to the point where Mesa has taken him out of the lineup, and he is now being used as more of a role player. As you know by now, the best way to get out of a slump is to keep getting reps, and that is what Mathis got on Monday as he returned to the lineup to provide the Solar Sox with a much-needed spark.

Although Mathis only had one hit, going 1-2 at the plate, he did reach base three times as he worked a pair of walks to go with the hit. To make things better, his hit became the biggest of the game as his RBI single in the sixth inning put the Solar Sox ahead for good, 2-1, and proved to be the game-winning run for Mesa.

Ed Howard was also in the lineup for Mesa as he was back in the nine hole after sitting out the past few games. Once again, it was another hitless night for Howard, but with a pair of walks, he at the very least continued to show some patience at the plate, which is a part of his game that he hasn't shown much of this season.