Armada Stay Hot, Beat Outlaws 9-5 In Series Opener
August 8, 2007 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
CHICO, CA - Home runs by Chris Klemm, David Ramirez and Jaime Martinez highlighted a 14-hit attack as the red-hot Long Beach Armada won their fifth in a row Tuesday, downing the Chico Outlaws 9-5 in the opener of a three-game series at Nettleton Stadium...the loss was Chico's fourth straight.
Long Beach jumped out to a 2-0 in the 1st inning against Outlaws starter Tyler Pearson - Johnny Kaplan singled to start the game (extending his hitting streak to 18 games), and following a walk to Klemm and a groundout, Chris Wakeland grounded a single into right field to plate the pair. Chico cut the Armada lead in half in the bottom of the 3rd when Jason Matteucci doubled home Todd Gossage, but that would be as close as the Outlaws would get all evening - Long Beach answered with three runs in the 4th on a Kaplan RBI single and Klemm's fifth homer of the year, a two-run shot to put Long Beach up 5-1.
Ramirez blasted his third round-tripper with a man aboard in the 6th to give the Armada a 7-1 cushion...the Outlaws countered with a solo home run in the 6th - Craig Kuzmic, making his first appearance since re-signing with Chico, lined one over the right field fence to make the score 7-2. But in the 8th Long Beach would effectively put the game away when Martinez blasted a two-run homer to dead center, giving the Armada a 9-2 lead. The Outlaws scored three runs in the bottom of the 9th (Matteucci singling home Jason Van Meetren; Steve Boggs delivering an RBI double; Matteucci scoring on a Jesse Kovacs groundout), but Long Beach closer Dane de la Rosa came in from the bullpen and recorded the final two outs to give the Armada their sixth victory over Chico in nine tries this year.
Long Beach starter Rich Fischer (4-1) tossed five innings of four-hit ball to earn the victory, with Pearson (4-6) absorbed the loss. Kaplan and Jorge Araiza each had four hits to lead the Armada offense...the Outlaws had 11 hits on the night; Matteucci had two hits and two RBI, while Scott Dragicevich added a pair of singles. Tuesday's loss dropped Chico to 6-14 in the second half and 31-27 overall...Long Beach improved to 17-3 in the second half and 40-18 for the year. Game two of the series is set for Wednesday with left-hander Derrick Loop (7-3) on the mound for the Outlaws...righty Jeff Heaverlo (5-4) will throw for the Armada. Game time is 7:05pm; hear all the action with "The Voice" of the Outlaws, Rory Miller, beginning at 6:35pm on the internet or on SportsFan 101.7 FM ESPN Radio.
• Discuss this story on the Golden Baseball League message board...
Golden Baseball League Stories from August 8, 2007
- Flyers Go Down In 9th - Orange County Flyers
- NFL Softball and Wedding at Blair Field on Sunday, August 12th. - Long Beach Armada
- Hit Parade Leads Yuma Rout - Yuma Scorpions
- Armada Stay Hot, Beat Outlaws 9-5 In Series Opener - Chico Outlaws
- Scorpions Sting Sox In Yuma - Reno Silver Sox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
