Beach Bums drop heartbreaker
June 2, 2006 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
Jaziel Mendoza capped a five run ninth inning comeback for the Chillicothe Paints with a three-run homer lifting the Paints to a 9-6 win over the Traverse City Beach Bums
The Beach Bums erupted for five first inning runs to take a quick lead. Justin Holmes led off with a bunt single, extending his hitting streak to eight games. Holmes was followed by a walk to Nick Batkoski. Kevin White then grounded a ball to third base. Brian Colopy stepped on third base to force Holmes, but his throw to second was high allowing Batkoski to move to third. Al Roach then made the Paint pay with a two-run double.
Kevin Gergel followed by being by a pitch. Designated hitter John Engers then walked to load the bases. Doug Garcia grounded a ball to first baseman Jaziel Mendoza who took it to the bag himself, retiring Garcia and allowing Roach to score making it 3-0 Traverse City. The Beach Bums rounded out their first inning scoring with a Nathan Gravley single, scoring Gergel and Engers making it 5-0 TC.
Chillicothe came back with two runs on three hits in the bottom half of the inning making it 5-2. Both pitchers then settled into the game with Jacob Hines retiring the next 10 batters in a row for Chillicothe. Tony Casoli was equal to the task as he held the Paints scoreless for the next four innings. The Paints pulled to within a run on an RBI double by Adrian Cantu in the sixth to make it 5-4 Traverse City.
The Beach Bums were able to get two more scoreless innings out of Hunter davis to keep the score 5-4 heading into the ninth. In the final frame, Justin Holmes doubled with one out. Holmes then caught Paints' pitcher Marshall Plouffe napping and stole third. On a 2-1 count to Batkoski, Plouffe uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Holmes to score and make it 6-4 TC.
The Paints were not willing to quit as they got their first two men on in the ninth via the walk. After a Brian Colopy sacrifice moved the runners to second and third with one out. Paul Rutgers hit a bloop single to center scoring Steve Martin and Matt Cooksey to tie the game at 6-6. With Rutgers taking second on the throw, the Beach Bums walked John Ramistella to set up the double play. Unfortunately, Jaziel Mendoza had other ideas, parking a three run homer to right giving the Paints a 9-6 win.
The Beach Bums return home for a three game set against the Gateway Grizzlies. Saturday's game is Mancino's Pizza and Grinders Stickin' it to ya night at the ballpark when every fan will receive a magnet schedule courtesy of Mancino's Pizza and Grinders. Ryan Gehring (0-1) will pitch for Traverse City against Todd Stein (0-0) for Gateway.
Frontier League Stories from June 2, 2006
- Washington Takes Care of Business in Windy City - Washington Wild Things
- Dessau shuts out Freedom - Gateway Grizzlies
- Beach Bums drop heartbreaker - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Freedom Outdueled by Gateway, 3-1 - OSC Original by Andrew Kappes
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