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Benavidez wins it in extra innings

July 30, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Orange County Flyers News Release


FULLERTON, CA - If Flyers fans didn't know Julian Benavidez was healthy after his 4-for-4 performance against Tijuana earlier this week, perhaps now they'll take notice. Benavidez blasted a pinch-hit double off the left-center field wall in the bottom of the 10th inning to power Orange County past the Edmonton Capitals, 3-2, on Friday night at Goodwin Field. Benavidez, who missed nearly a month of the season with a strained oblique, was mobbed by his teammates after the Flyers seventh straight win.

Starting pitcher Jesse Smith did not receive a decision in eight strong innings of work, striking out eight in his second straight start and allowing two runs on six hits. Smith retired 14 of 15 batters from the first through fifth innings and got out of the sixth inning with Capitals on second and third threatening to take the lead.

Edmonton's Ryan Stevenson led off the game with a single, and Larry Bigbie doubled him home from first for an early 1-0 lead.

The Flyers tied the game in the second inning on Jim Goethals RBI-single to score David Harris. Capitals pitcher Daryl Arreola walked the bases loaded to begin the third inning, and Derek Perren crossed the plate on a double-play ball off the bat of Keith Ginter to give OC a 2-1 lead.

Three Capitals were ejected in the game, including manager Brent Bowers for arguing balls and strikes in the first inning. Catcher Nick Valdez was tossed after disagreeing with a called third strike against him in the fifth inning, and Stevenson was ejected in the aftermath of that call.

Edmonton tied the game, 2-2, in the sixth inning, when replacement centerfielder Steve Brown singled to begin the inning and later scored on a Tom Collaro double. OC got out of the inning with the Caps stranding a pair of runners in scoring position.

Edmonton reliever Yosandy Ibanez pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Arreola before turning the ball over to Chad Blackwell, who tossed a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. The Flyers, who had been held hitless since the first batter of the fifth inning, got the winning run on base in the 10th on Jimmy Rohan's third hit of the game. After a walk to Pedroza, Benavidez came to the plate to deliver the death blow.

Flyers reliever Mike Koons (4-1) earned the win with a scoreless, hitless 10th inning of work. Andre Simpson pitched a scoreless ninth inning, recovering from a pair of walks with an inning-ending double he started on a comeback ground ball.

Orange County and Edmonton will conclude this series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 5:05pm at Goodwin Field. Tickets are available by calling the Flyers office at (714) 526-8326 or visiting www.OrangeCountyFlyers.com.

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