Calgary Survives Late Chico Charge To Nip Outlaws 6-5
June 18, 2008 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
CHICO, CA - A flurry of late-inning home runs spiced up the opener of the Chico Outlaws three-game series with the visiting Calgary Vipers Tuesday night - Calgary used 8th and 9th inning homers to build a four-run cushion, only to see Chico hit back-to-back bombs in the bottom of the 9th...but the Outlaws rally fell just short and the Vipers escaped with a 6-5 victory in front of over 2,000 at Nettleton Stadium.
Chico got on the board with an unearned run in the 2nd off Calgary starting pitcher Dallas Mahan - Julian Benavidez got to second on a two-base throwing error by Vipers third baseman Travis Drader and scored on Shane Cronin's RBI single to center. The Outlaws went up 2-0 in the 3rd when Steve Boggs singled, stole second and came home on a Casey Garrison single to left. Outlaws starter Derrick Loop pitched out of bases-loaded jams in the 1st and 3rd innings and went on to pitch five innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits and striking out six. When Loop left the game after the 5th inning, it was announced that Derrick's contract had been purchased by the Boston Red Sox and he would be assigned to one of their minor league affiliates later in the week.
The Outlaws still led 2-0 until Calgary broke through in the 7th - with Trevor Caughey on in relief for Chico, the Vipers loaded the bases on a base hit, an error and a walk...Colin Moro then came home when Jorge Tang grounded into a double play. Two batters later, Felix Jose bounced a single through the left side of the infield to plate Jorge Mejia to tie the score. In the 8th Calgary grabbed a 4-2 lead when Mejia smacked a two-out, two-run homer off Outlaws reliever Tyler Pearson. The Vipers went up 6-2 in the top of the 9th when Pearson gave up a two-run bomb to Jose. Calgary left-hander Ryan Olson was asked to get the final three outs, but Chico would not go quietly in the bottom of the 9th - after Olson struck out Benavidez and pinch-hitter Matt Ceriani, Todd Gossage walked and Gabe Riley followed with his first professional home run, making the score 6-4. Two pitches later Shane Cronin clubbed a solo homer to center, making it a one-run contest...but Olson got pinch-hitter Kevin McCarthy to ground out to Mejia at second to end the game and hand the Outlaws their third straight defeat.
P.J. Bevis (1-0), the second of three pitchers used by Calgary, got credit for the win, with Pearson (0-1) taking the loss for Chico. Boggs and Cronin each had two hits to pace the Outlaws, while Mejia finished the night 3-for-5 and Jose drove in three runs for the Vipers. Tuesday's loss dropped Chico's record to 6-14 on the season, while Calgary improved to 14-6 on the year. Game two of the series is scheduled for Wednesday, with the Outlaws sending right-hander Greg Bicknell (1-0) to the mound...the Vipers countering with righty Nate Melek (1-1). Game time is 7:05pm...hear all the action with Rory Miller calling the play-by-play on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM and AM 1340; the game can also be heard on-line at www.ChicoOutlawsBaseball.com.
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Golden Baseball League Stories from June 18, 2008
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