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Dodgers Drop First Game, Cruise in Nightcap

August 27, 2006 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Vero Beach Devil Rays News Release


(Jupiter, FL) - After taking a 4-1 lead, the Vero Beach Dodgers lost Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader in Jupiter 5-4. However, the team would not relinquish the lead in the nightcap, down the Hammerheads 7-1 to split Saturday night's doubleheader at Roger Dean Stadium. Cory Dunlap reached base six times over the two games and Shane Justis added his first Florida State League homerun. Following a scheduled off day Sunday, the Dodgers return home Monday night at 7:00 PM against the Daytona Cubs.

After fumbling the lead in the first game, the Dodgers used timely hitting and solid pitching from Marlon Arias, Ryan Ketchner (2-1) and Ramon Troncoso to earn the split. Vero Beach scored in five of the seven innings, with David Nicholson personally crossing home plate all four times he reached base.

Nicholson scored the game's first run in the top of the first when he walked, stole second and came home on Russ Mitchell's single to left. The next inning Ryder Mathias doubled in Juan Apodaca, who had also doubled. In the third, Nicholson picked up a two-base hit and Dunlap singled him home.

The base hit for Dunlap extended his on-base streak to 31 games, the top streak of any Vero Beach hitter this year. He would drive in Nicholson in fifth with a double and again in the sixth with his third hit of the game. Pinch-runner Eloy Gutierrez also scored that inning on a wild pitch and Xavier Paul came home on a Mitchell ground out. The three-run sixth iced the Dodgers 7-1 victory.

The first game started well for Vero Beach. Shane Justis stroked a two-run home run to left in the second inning for a 2-0 lead. It was his first homer for the Dodgers and his fifth overall. Jamie Hoffmann followed the long ball with a double, stole third and scored on a single from Xavier Paul.

Jupiter answered with one run in the third when Vero starter Alberto Bastardo walked the first two batters of the inning and gave up a one-out single to load the bases. A passed ball brought in the Hammerheads run.

Vero regained a three-run lead in the top of the fourth when Hoffmann singled, stole second and came in on a double from Gabriel Gutierrez - his first extra-base hit in 36 games for the Dodgers.

Zach Hammes (6-3) relieved Bastardo in the fourth but he, too, had control trouble. He dealt a one-out walk to Kyle Padgett and Greg Brown reached on an infield hit. One out later, Dante Brinkley doubled in one run and Brad Davis walked to load the bases. Hammes then walked Grant Psomas to force in one run and a wild pitch brought in the tying run.

Hammes rebounded for a perfect fifth, but again ran into trouble in the sixth. Carlos Piste reached on a fielder's choice and both Brinkley and Davis walked to load the bases. Brent Leach entered in relief, but walked Psomas to again force in a run, this time the run that eventually won the game. It was the 33rd one-run loss of the year for Vero Beach.



Florida State League Stories from August 27, 2006


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