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Fireworks Show Knocks Out Fans, and Ballgame

May 30, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release


A huge crowd of nearly 3,000 folks turned up for Enloe Medical Center's Friday Fireworks, and no one left a loser.

The Chico Outlaws fell behind quickly, 5-0 after the Calgary Vipers stormed out in their first two at-bats. However, Truan Mehl would hit a three-run blast in the bottom of the 2nd, and Jason Crosland hit a solo shot in the 7th, and the Outlaws would rally with two more in the ninth to tie the ballgame.

Trailing 6-4, the Outlaws would bring two runs to the plate in the bottom of the ninth, forcing the extra frames. Blake Gailen scored the tying run on a botched pick-off attempt, as Calgary closer Jon Huizanga threw the ball into the centerfield with two outs.

In the extra frames, Mikael Ryder continued his mastery out of the bullpen, blanking the Vipers in the 10th and 11th to finish with five scoreless innings in relief. But, the offense couldn't make a winner of Ryder, as they had the winning run on third in both extra innings and came up empty.

As the 12th inning was set to begin, the clock struck 11 p.m. and the much anticipated fireworks had to begin. Any later in the evening, and the fireworks would violate public nuisance laws of Chico. Thus, play was suspended, a 15 minute firework show began, and the suspended ballgame will pick up tomorrow at 6 p.m. with Jesse Oster coming out of the bullpen to face Colin Moro to begin the top of the 12th.

The tough decision had to be made tonight, but as mentioned, no one went home a loser on Friday night. Everyone with ticket stubs from tonight's ballgame will be admitted free to both the 6 p.m. start, and the regularly scheduled game tomorrow evening. So keep those stubs, and come out and make those tickets 2-for-1!

In the nightcap of the mini-doubleheader, Brazilian-Japanese left-hander Jo Matuomoto will go to the mound for the Outlaws. He'll be opposed by Erik Dessau, who is 1-0 after winning a rain-shortened five inning game in Calgary.

Tune in, or come out to the yard early and catch two ballgames for the price of one.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from May 30, 2009


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