Flyers Win Series Opener, Edge Outlaws 5-3
June 24, 2008 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
FULLERTON, CA - The Orange County Flyers were only able to score in one inning Monday night at Goodwin Field...but the five runs that crossed the plate in the 5th were just enough for right-hander Andre Simpson, who came up two outs short of a complete game as he outdueled Chico's Greg Bicknell in a 5-3 series-opening victory over the visiting Outlaws.
Chico grabbed the early lead with an unearned run in the 2nd inning - Orange County's Pat Breen misplayed a Jose Valdez fly ball at the center field wall; Valdez reaching third on the play...two batters later Gabe Riley delivered a sacrifice fly to put the Outlaws in front 1-0. Bicknell made the slim advantage stand up through the 4th inning, allowing just one hit and at one point retiring 11 straight Flyers batters. But in the fateful 5th Orange County broke through, combining four extra-base hits to grab the lead - with one out and Breen at second, Fernando Pacheco ripped a long home run to right to put the Flyers in front 2-1. Back-to-back doubles by Buddy Morales and Jeff Van Houten made the score 3-1...then Mark Okano dialed long distance, smacking a two-run homer to left to up Orange County's lead to 5-1.
The Outlaws scratched back, scoring a run in the 7th when Simpson surrendered a solo homer to Todd Gossage (his third round-tripper in two days)...and in the 9th Julian Benavidez came home on a Gossage groundout to make the score 5-3. But with the tying run at the plate, Flyers closer Dane De La Rosa got pinch-hitter Shane Cronin to foul out to Pacheco at first to end the late-inning rally and the game...Orange County beating Chico for the fourth time in as many tries on the season.
Simpson (7-0) struck out six and did not walk a batter to earn the victory...Bicknell (1-1) fanned a season-high seven in seven-and-a-third innings of work but was saddled with the loss. Chico actually outhit Orange County 8-7; Riley and Casey Garrison delivering two hits apiece for the Outlaws...Okano went 2-for-4 to pace the Flyers, who with Monday's win improved their Golden Baseball League-best record to 19-6; the Outlaws fell to 9-17 on the season. Game two of the series is set for Tuesday with lefty Jason Roach (0-4) getting the start for Chico against left-hander Bob Cramer (1-0). 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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