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Joes win 5-4

August 11, 2007 - South Coast League (SCL)
Anderson Joes News Release


Blake Gailen put his stamp all over Anderson's 5-4, 11-inning win against the Macon Music on Saturday, playing an integral late-inning role in the Joes' eighth walk-off win of the season.

After hitting a game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, Gailen then sailed a ball to left field with runners at the corners in the 11th that would bring in the winning run in front of 1,372 at Anderson Memorial Stadium.

With Rafael Diaz having hit a lead-off single in the 11th inning and the score 4-4, Brandon Carter then attempted to bunt Diaz to second. But Macon reliever Rudy Quinonez's throwing error while trying to retire Carter allowed Diaz to make his way to third.

Then, Gailen stepped to the plate and popped a fly ball of medium distance to left field. With Diaz tagging from third and nobody out, left fielder Courtney Billingslea dropped the ball, letting Diaz score without a play and the Joes to win their third extra-inning game of the season -- all against Macon.

"Yes! Yes we won," Gailen said when asked to recount his reaction to Billingslea's error. "Nothing more than that."

The stage was set by numerous other performers and events leading up to the climactic bottom of the 11th.

Gailen started the scoring for the Joes with a triple and run scored in a two-run bottom of the first inning.

Macon took a 4-3 lead out of the sixth inning, but Anderson starter Jan Granado kept them close with six strikeouts through seven frames.

Walker Whitley pitched three scoreless innings of relief, beginning in the ninth and ending with the 11th, to ensure Anderson an opportunity for another thrilling conclusion.

And, of course, Gailen's home run in the ninth, just his second of the year, to tie the game and force extra innings.

"I'm trying to remember a more dramatic at-bat and I can't really think of one," Gailen said of his career. "Here with the atmosphere, it was definitely an experience and I hope to do it again sometime."

Whitley earned the win, his first career decision with the Joes (14-15, 27-47 overall). Quinonez took the loss for the Music (16-11, 46-26), dropping to 2-4.

It was only the second time all season Macon had lost a game it led after eight innings. Meanwhile, the Joes improved to 7-8 against the league's second-place team this season, including three straight series wins against the Music. Saturday's game was the sixth one-run contest between the two teams this season.

Anderson enjoys an off-day Sunday before starting a four-game set against Bradenton, including a doubleheader Monday.

The Joes made up a half-game on the league-leading South Georgia Peanuts, who had a game suspended due to rain.

Anderson must now make up just five games in the standings with 16 games remaining.

"That's what we're gonna need out here, everybody to contribute and give forth their best effort," Gailen said.



South Coast League Stories from August 11, 2007


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