Johnson no-hitter caps off Outlaws' doubleheader sweep of Samurai Bears
Published on June 20, 2005 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
Chico right-hander Seth Johnson tossed the first no-hitter in Golden Baseball League history, striking out 11 while coming within an out of a perfect game as the Outlaws shut out Japan 5-0 to complete a doubleheader sweep of the Samurai Bears in front of a Father's Day crowd of 2,384 Sunday night at Nettleton Stadium in Chico.
The Outlaws were victorious in the first game of the twinbill, scoring two runs in the 1st inning and three in the 7th to down the Samurai Bears 5-1. Left-hander Alex Carbajal (1-0), making his first start since being acquired in a trade with the independent Northern League's Lincoln Saltdogs, went five-and-two-thirds innings to earn the victory...Mike Gits came in from the Chico bullpen to short-circuit a 6th inning Samurai Bears rally and earn his sixth save of the season. David Trujillo was the hitting star for Chico, providing an RBI single and a two-run double...Bobby Gandolfo also contributed with a run-scoring triple. Rentaro Seki (3-1) went the distance for Japan but was saddled with the loss.
It was in the nightcap of the double dip, though, that GBL history was made - Johnson, making his fourth start in just his second pro season, mowed through the first 15 Samurai Bears batters he faced, striking out the side in the 3rd inning. The Outlaws provided Seth with plenty of offensive support - with runners at first and second in the 2nd inning, Eddie Guessford launched a long home run over the left field wall to put Chico on top 3-0. In the 4th Steve Booker scored from second when Japan's Daisuke Ikenaga threw wildly to first trying to complete a double play...the error giving the Outlaws a four run cushion. Chico plated their final run in the 5th when Steve Newson doubled off Samurai Bears starter Taishi Sasaki and came home on Guessford's bloop single to right.
Now staked to a five run lead, Seth Johnson took it from there...his lone mistake coming when he walked Atsushi Suyama on a 3-2 pitch to lead off the 6th inning. But Johnson finished with a flourish, striking out five straight batters before getting Yuji Nerei to ground out to second to end the game and give the Outlaws the doubleheader sweep and Johnson a place in the Golden Baseball League record books.
Johnson (1-2) threw just 75 pitches to post the historic victory; Sasaki (0-1) took the loss for the Samurai Bears. The doubleheader wins improved Chico's season record to 11-12 on the season and moved the Outlaws into sole possession of second place in the GBL's California Division, while Japan dropped to 5-16 on the year. The Outlaws take Monday off before resuming their homestand Tuesday with the first of three against the Yuma Scorpions...right-hander Jess Turner (1-3) will be on the mound for Chico in the series opener. Gametime is at 7:05pm with gates opening at 6:00; good seats are still available. You can also listen to the action live on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM or on the internet at www.ChicoOutlawsBaseball.com.
Golden Baseball League Stories from June 20, 2005
- Johnson no-hitter caps off Outlaws' doubleheader sweep of Samurai Bears - Chico Outlaws
- Miners win series over Fightin' Falcons - Mesa Miners
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