CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Maronde Throws 7 No-Hit Innings, K's 10, 66ers Fall in 11

Published on July 18, 2012 under California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


Nick Maronde was near perfect for seven innings in Stockton, striking out 10 Ports batters and not allowing a single hit, but the 66ers still fell 5-2 in 11 innings. C.J. Cron's two run home run in the 10th was equalized by Stockton who won with a walk off home run by Josh Whitaker in the 11th.

The 66ers made their way north with momentum on their side after winning five of their last six including a series win over division leading Stockton, and they certainly pitched that way during regulation. Nick Maronde issued a lead off walk while he calibrated his pitches to the umpire's strike zone and then retired 12 in a row. A walk in the 5th failed to break his rhythm as he set down the next seven, five on strikeouts. Maronde capped his night with his 10th strikeout and left the game without allowing a hit.

Maronde also left the game without the lead. The 66ers could not break through against the Ports pitching staff. Leaving the bases loaded in the 4 th. Even a great defensive play could not spark the offense. Randal Grichuk preserved the no-hitter with the defensive play of the year in center catching a fly ball off the bat of Leonardo Gil with both feet planted on the outfield wall in the bottom of the 6th. But the next inning, despite a one out single the 66ers still failed to score.

After Maronde left the game, Eric Cendejas pitched two near perfect innings of relief. Only a bloop single in the 8th separated the reliever from combining with Maronde on a no hitter. Offensively though the 66ers still failed to break through, loading the bases in the 9th only to see the inning's final out recorded on a ground ball to the right side.

The 66ers finally broke through in the 10th when C.J. Cron smashed his 15thhome run over the right field wall to give the 66ers a 2-0 lead. Cron's league leading 77th and 78th RBI appeared good enough to win it as Stockton was held to just one bloop single in nine innings, but the Ports somehow answered with a home run from B.A. Vellmuth to tie it in the 10th, and then Josh Whitaker won it with a three run blast in the 11th.

The 66ers will attempt to bounce back Wednesday in game two at Stockton, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. The game can be heard on the home of 66ers baseball KCAA 1050 AM beginning with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Pre-Game show at 6:55. For information on 66ers tickets or to schedule your next fun filled group outing, contact the 66ers front office at (909)888-9922, or check out the website 66ers.com.

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California League Stories from July 18, 2012


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