Offense takes over in 12-7 Outlaws win
July 31, 2006 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
Pitching has carried the Outlaws during the current six-game winning streak, but it was all about offense Sunday night at Nettleton Stadium, as Chico pounded out 15 hits en route to a 12-7 victory over the Yuma Scorpions (3-11). The series sweep keeps the Outlaws (11-3) three games above second-place Fullerton in the Golden Baseball League's second-half standings.
The scoreboard at Nettleton Stadium featured a multitude of crooked numbers, as the teams combined for 19 runs, 22 hits and 12 walks. But on paper, the game should have been more of a pitchers' duel. Yuma starter Jorge Perez (6-2) entered the game leading the GBL in ERA and wins while Chico starter Hideki Nagasaka's (3-1) last start was a one-run, eight inning victory.
Just like the previous two games in the series, the Scorpions scored first Sunday, as Jacob Guzman homered to straightaway center field in the top of the second. Kalen Norton doubled after Guzman and he scored later in the inning on a groundout to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
Mike Mallory (3 for 4) wasted no time getting his team on the board in the bottom half of the inning. His tape-measure homer to left field tallied one run, and Jesse Kovacs (3 for 4 with three RBI) came through later with a bases-loaded double that scored Craig Kuzmic and Jason Van Meetren. The Outlaws put up another three-spot in the third frame with an RBI single from Desi Wilson and a two-run double from Van Meetren. Wilson finished the night 2 for 5 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Speaking of three-run innings, the Outlaws had another one in the fourth. With one out, Jason Matteucci walked and Bobby Gandolfo knocked him in with a triple down the right field line. Wilson's single up the middle plated Gandolfo and chased Perez from the game. Perez completed 3 1/3 innings and gave up nine runs, eight earned, along with nine hits and four walks.
Down 9-2, the Scorpions fought to get back into the game in the fifth frame with two long balls. Catcher Steve Smith smacked a two-run bomb early in the inning and Javier Lopez did the same later in the frame to cut the Chico lead to 9-6. The Outlaws responded in the bottom half with a run on a groundout from Wilson.
Yuma scored its final run in the top of the seventh, while the Outlaws tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Kovacs smacked an RBI single that scored Lino Garcia and Matteucci plated Whit Pierce with a double-play grounder.
The Outlaws bullpen got some much-needed work Sunday, as manager Mark Parent used A.J. Ampi, Jake McKinley and Robert Anaya for one inning apiece. Nagasaka's victorious night ended after six innings, six runs and two strikeouts. Including Sunday, the Outlaws bullpen has thrown just six innings in the past six games and the team's ERA during that stretch now sits at 1.50.
After an off-day Monday, the Outlaws will play on the road Tuesday in Long Beach at 12:05. Nick Singleton (6-5) is slated to start for the Outlaws. The next home game will be Friday night at 7:05 p.m. when the San Diego Surf Dawgs come to town.
Golden Baseball League Stories from July 31, 2006
- Offense takes over in 12-7 Outlaws win - Chico Outlaws
- Surf Dawgs stay perfect in extras - San Diego Surf Dawgs
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