Outlaws Claw Back With Rally, But Come Up Short
Published on May 22, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
Tucson, Arizona - An exciting opening night ballgame in Tucson, Arizona saw the Outlaws claw back into contention, but strand the tying runners on base in an 8-6 loss to the Tucson Toros.
The Chico Outlaws found themselves down 8-1 entering the top of the 8th inning Thursday night. But, shortstop Dale Swinford led the 8th off with a fantastic hustle play, and the spark was lit for a late-inning rally that would come up just short.
Swinford hit a slow-chopper down the third-base line, and hustling down the line, he was going to beat out the throw. Perhaps feeling comfortable with an 8-1 lead, the Toros threw wide of first trying to get the speedy Swinford, and the Outlaws shortstop would wind-up on third base as the baseball went down the right-field line. That ignited a four-run 8th inning, which was highlighted by a Bryan Silverman 3-run moon-shot of a home-run over the 30 foot tall center-field wall.
Donald Brandt would pitch a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th to get the energized Outlaws quickly back to the bat-rack. In the 9th, the first three Outlaws would reach base, with Swinford slicing an RBI double down the rightfield line to score Dan Luyben and make the score 8-6. Blake Gailen would follow with a basehit, and with the tying runs on and nobody out, the Outlaws look poised to turn their seven run deficit around.
However, a double-play lineout on the final pitch of the game would end it. Former Major League Lorenzo Barcelo would pitch 6.2 innings to earn the victory, with Tucson local Tom Wilhelmsen coming on as the second reliever in the ninth to put out the Outlaws brewing flames.
Kevin Altman went 6.1 innings for the Outlaws, surrendering 5 earned runs, taking the loss. Altman pitched efficently and had an overall impressive outing. He gave up only single tallies in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, keeping his ballclub in the contention while dueling with the solid Barcelo. Altman went to the mound in the 7th and wouldn't finish the inning, giving way to Donald Brandt.
Other highlights for the Outlaws included Bryan Silverman collecting two hits in his last two at-bats and coming across to score twice. His three-run bomb to dead center was a sight to see. Jason Crosland played a solid defensive third-base, and collected two singles in his first two at-bats. Dale Swinford wound up with a team-leading three base-hits, as well as one stolen base.
Tomorrow night (Friday), the Outlaws will get right back after it, with another first-pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Follow along with Joe Rauschenberger with all the play-by-play online right here at ChicoOutlaws.com. Rauschenberger will open his feed around 6:35 p.m. with ambient crowd noise, and will begin his pre-game at 6:40 p.m.
Golden Baseball League Stories from May 22, 2009
- Armada hold on to win in Calgary, 10-9 - Long Beach Armada
- Comebacks Fall Short - Calgary Vipers
- Game On - Edmonton Capitals
- Grant Fuhr Headlines Celebrity Packed Opening Weekend For Capitals - Edmonton Capitals
- Flyers Open Season May 25th in Chico - Orange County Flyers
- Outlaws Claw Back With Rally, But Come Up Short - Chico Outlaws
- Victoria Seals Fall In Season Opener - Victoria Seals
- Toros Open Up With A Win - Tucson Toros
- Three Vipers Pitchers Combine For Shutout - Calgary Vipers
- Lima lasts 8 innings, but Vipers bite for 4 runs - Long Beach Armada
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
