Outlaws overcome errors, nip Dawgs 3-2
Published on July 12, 2006 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
Looking at the box score after the game, it's hard to imagine that the Outlaws could have been close to winning a game in which they committed four errors and collected just three hits. It's even harder to imagine an Outlaws victory considering that the San Diego Surf Dawgs collected 11 hits. But Chico found a way to win ugly Tuesday, as the home team held off San Diego 3-2 in a sloppy but entertaining series opener.
The game ended on a play at the plate in the top of the ninth when Victor Roldan tried to score from second on Tony Garcia's bloop hit to center field. Jason Matteucci's one-hop throw arrived at the same time as Roldan, and when the dust settled, Roldan was ruled out on a close call that caused many Surf Dawgs players to storm the field in protest.
Outlaws starter Grant Gregg overcame his fielders' difficulties to pick up his third win of the season and A.J. Ampi notched his fifth save after retiring two hitters in the ninth. Gregg threw eight innings and struck out five, and made the Surf Dawgs leave nine runners on base. The Surf Dawgs stranded runners in seven separate innings.
San Diego's starter, Jake Meyer, was a victim of his team's bad defense, as he took the hard-luck loss despite yielding no earned runs. The Surf Dawgs defense made four errors behind him. In his 7 1/3 innings of work, Meyer gave up three unearned runs and three hits. He struck out four and didn't walk any Outlaws hitters, but his record fell to 0-2 on the season.
Chico opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Mike Mallory hit a high chopper down the third base line. Desi Wilson, on second base after reaching on an error and a wild pitch, broke for third when the ball was hit and never stopped as he rounded third base. Mallory beat the throw to first and Richard Quihuis-Bell then fired home, but not quick enough to get the sliding Wilson. Mallory was credited with an infield single and his 42nd RBI of the year.
After San Diego scored single runs in the second and third innings, Chico took the lead in the fifth with two unearned runs that were aided by gusty winds and bad outfield play. San Diego centerfielder Seth Pietsch dropped Lino Garcia's fly ball and the next hitter, Jesse Kovacs, also reached on a misplayed fly ball, this one to left fielder Jeremy McCann. Garcia scored on McCann's error and two batters later Bobby Gandolfo plated Kovacs with a groundout...it would turn out to be the game's deciding run.
The win improved Chico's record to 21-17, but the Outlaws were officially eliminated from the first-half title race because Reno beat the Yuma Scorpions, 15-3. The second half of the Golden Baseball League schedule begins Friday when Yuma visits Nettleton Stadium. The last place Surf Dawgs dropped to 15-23 on the year.
As for the rest of the first half, the Outlaws have two more home games against San Diego. Right-hander Mike Cosgrove (3-0) is scheduled to start for Chico Wednesday night, while the Surf Dawgs plan to counter with lefty Justin Ottman (2-2). Game time is 7:05pm.
Golden Baseball League Stories from July 12, 2006
- Frydendall outduels Armada - Orange County Flyers
- Reno Silver Sox clinch first half championship - Reno Silver Sox
- Outlaws overcome errors, nip Dawgs 3-2 - Chico Outlaws
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