Outlaws Rally in Eighth, Even with Quiet Bats
June 27, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
CHICO- The rubbermatch of the series was perhaps the wildest game of the year for the Outlaws. The Outlaws once again had to rally to pick up the victory, 7-5, against the Fielders. The highlight of the night was a crazy five run eighth inning that would see only two Outlaws get hits.
The Fielders scored the first runs of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Argelis Nunez hit a line drive over the wall in left, barely clearing the height of the scoreboard on its journey out of the ballpark. The next batter, CJ Ziegler, would not be outdone; he hit a nearly identical pitch that was just sent over the left field wall for a homerun of his own. The Fielders continued piling on the runs in the inning with a Matt Mansilla single that turned into the game's third run on a Jino Gonzalez infield single.
The Outlaws responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. After Bobby Hill was hit by a pitch and Jake Rife hit a single to right, Al Quintana continued to display his hot bat with a single that sent both runners home and drew the Outlaws within one, 3-2.
Lake County cushioned their lead in the fifth inning. With one out, Lino Garcia hit a ground rule double to the deepest part of the field to put himself in scoring position. Garcia would then steal second and come home on a Ziegler single to bring the score to 4-2.
A wild eighth inning would see the Outlaws score five runs on only two hits. Kurt Steinhauer started the rally by reaching first base on a dropped third strike. Two straight hits and a walk would load the bases for the Outlaws and bring Chris Lubanski to the plate. Although he would line out to the shortstop, a run would score from third on a wild pitch during the at bat. An Al Quintana intentional pass would again load the bases, this time for rookie Danny Gonzalez. Gonzalez would hit a shot to shortstop Rex Rundgren who fielded the ball then made an errant throw to home which allowed two runs to score and put the Outlaws ahead 6-4. With runners on second and third, Fielders pitcher Ben Paxton proceeded to then drill two Outlaws hitters, the second of which occurred with the bases loaded to score Quintana from third.
The Fielders would rally in the top of the ninth but come up short against Outlaws closer Omar Aguilar. Josh Giles picked up his second win of the season, while Aguilar recorded his third save in as many chances. The Outlaws victory marks just the second series win of the year; the first coming against Yuma in the first week of the season.
The two teams will benefit from an odd break in the schedule and receive the next three days off. However, they will have to face each other Thursday to start another three game series.
North American League Stories from June 27, 2011
- Five Homeruns Undo Wings, Lose 12-7 - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Martin, Thunder Snap Roadrunners Streak - Edinburg Roadrunners
- Colts take three out of four against WhiteWings to extend division lead - San Angelo Colts
- Caps OF Linden Named NAL Player of the Week - Edmonton Capitals
- Edmonton OF Todd Linden and Calgary RHP Dusty Gober Named Players of the Week - NAmL
- Vipers Sign Former Major Leaguer - Calgary Vipers
- Outlaws Knock Off Fielders In Series Finale - Lake County Fielders
- Outlaws Rally in Eighth, Even with Quiet Bats - Chico Outlaws
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