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Can-Am Ottawa Champions

Ramirez Returns to Walk off Grays

August 28, 2015 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Ottawa Champions News Release


Ottawa, ON - Roberto Ramirez hit a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Ottawa Champions edged the Garden State Gray 2-1 on Friday night.

The win keeps the Champions in fourth place in the Can-Am League standings. While they are tied with the Trois-Rivieres Aigles in the standings, Ottawa owns the head-to-head tiebreak, keeping them in a playoff spot.

It was Ramirez's first game back in Ottawa since returning to the team from Florida, where he was attending the birth of his child.

"I think the only thing he was swinging while he was gone was a baby, in his arms," Champions manager Hal Lanier said of Ramirez, citing his quick turnaround since returning to the Champions. "He's really swung the bat good and has done a great job for us."

Ottawa starter Laetten Galbraith and Garden State starter Will Scott were locked in a pitcher's duel through most of the night, and it was ultimately the bullpen that decided things.

"All I can say is, Laetten really pitched a good ballgame," Hal Lanier said. Galbraith wasn't supposed to pitch today, and was thrown into the starter's role at the last minute, according to the Champions' manager.

Nate Baker was the scheduled starter, but Lanier said he had a tender shoulder and couldn't pitch more than five innings. Pitching coach Billy Horn elected to go with Galbraith, the Shreveport, LA native.

"Billy asked me if I was ready to go, and I said yeah, let's do it," Galbraith said after his six and two-thirds innings on the bump.

The Champions opened the scoring in the eighth when Matt Tenaglia led off with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Winder.

Albert Cartwright followed with an RBI single through the left side to make it 1-0.

But Champions closer Alan DeRatt couldn't hold the lead, as he uncorked a wild pitch with a runner on third and two out in the ninth to tie the game 1-1.

It was a game of missed opportunities for both teams through the first seven innings.

Ottawa had it's best chance in the fourth when Tyler Heil and Sebastien Boucher both singled to start the inning, putting runners at first and second.

But Mike Schwartz grounded into a fielder's choice and Bryce Massanari grounded into a double play to end the threat.

Garden State had two runners on base in each of the fifth and sixth innings but Galbraith was able to navigate his team out of trouble both times.

Galbraith was impressive over his seven innings of work, shutting out the Grays on five hits while striking out two and walking two.

Scott was equally good for Garden State, scattering five hits over 6.2 shutout innings, while striking out five and walking none.

The Champions and Grays are back at it Saturday at RCGT Park for Canadian Forces Appreciation Night.

Drew Granier (3-5, 4.77 ERA) gets the ball for Ottawa against John Tangherlini (0-4, 6.18 ERA) for Garden State.

Check out the Ottawa Champions Statistics



Canadian American League Stories from August 28, 2015


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