Ritchie Ties It In Ninth Before Mavs Walk Off
April 24, 2016 - California League (CalL1)
Lancaster JetHawks News Release
ADELANTO, Calif. - Jamie Ritchie tied the game with a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the ninth, but the High Desert Mavericks scored a run in the bottom half to pick up a 10-9 win over the JetHawks on Saturday night at Heritage Field.
Ramon Laureano drew a walk with one-out in the ninth to set up Ritchie's game-tying shot. The opposite field home run was his first of the season. It came against John Fasola (1-0) who blew the save but eventually picked up the win.
After a leadoff single in the bottom of the ninth, Josh Morgan attempted a sacrifice bunt and appeared to be hit by the pitch. Home plate umpire Brandon Butler ruled the pitch hit Morgan's bat which led to two ejections in the Mavericks dugout and a brief delay. When action resumed, Morgan hit a fly ball to deep center that went in and out of the leaping Jason Martin's glove. Edgardo Sandoval (0-1) intentionally walked Seth Spivey to load the bases for Juremi Profar with nobody out. Profar hit a popup to shallow left field that kicked off the glove of the charging left fielder Alejandro Garcia. Garcia's throw to the plate, which would have been in time to force out the runner, pulled Ritchie's foot off the plate allowing the winning run to score.
The JetHawks (5-9) had come back to take a lead with a four-run sixth inning. The first four batters of the inning walked to bring home a run before Garcia singled home a pair of runs. Garcia totaled three hits in the game. A Kristian Trompiz sacrifice fly brought home the fourth run of the inning.
High Desert (13-4) would take the lead in the bottom of the inning against Ryan Thompson. Scott Heineman drove home a run with a ground out and Jairo Beras singled home a pair. On the Beras single, the trail runner, Luke Tendler, was thrown out at the plate. Butler ruled that Ritchie had blocked the plate illegally, which allowed the run to count. JetHawks manager Ramon Vazquez argued the call was ejected from the game.
Starter Joshua James was taken out of the game in the second inning because of a high pitch count. He allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits in 1.2 innings.
The JetHawks will try to avoid a sweep in the finale of the four-game series on Sunday afternoon at Heritage Field. Scott Weathersby (0-1) will start for the JetHawks against Luis Ortiz (1-1). First pitch is at 1:05 p.m.
California League Stories from April 24, 2016
- Quakes Squander Lead, Pesky Rawhide Rally to Earn Series Split - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- JetHawks Drop Finale Despite Ferguson's Strong Day - Lancaster JetHawks
- Johnson, Giants Offense Roll in 12-4 Victory - San Jose Giants
- Early Offense Dooms Nuts in 12-4 Loss - Modesto Nuts
- The Force Was Strong with Herb and Mack, Blaze Dominate - Bakersfield Blaze
- Late Rally Stymied as Ports Fall 8-6 - Stockton Ports
- Rancho Cruises in 10-3 Win vs. Rawhide - Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- Giants Drop 12-9 Slugfest to Modesto - San Jose Giants
- Ritchie Ties It In Ninth Before Mavs Walk Off - Lancaster JetHawks
- Mack's Homer Not Enough, Blaze Fall 4-2 - Bakersfield Blaze
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