RoadRunners Pull Even in GBL South Series
Published on September 5, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
St. George RoadRunners News Release
TUCSON, ARIZONA - The St. George RoadRunners pulled even with the Tucson Toros in the Golden Baseball League's Southern Division Final on Friday night defeating the host squad 6-3 in front of 3,429 fans at Hi Corbett Field.
After two games, the series is tied 1-1.
Jesse Smith, who went 10-5 this season with the Orange County Flyers, tossed 7.2 quality inning allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven. Smith received ample offensive support to earn his first post-season victory of 2009 (1-0).
Jose Rodriguez blasted a two-run home run in the first inning off Toro starter Dustin Glant (0-1). Tucson cut the lead in half when Junior Spivey lifted a solo homer to left in the home half of the frame.
A.J. Valentine's single in the third brought home Ruddy Yan and a subsequent error at third base allowed Yosvany Almario to score on the tail end of the play. Ryan Stevenson tripled down the right field line to plate Valentine later in the three-run inning.
Leading 5-1 in the fourth, Gary Harris lined a long ball to right field to push the lead to five. The Toros would respond with another solo shot, this time by Jim Rushford to cut the St. George lead to 6-2.
Rushford would plate the game's final run in the Toro eighth with an RBI double off Eude Brito.
Julio Castro retired the side in order with two strikeouts to mail down the save.
The RoadRunners knocked 13 hits - Valentine paced the club going 4-for-5 with an RBI. Rodriguez, Harris and Eric Pringle each added two hits. Tucson had seven total hits with Rushford contributing three of them.
Tensions escalated in the Tucson third when Spivey was tagged out by Smith on a comebacker near the first base line. Spivey responded to the tag with some aggression that led to both benches clearing. Spivey and manager Tim Johnson were ejected for their roles in the scuffle and arguments after the fact.
Game three of the best-of-five series is set for Saturday night at 8:05pm Mountain in Tucson. St. George is expected to start RHP David Seccombe while the Toros counter with LHP Vince Davis.
Listen to all of the playoff action on the RoadRunners Radio Network with John Potter.
Golden Baseball League Stories from September 5, 2009
- Toros Shutout By Roadrunners 1-0 In Game 3 - Tucson Toros
- Caps Nearly Force Game Five - Edmonton Capitals
- Vipers Advance to 'Ship with Ninth-Inning Rally - Calgary Vipers
- RoadRunners Pull Even in GBL South Series - St. George RoadRunners
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.
