Scorpions gunned down by Outlaws

Published on August 17, 2007 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Yuma Scorpions News Release


YUMA, Ariz. - The Scorpions' chase for a second-half pennant gained a little support in Utah, but they couldn't take advantage of it back home at Desert Sun Stadium.

Yuma lost 8-3 to the Chico Outlaws on Thursday, and missed an opportunity to move within one game of first-place Long Beach, who dropped a 6-1 decision at last-place St. George.

The Scorpions remain two games out of first place with 10 to play, including a pivotal two-game series against the Armada this weekend on the road.

"It was disappointing (that we didn't gain ground), but I'm more disappointed that we threw a poor game in there. We didn't compete very well," Scorpions manager Mike Marshall said. "We have Long Beach for two games, but we're running out of time. It wasn't a good time to play a poor game."

Trailing 4-1 in the bottom of the sixth, the Scorpions should have went down in order, but Rich Janeway's lazy fly to left-center field went for a two-base error to leadoff the inning. That opened the door for two runs in the inning.

Janeway later scored on Maikel Jova's sacrifice fly, and Yosvany Almario hit a solo shot to left to pull the Scorpions within 4-3.

Yuma (18-10) put the tying run in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings, with no luck. With one out in the seventh, Nikolaus Crouch was cut down trying to advance from second to third on a ground ball to the left side.

The game unraveled from there for the Scorpions. The first five Chico (11-17) batters reached base in the eighth inning against the Yuma bullpen, leading to four-spot that put the game out of reach.

"We have to play better later in the game," said Scorpions designated hitter Pascual Matos, who went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. "The last two weeks we've been playing a bit shaky."

Yuma starting pitcher Eric Maydew gutted out seven innings, allowing all four runs charged to him within the first five frames.

Chico right fielder Daniel Nava touched Maydew for a two-run homer to right-center in the top of the fourth to give the Outlaws a 3-1 lead. Nava came into the game second in the Golden Baseball League in batting average, behind the Scorpions' Mike Goss. Nava went 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Goss had the night off.

"We didn't lose ground. We're right on (Long Beach)," Matos said "Tomorrow is a new day."

We have to get it back tomorrow, and then see if St. George can beat (Long Beach)."

The Scorpions don't have any days off the rest of the way. Yuma and Chico close out their series tonight at 7 p.m. at Desert Sun Stadium, and then the Scorpions go on the road for six days.

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Golden Baseball League Stories from August 17, 2007


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