Seals surrender late lead, but walk-off with 4-3 victory
August 20, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release
Victoria, BC - In search of two straight home wins for the first time in over a month, the Victoria Seals squared off against the Orange County Flyers in game two on Wednesday night. With the Flyers turning to Manny Ayala (2-4) for the start, the Seals countered with Aaron Trolia (1-3) at Royal Athletic Park.
Staking his team to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second frame, Julian Benavidez notched his team-leading ninth home run of the season to give Orange County an early advantage. Victoria responded with some offense of their own in the bottom of the inning, though, when a two-out walk to Wilver Perez followed by a base hit from Matt Kavanaugh along with a wild pitch from Ayala evened the score.
Victoria then grabbed the lead when Jamar Hill drove in Kavanaugh with an RBI ground rule double, before Josh Arhart made it back-to-back extra base hits and extended the Victoria lead to 3-1.
With Trolia and Flyers reliever Armando Carrasco going toe-to-toe into the eighth, both pitchers picked up key outs in key situations. After a run from Kavanaugh was taken away when it was ruled the designated hitter did not tag up on third before scoring on a Brian Rios sacrifice fly, the Seals squandered a bases loaded, no-out opportunity in the bottom of the fifth. One half-inning later, Trolia pitched his way out of a bases-loaded situation for the Flyers when he struck out Travis Becktel and then forced Jim Goethals into an inning-ending ground out, preserving a two-run Seals lead.
As Anthony Pluta took things over on the mound for Victoria, the right-hander ran into trouble in the top half of the ninth inning. After a lead-off double from Ben Johnson brought the tying run to home plate, a single from Steve Boggs combined with an error to Victoria centre fielder Billy Krause pulled the visitors within one and left the tie 90 feet away. Two batters later, a sacrifice fly courtesy of Nick Guerra deadlocked the game once more, a 3-3 tie headed to the bottom of the ninth.
Pouncing on Flyers reliever Mike Koons, Victoria rebounded with a single from Perez, a walk to Kavanaugh and another base hit from Jamar Hill to fill the bases with just one out. With clean-up batter Josh Arhart at home plate, a high bouncing ball that Orange County third basemen Scott Spiezio lost in the lights proved to be the difference, scoring Perez from third to hand the Seals a 4-3 walk-off win.
Aaron Trolia was excellent, despite the no decision, as closer Javier Garcia earns his third win on the year for the Seals while Mike Koons falls to 1-2 with the loss. Matt Kavanaugh, Jamar Hill and Josh Arhart all posted 2-for-4 outings for Victoria, while also notching four RBI's between them.
The final game of this three-game set against the Orange County Flyers goes tomorrow night, a 7:05 p.m. start time at Royal Athletic Park. Victoria will then play host to their final home series of the season when the Calgary Vipers come to down, highlighted by Saturday's Fan Appreciation Night. Don't forget to cash in your mini-pack tickets, or get your seats online now at www.selectyourtickets.com or over the phone via (250) 220-7777.
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Golden Baseball League Stories from August 20, 2009
- Viper Error Wins Game for Caps - Edmonton Capitals
- Captials Avoid Sweep with Late Rally - Calgary Vipers
- Seals surrender late lead, but walk-off with 4-3 victory - Victoria Seals
- Davis Goes Eight Innings For First Place Toros In 6-3 Win - Tucson Toros
- Caps Drop a Close One - Edmonton Capitals
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