NAmL San Rafael Pacifics

Seven Errors Spoil Grand-Slam Comeback for Pacifics

Published on July 6, 2013 under North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release


SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The San Rafael Pacifics committed seven errors and gave up 16 hits in a frustrating 11-6 loss to Na Koa Ikaika Maui on Friday night at Albert Park. The loss was the Pacifics' second in as many days and trimmed the team's first-place lead to a game and a half in the Pacific Association standings.

Maui jumped out to an early lead in the first on Brandon Gregorich's sacrifice fly to center field. Then, in the second inning, Pacifics third baseman Kyle Dhanani (3 for 5, one run, one RBI) saved a double down the line with an incredible backhanded pick but Darrick Hale was charged with one of the Pacifics' seven errors at first after being unable to come up with the pick. Later in the inning, starter Kyle DeVore (4-2) fielded a comebacker but chose to chase Maui first baseman Ray Serrano back to the bag at second rather than make the easy toss to first. His throw went wide of the bag at second and put runners at first and second with no outs. An Angus Roger hit through the left side past a diving Dhanani loaded the bases, then a Jimmy Rohan hit in the exact same spot scored Serrano to make it 2-0. Second baseman Kalaika Kahoohalahala's sacrifice fly to left field scored catcher Nick Valdez to put the Pacifics in an early 3-0 hole.

After second baseman Price Kendall scored on a Kyle Dhanani single to center field in the bottom of the fifth inning, left fielder Chase Fontaine's walk to load the bases brought up shortstop Danny Gonzalez (2 for 4, one run, 4 RBI). With two outs, the San Rafael shortstop battled for six pitches before driving the seventh over the left field fence for a grand slam to grab the lead, 5-4.

The Pacifics' lead was short-lived though, and miscues quickly gave way to frustration. After Maui took the lead in the sixth with a four-run inning that included a pair of infield errors, Kendall was ejected in the bottom half of the inning for arguing balls and strikes.

Things didn't get better for the Pacifics after their early struggles. Maui added two runs in the seventh and another in the eighth.

DeVore settled down in the third and struck out three consecutive Maui batters after a pair of runners with no outs. DeVore departed after five innings and struck out six. He was charged with seven runs on nine hits. Relievers Dan Rogers, AJ Gallardo, and Nate King combined to finish the last four innings but all three allowed at least a run.

To the team's credit, San Rafael didn't stop fighting. In the eight inning, Steve Detwiler, who entered after Kendall's ejection, drove a ball to the warning track. Defensively, Fontaine kept a run from the scoring in the ninth with a nice diving catch. Fontaine drove in Darrick Hale in the bottom of the ninth.

On Saturday, July 6, Japanese native Eri Yoshida, the first female to play professional baseball in two countries, will take the mound for Maui. All females are encouraged to come watch this inspirational woman pitch with $5 general admission tickets offered to all women on gameday at the Guarantee Mortgage ticket booth at Albert Park. Tickets are available at www.pacificsbaseball.com.

Check out the San Rafael Pacifics Statistics

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North American League Stories from July 6, 2013


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