CalL1 Inland Empire 66ers

Sexton the Stopper Again in 3-1 Win

Published on July 30, 2009 under California League (CalL1)
Inland Empire 66ers News Release


LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - Tim Sexton pitched an eight-inning gem and the 66ers mustered enough offense to earn a 3-1 win over the Storm Wednesday night, ending a four-game losing streak.

Sexton (7-9) retied 21 of the last 22 batters he faced, including the final nine, as he matched his longest outing of the season. The righthander allowed 1 run on 4 hits and no walks while fanning 4 in his 8 innings of work to lower his ERA to 3.15.

Felix Carrasco led off the second with a double. After Keoni Ruth singled, Danny Payne brought in Carrasco with a sacrifice fly to give the Storm a 1-0 lead. Sexton buckled down though, striking out Angel Mercado and Luis Martinez to limit the damage.

The 66ers (48-56) tied the game in the fourth. Preston Mattingly led off with a double to the warning track in left off Storm starter Aaron Breit. Two batters later, Garett Green singled home Mattingly to tie it up.

Breit was overpowering at times, striking out the side in the first and second innings and reaching eight strikeouts through three innings. The righthander struck out 10 in five innings to match a season-high after fanning 10 Sixers on July 8. Breit walked five though and was removed after five innings due to a pitch count.

With Allen Harrington on for Breit in the sixth, Mattingly drew a leadoff walk. After Jaime Ortiz was hit by a pitch, Green advanced the runners with a bunt.

Next, Jessie Mier hit a medium-deep fly ball to center and Mattingly bluffed tagging up. The throw from center went to the plate, but Ortiz was halfway to third after tagging up. Martinez threw back to second to complete an inning-ending double play but Ortiz eluded Ruth's tag at second as Mattingly came home to make it 2-1 66ers. The 2-1 advantage marked the first 66ers lead since Friday's 4-3 win at Rancho Cucamonga.

After the 66ers added a run in the ninth, Joe Torres came on for the ninth. Torres walked Beamer Weems and allowed a single to James Darnell. With the winning run at the plate, Torres coaxed a pop up, struck out Carrasco and induced a game-ending groundout.

The series concludes at 7:05 p.m. Thursday with RHP Chris Withrow (6-6, 4.75) on the bump for the 66ers while RHP Anthony Bass (0-0, 2.25) takes the hill for the Storm. The Sixers return home for Toyota of Redlands 50-cent Friday. Fans can puurchase $2 lawn seats, 50-cent hot dogs and quesadillas as well as $2.50 beer and soda. For tickets, visit www.66ers.com or stop by the 66ers box office at 280 South E Street in San Bernardino. For any questions or more information, give the 66ers a call at (909) 888-9922.

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California League Stories from July 30, 2009


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