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Silverman blasts walk-off HR in 11th to sink Armada

August 2, 2009 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Long Beach Armada News Release


CHICO, Calif. (August 2, 2009) - Chico catcher Bryan Silverman took the first pitch he saw from reliever Rusty Jones over the right field wall for a two-run walk-off homerun to beat Long Beach, 5-3, in 11 innings at Nettleton Stadium on Sunday.

Jones (1-2) had pitched 2 2/3 spotless innings of relief with three strikeouts before surrendering a single to Jason Crosland and the game-winning shot to Silverman.

Armada starter Scott Lonergan went 6 1/3 innings pitching, giving up one runs off four hits while striking out four and walking four. He did not receive a decision but continued the trend of effective starting pitching the Armada has seen in each of the last five games.

The Armada struck in the fifth inning to break a scoreless ballgame. Catcher David Ramirez led off with a walk, and after a Josh Womack sac bunt, Jonny Kaplan doubled to cash Ramirez for a 1-0 led. Brandon Howard then reach based on an error by shortstop Dale Swinford that allowed Kaplan to score for a 2-0 Armada lead.

Long Beach missed an opportunity in the top of the third. Dan Luyben singled and advanced to second base on a double by Omar Bramasco. Luyben tagged from third on a pop out by Steve Moss but was thrown out at the plate by centerfielder Rich Janeway. Luyben was quickly ejected for protesting the call at the plate. Luyben, who was traded to the Armada from the Outlaws for reliever Ryne Tacker just a week ago, went 2-for-2 before being ejected.

Lonergan did not surrender a hit until the fourth inning, but a double play from Omar Bramasco to Daryl Jones helped keep the Outlaws scoreless in the frame. The starting pitcher once again got into a jam in the sixth inning, with runners on first and second with one out, but another double play - Howard to Bramasco to Jones - ended the inning to keep the Armada ahead, 2-0.

The Outlaws tied the game, 2-2, in the seventh when Blake Gailen hit a two-run homerun off reliever Scott Watson.

Josh Womack came through with an RBI single and David Ramirez scored from second base to break a tied ballgame in the eighth inning. Ramirez just beat the throw from right field for a 3-2 Armada lead. Chico returned the favor in the bottom of the eighth inning. Sean Buller gave up a singled to Rich Janeway, who advanced to third on a double by Shane Cronin. Janeway scored on a wild pitch from Buller - his first of the season - to tie the game, 3-3.

Outlaws starter Wayne Franklin shut out the Armada through the first four innings, but finished the game giving up two runs, one earned, and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Franklin walked one and struck out two on the evening before being replaced by Ben Shockey.

This series in Chico was only the second series all season long in which the Armada did not have either of its former Major League pitchers - Jose Lima or Hideki Irabu - make a start.

Long Beach has the day off on Monday before returning to action with a three game series on the road against the rival Orange County Flyers. The first game of the series will be Tuesday, August 4 at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo at 7:05pm. Wednesday and Thursday's games will be played at Goodwin Field in Fullerton.

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