AtL Sugar Land Space Cowboys

Skeeters Win in Final At-Bat Again

Published on May 28, 2012 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Sugar Land Space Cowboys News Release


SUGAR LAND, Texas - Player-coach Vic Gutierrez drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (14-17) to secure the Sugar Land Skeeters (15-15) their second walk-off win in as many nights at Constellation Field on Memorial Day in front of 6697 fans Monday night.

Skeeters ace Matt Wright made his seventh start of the season trying to win his third game in as many outings. The visiting Blue Crabs scored first though but not until the fourth. Designated-hitter Brian Barton walked with one out to put one on for catcher Richard Mercado two batters later. With two outs in the inning, Mercado smashed a Wright fastball into the picnic area to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

Again in the sixth, the Blue Crabs tacked on one more run off a two-out RBI-double from third baseman Matt Padget to increase the lead, 3-0.

The Skeeters answered in the bottom half of the same inning though. Jason Botts started the rally with a double down the line and advanced to third on a sharp single to the first baseman from Ofilio Castro. With runners on the corners and only one out, the Skeeters first baseman Josh Pressley tattooed a ball deep to left center field. Many considered the ball gone based off his hit from the previous night, but the ballpark held it, and left fielder Casey Benjamin made a spectacular leaping grab while crashing into the wall. Botts did score from first to put the Skeeters on the board, 3-1.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the eighth with reliever Michael Nix (1-3) coming in to pitch . The Blue Crabs got one run back after Barton singled with one out and stole second to put himself in scoring position. After a strikeout, Mercado lined a ball into right, but Botts misjudged the flight of the ball and dropped it allowing Barton to score and push the lead up to 4-1.

However, Blue Crabs closer Jim Ed Warden (1-4) has been spotty all season, and the Skeeters knew exactly how to handle late inning pressure trailing in the bottom of the ninth. Pressley led off the inning with a single into right, and Manny Mejia slammed a single the same direction on his first pitch to put two on. Newest signing and new starting center fielder Ryde Rodriguez guided a ball down the third base line forcing a diving save from Matt Padgett to keep it from sneaking into the outfield. Although he was able to keep the ball in front of him, Pressley reached third before he could make the tag. The bases were loaded for catcher Octavio Martinez with no outs. A line drive shot to the outfield on his first pitch plated two runs and gave Sugar Land a fighting chance at a comeback just one run down, 4-3. The Blue Crabs intentionally walked Drew Locke to load the bases, but for the second night in a row, a wild pitch forced in the tying run scoring Rodriguez from third, 4-4.

On a night calling for recognition of our nation's heroes fighting overseas and in wars past, the Skeeters and its fans called upon another of its most unlikely heroes on the field to come through in the clutch. Player-coach Vic Gutierrez came up to bat with two on and just one out in the inning and the game-winning run on third. After taking a ball on his first pitch and a strike on the next two, Gutierrez poked a ball out to center forcing a quick reaction from center fielder Jeremy Owens. The ball ducked just underneath his glove, even with the infield drawn in, allowing Martinez to score standing up to win the game, 5-4.

Skeeters Bites - The Skeeters are back to .500 for the first time since 5/4 (4-4)...Jason Botts extends his hitting streak to 9 games with a 3-4, (2)2B night...Dominic Ramos and Manny Mejia each extend their hitting streak to three games...Nothing beats a day out on the boat fishing or going up to the hunting cabin...except going to a baseball game! Especially one where the home team celebrates all outdoors sports. Join the Skeeters for "Outdoor Sports Night" at Constellation Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CDT tomorrow night in game two.

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