Surf Dawgs blow big lead, hold on for win
Published on August 1, 2006 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
San Diego Surf Dawgs News Release
The Surf Dawgs were coasting with a 7-0 lead going into the eighth when things became too close for comfort. A six-run ninth by the Reno Silver Sox, capped off by a grand slam by Masashi Chikazawa, tied a game that looked over after six runs in four innings. But San Diego did not waver in confidence, sealing an 8-7 victory by loading the bases with one out, and getting a clutch sacrifice fly by Matt Maloney.
The scoring began in the bottom of the first when, with one out, Tony Garcia and Adam Mandel singled. Catcher Joey Huskins came through with a two-out, two run double. The onslaught continued when Garcia, who went 3-for-5, doubled to begin the third. He came around on a Mandel single. After a single by Huskins with one out, Maloney brought home Mandel to stretch the lead to 4-0. The big blow came in the fourth when with one on and one out, Seth Pietsch hit his fifth home run on the season.
The lead would stretch to a 7-0 margin in the seventh when, with two outs, Scott Goodman was hit by a pitch. He moved to second on a Huskins single, and came around to score on a Maloney double.
Chris Gale was the unsung hero of the evening. He was brilliant, going seven innings, giving up six hits and a walk while striking out three. When he gave way to the bullpen, he looked like he would pick up a victory but alas he was strapped with a hard luck no decision. Joe Safken would come in and give up one run when he got himself into trouble by walking two batters.
The ninth inning was a bizarre turn of events. After getting the first out, Ryan Fox drilled Carlos Madrid with a pitch. He seemed to lose his edge, giving up a double, single, and walk to bring in Madrid. With two on, a ground ball went to Jeremy McCann, who couldn't field it properly, which would have been the second out. Instead, the bases were loaded; the tying run was strolling to the plate, and the ensuing strike out only lead to the second out. Up stepped Chikazawa who hit the first pitch over the left center field wall to tie the game at 7. After a walk, manager Terry Kennedy went to the bullpen for a quickly warmed up Brent Pourciau. Pourciau escaped the inning, and would eventually be the winning pitcher of the evening (3-3).
A strange decision by Silver Sox manager Les Lancaster included two intentional walks to setup a bases loaded situation for Matt Maloney. Maloney would hit one deep into the gap, and centerfielder Steve Booker did not attempt a concerted throw home sending the Surf Dawgs fans into a frenzy and letting the players escape the evening with a 8-7 victory.
The Surf Dawgs and Silver Sox are back at it tomorrow evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PT with Justin Ottman (3-4) going against Jared Bonnell (3-1). The Principal Family Fun Fest will also be taking place at the stadium so it should be a great event for kids and grown ups alike.
Golden Baseball League Stories from August 1, 2006
- Outlaws blank Armada 4-0 in series opener - Chico Outlaws
- Golden Baseball League Announces New Official Bases - GBL
- Fullerton Flyers to Host Mascot Olympics on Saturday - Orange County Flyers
- Surf Dawgs blow big lead, hold on for win - San Diego Surf Dawgs
- Flyers offer ticket deal - Orange County Flyers
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