Surf overcome suspect defense

July 10, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Atlantic City Surf News Release


Ottawa, ON- The Atlantic City Surf used a seven-run fourth inning and overcame four errors to hold on and beat the Ottawa Rapidz 10-8 Thursday Night before 1459 fans at Rapidz Stadium.

The two teams played to a 2-2 tie through three innings before the Surf offense exploded in the top of the fourth. Surf catcher William Plaza started it off with a single off Ottawa starter Frasier Robinson. Joe Burke followed with a double to move Plaza to third. After a Gil Zayas walk, AC first baseman Eddie Kim grounded into a 3-2 fielder's choice for the first out of the inning. Josh Burrus got the scoring going with a sacrifice fly that plated Burke. Surf center fielder Billy Kovatch cleared the bases with a 2-run double to score Kim and Zayas. Anthony Granato doubled to bring Kovatch home. Brad Thoma would single and Clyde Williams drilled a two-run homer over the right field wall. The end result was a seven-run, six hit fourth innings. All but one of the runs came with two outs.

The lefty Robinson (2-4) lasted just three and two thirds innings for Ottawa, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 10 hits with one walk and two strikeouts to take the loss.

Atlantic City starter J.C. Huguet (6-1) would toss five innings, giving up six runs (four earned) to go along with two walks to earn the win.

It didn't look good for Huguet in the bottom of the fourth though. Ottawa picked up four runs (two earned) and pulled to within 9-6. A Jose De Los Santos double capped the big innings for the Rapidz.

Neither team would score again until the bottom of the seventh inning. With Atlantic City's Aaron Easton on in relief, Ottawa picked up two more runs (both unearned) courtesy of a throwing error on catcher William Plaza and another mishap by Zayas at third. Kyle George relieved Easton and got Juan Infante to foul out to Plaza to end the threat at 9-8.

The Surf would tack on an insurance run in the ninth when Brad Thoma scored on a wild pitch from Ottawa's Angelo Burrows.

Walker Whitley came on in the ninth and after an error on Zayas got Nate Hall to ground into a 4-6-3 double play. Ottawa right fielder Greg Dumouchel grounded out to Granato to end the game. It was Whitley's fourth save of the season.

Williams paced the Surf offense, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Anthony Granato broke out of a 2-for-24 slump with a pair of doubles and an RBI to finish the night 2-for-5 and Billy Kovatch chipped in with two hits and a pair of RBIs as well.

Jose De Los Santos led the Ottawa offense with a 4-for-5 night and two RBIs.

The Surf (23-22) have just two games remaining in the first half of the 2008 Can-Am League season and play game three of their four game series against the Rapidz Friday night from Rapidz Stadium. Adam Cox (4-2) takes the rubber for Atlantic City. First pitch is 7:05.



Canadian American League Stories from July 10, 2008


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