Van Slyke Tosses 5-Hitter in Duel with White
Published on July 29, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
St. George RoadRunners News Release
CHICO, CALIFORNIA - A great pitcher's duel between St. George starter Eric Van Slyke and Chico's Evan White ended the way a classic game should - a 1-0 final score. St. George plated an early run and held on the rest of the way to pick up the series opener at Nettleton Stadium over the Outlaws.
The RoadRunners improve to a season-best 14 games above .500 (33-19) and take sole possession of the Southern Division 2nd-half lead by one-half game over the idle Orange County Flyers. The Outlaws dropped to 4-8, 23-27 overall. St. George also increased their winning streak over Chico this season to four and five over the last two years.
Van Slyke, using a great mix of his fastball and varied breaking balls, went the distance allowing five hits and striking out six. Tuesday's effort was his fifth complete game of the season improving to 2-3 in those endeavors (5-5 record in 2009).
The game's only run came in the opening half inning. Ryan Stevenson doubled to the wall in right field with one out. After a lineout, Jose Rodriguez swung at the first pitch and blooped an RBI single to right-center.
Chico could not capitalize on their best scoring chance with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. Norm Hutchins and Bryan Silverman walked while Ryan Brown reached on an error. Former Astros farmhand Jonny Ash stepped to the plate but gave Eric Pringle a tailor-made grounder to turn two and end the Outlaw threat.
Evan White gave up just one run in 8.1 innings, but receives the hard-luck loss (4-5).
St. George totaled nine hits on the night with Rodriguez and Henry Calderon each tallying two. No Chico batter had more than one hit while the club finished with five in total.
Game two of the series is Wednesday from the Nett. The probable starters are David Seccombe for St. George and Wayne Franklin for Chico. Seccombe (6-2, 4.43) makes his first start since throwing a two-hit shutout at Long Beach on July 23. Franklin (1-2, 4.43) is a former big leaguer with Houston, Milwaukee, San Francisco, New York (AL) and Atlanta. He is coming off a win on the 23rd going 6.2 innings in Orange County. First pitch is 8:05pm Mountain.
Live audio action begins at 7:50pm with the RoadRunners Pre-Game Show.
Golden Baseball League Stories from July 29, 2009
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- Outlaws Plan World's Largest Toga Party - Chico Outlaws
- Outlaws Sign Two Free Agents - Chico Outlaws
- Get Your Costumes Ready for Halloween Night - Chico Outlaws
- Van Slyke Tosses 5-Hitter in Duel with White - St. George RoadRunners
- Seals Clipped By The Capitals - Victoria Seals
- Toros Turn Calgary's Power Off - Tucson Toros
- Offense Held to Three Hits - Calgary Vipers
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