Yuma evens series with 6-4 and 4-2 wins
July 25, 2010 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Victoria Seals News Release
Victoria, BC - The Victoria Seals continued their six-day homestand with a double-header against the Yuma Scorpions on Paint the Park Pink Night at Royal Athletic Park. Taking to the mound in game one for the Seals was Anthony Pluta (3-1), who matched up against Brian Oliver (0-0) for the Scorpions.
The visiting Scorpions took an early lead in the top of the first when a base hit from Eric Scriven, a walk to Eric Church, and a two run single from Jonel Pacheco put the visitors ahead 2-0. Yuma had the potential to widen their lead in that same frame, but Victoria catcher Josh Arhart threw out Pacheco at third base, and Mark Samuelson at second to keep the Scorpions in check.
Yuma doubled their advantage in the third frame while the bases were loaded, though, using a two run double to centre field from Samuelson for score a pair. Johny Celis extended the Scorpions lead to 5-0 on a RBI single off of Seals' reliever Chris Bodishbaugh, before Victoria would get on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the third thanks to a two run home run off the bat of Terrence McClain.
Adding insurance in the fifth inning, the visitors scored their sixth run of the evening on a throwing error committed by second baseman Dale Swinford who was trying to turn a double play to first. The throw-away allowed Samuelson to score from second. Yuma appeared to have added a seventh run on a RBI single from Franklin Lopez, however the run was called back when Victoria field manager Kip Gross notified home plate umpire Joe Maiden that Lopez and Walter Correa had been batting out of order for the entire contest thus keeping the score at 6-2 for the Scorpions.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Seals cut their opponent's lead to three when Colin Moro picked up a fielder's choice RBI off of Yuma reliever Andrew DeMott to bring home Arhart from third base. Victoria would make the game close in the final frame with Wilver Perez hitting a lead-off solo home run for his sixth long ball of the season.
Before the game finished the Seals made things interesting with players on first and second and Matt Edgecombe representing the winning run at the plate. The Victoria first baseman swung at the first pitch offered by DeMott, sending the ball sailing towards the left field wall where it was a caught at the warning track by Francisco Murillo. Yuma took game one of the double-header by a final score of 6-4.
Brian Oliver picked up his first win of the season going four solid innings, allowing five hits while striking out one. While Anthony Pluta registered the loss for Victoria, allowing five runs in two and one-third innings. Mark Samuelson powered the Scorpions offense going 4-for-4 with two RBI's, while Terrence McClain and Wilver Perez provided the scoring for the Seals in a losing effort with a two-run home run and solo home run respectively.
Coming right back to square off in game four of the series, the Seals and Scorpions renewed rivalries with the second-half of the double header. With Victoria sending Jason Kershner (5-4) to the mound, Yuma countered with Shelby Robertson (0-2) in the late game.
Once again it was the Scorpions grabbing the lead in the opening inning off the bat of Jonel Pacheco who hit an RBI single for the early 1-0 advantage. Doubling Yuma's lead to 2-0 was Peeter Ramos on an RBI groundout. The Seals had their chances when Wilver Perez completed his league-leading 46th stolen base, then advanced to third on catcher Bubba Garcia's throwing error. However Perez was caught in a rundown between third and home plate to prevent the home side from answering back.
Victoria rallied to even the game in the fourth frame after Matt Edgecombe hit a two-run, two out single to follow up hit-by-pitches to both Josh Arhart and Brian Rios which loaded the bases for the Seals' first baseman.
The contest would remain tied until the seventh and final inning, where a Gomez bunt and Edgecombe throwing error allowed pinch runner Walter Correa to give Yuma a 3-2 edge. The visiting side added a fourth run off a successful suicide squeeze by Eric Church to take a two-run lead into the bottom of the inning.
For the second straight game, Victoria found themselves in the final frame with two outs and the game-winning run at home plate. Tim Rodriguez grounded out to second base, to end the threat and give the Yuma Scorpions the 4-2 victory.
Jesus Gomez earned his first win of the season, while Aaron Easton recorded his fourth loss of the campaign despite four strikeouts on the mound. A pair of hits from catcher Bubba Garcia led the Scorpions to victory, while two RBI's from Matt Edgecombe was not enough for the Seals in game four.
Golden Baseball League Stories from July 25, 2010
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- Victoria Seals Slam the Scorpions - Victoria Seals
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- Yuma evens series with 6-4 and 4-2 wins - Victoria Seals
- James Garcia Dominant In Toros 13-1 Blowout - Tucson Toros
- Outlaws Surrender Four In The Eighth Frame; Lose 7-4 To Flyers - Chico Outlaws
- RoadRunners Gored by Toros' Pitching and Offense - St. George RoadRunners
- Flyers Kill Tombstone Promotion With Comeback Win - Orange County Flyers
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