Palm Springs, CA-Feb 8, 2011-On a day featuring 32 total runs, the bullpens from each winning team combined to allow just three runs in nine innings of work.
The Canada A’s reclaimed first place in the CWL with an 8-5 win over the Palm Desert Coyotes in the second game Tuesday, while in game one the Coachella Valley Snowbirds pounded out 16 runs to beat the Palm Springs Chill 16-4 and stay out of last place.
Things started well for Palm Springs as they matched a two run Coachella first inning with a three run second inning of their own. Patrick Bumann and Alex Cowart each provided an RBI hit to give the Chill a one run lead. But the momentum did not last as the Snowbirds pitching clamped down and allowed just a single run over the next seven innings.
After starter Robbie Nelson worked through four innings and allowed just a single earned run, Tyler Breault started a chain of five scoreless innings out of the pen turning in two hitless innings to qualify for his second win of the year.
Offensively Shingo Ono had a big day for Coachella Valley with three hits, an RBI and a run scored as the Snowbirds moved to 5-6-1 on the season, dropping the Chill to 3-8-1.
Game two featured multi-run innings for both sides as the Coyotes tied the game at 2-2 and 5-5 but could never take a lead on Canada. After each club had a two run inning and a three run inning it remained deadlocked after seven.
The A’s made sure it did not stay tied long. After the first two runners reached in the eighth RBI singles from Garrett Smith and J.T. Putt gave Canada the lead for good. With another run of insurance in the top of the ninth on Brett Flowers’ 11th RBI of the season, Bryan Wilde cruised to his first win of the season. The Canada right hander closed out the final two and one-third innings and allowed just one hit while striking out three.
With the win the A’s jump back into first place at 8-4 and drop the Coyotes to second place with a record of 7-5.
All four teams in the California Winter League are in action again Wednesday. First the Chill take on the Coyotes at 10 a.m. followed by the A’s visiting the Snowbirds at 1 p.m. Come out and join us for both games at Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Road. Also follow the action online at www.californiawinterleague.com.
