A’s @ Snowbirds
Andrew Miller kept the A’s off balance all day, allowing just four hits while recording nine strikeouts en route to earning the complete game win in the Snowbirds 10-2 victory over the A’s at Palm Springs Stadium.
With runners on first and third and a run already in for the Snowbirds against James Shoemaker of the A’s, Todd Alls turned the bottom of the first into a rally with a two-run double that scored Jesse Brown and Chris Hartery, giving the ‘Birds a 3-0 lead.
The Snowbirds rallied again in the bottom of the second. Mark Morocco started the scoring with a bunt single. A walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases and Jesse Brown cleared the bases with a three-run double that upped the lead to 6-0. Chris Hartery drove in Brown with a single and Tobi Adeyemi came home on wild pitch and the rout was on at 8-0.
Both teams failed to crack the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth against Shoemaker. With two runners on Jeff Ridgeway knocked in Adeyemi with a double and three batters later Marcus Dennistoun picked up an RBI with a walk to cap the scoring for the Snowbirds at 10-0.
The A’s avoided the shutout in the top of the seventh against Miller, who through six innings had allowed just three hits. Brian Bistagne walked to begin the inning. With one out Michael Wallace hit into fielder’s choice that moved Bistagne to third. Hank Burditt then knocked in both Bistagne and Wallace to make it 10-2.
Snowbirds firstbaseman Jesse Brown finished the day three for four with two singles, a double and four runs driven in. Miller earned his third win of the season.
Bluesox @ Chill
Vinny St. John retired the first six batters he faced on his way to five shutout innings and the win for the Chill in the 3-2 victory over the Bluesox in the afternoon match-up at Palm Springs Stadium.
Jeremy Hall matched the six up, six down effort put up by St. John for the Bluesox through the first two innings, striking out five.
In the bottom of the third against Hall the Chill finally broke through. Keith Kandel began the inning with the first Chill hit.. With one out and Kandel on second base, Relly Mercurio knocked Kandel in with a single.
After a scoreless top of the fourth for St. John, the Chill extended their lead in the bottom half. A walk and a single put two runners on for Christopher Caves. Caves unloaded with a double to center and both Tommy Williams and Derrick Pyles easily scored to push the Chill lead to 3-0.
In the top of the seventh with the Chill still leading 3-0 the Bluesox began their comeback. With Chris Treibt now in the game after the five shutout innings by St. John, Cody Rieger singled. Trace Klein then walked. With one out Scott Stidham singled home Rieger and cut the lead to 3-1 Chill. Landis Wilson brought the Bluesox a run closer with an RBI fielder’s choice and a Dillon Tindall single spelled the end of the relief appearance for Triebt. Max Whieldon came in with the bases loades and got Brett Fick to fly out to pick up his third save of the season and close out the 3-2 Chill victory for St. John.
In his hard-luck loss, Jeremy Hall pitched six innings, allowing five hits, three runs and adding 11 strikeouts. St. John was sharp in earning his first win of the season, throwing five innings, giving up one hit, no runs and striking out seven.
