Report by the Armada’s Josh Feldman
Ben Fox pitched a gem while Casey Garrison provided enough offense for the Armada to top the Edmonton Capitals, 5-3, on Wednesday at Telus Field. The Fleet improved to 3-4 on the year while Edmonton dropped to 4-3.
Ben Fox (1-) struck out seven batters while walking only two in 8.2 innings of work for his first win of the year. He gave up three earned runs and six hits. He picked up momentum late in the game, at one point retiring 11 straight batters from the fifth inning through the eighth.
The Armada got on the board first. Lead off man Josh Womack singled to start the game and advanced to third base on a single by Omar Bramasco. A Garrison double scored Womack, and Bramasco crossed the plate on a ground ball hit by Daryl Jones, giving the Armada a 2-0 lead.
Edmonton bounced back in the second inning. Jorge Cortes singled with two outs and came around to score on the double by Chad Ehrnsberger. A single by Max Poulin scored Ehrnsberger to tie the game, 2-2.
Garrison responded with a two-run homerun (2) in the top of the third inning to put the Fleet ahead, 4-2.
The most controversial play of the game came in the top of the eighth inning with two outs and the Armada leading 5-3. Daryl Jones singled to left field. Garrison tried to score on the play from second base, but the throw from left field beat him to the plate. Garrison plowed through catcher John Pasieka jolting the ball free and appearing to tumble onto the plate. Pasieka recovered from the collision and tagged Garrison with the ball as the Armada left-fielder was heading into the dugout. Home plate umpire Trevor Durie signaled an out, which set off manager Garry Templeton.
While the Armada was denied a sixth run, Ryne Tacker rendered the argument moot, shutting the door on the Capitals in the ninth inning to preserve the Armada win and earn his first save of the season.
Edmonton starter Justin Jordan (0-1) took the loss, pitching seven innings and giving up four runs off eight hits while striking out three and walking one.
Long Beach has the day off Thursday as the team travels to Victoria, British Columbia to take on former Armada skipper Darrell Evans and the expansion Victoria Seals in a three-game series beginning Friday. Projected Armada starters are Scott Lonergan, Keith Ramsey and Jamie Arneson. The first game begins at 7:05pm and the broadcast can be heard live through www.longbeacharmada.com with the pre-game show starting at 6:50pm.