The Dirtbags did about everything they could to lose last night. Five errors and double digit strike outs, just to name a two. But in what turned out to be a wild game that went deep into the night (and February cold) there were a lot of positives as well. Mainly, this team can slap the ball around with the best of them (25 hits in last two games) and they’ve shown a veteran like patience at the plate (13 BB in two games).
Want to go inning by inning? Perfect, because here is my LIVE BLOG and Stacy’s pictures from last night’s game…
Top 1st
To everybody’s surprise, including the PA man, it’s Tyler Topp on the mound instead of Jake Thompson. Last Saturday, Thompson made his season debut with seven strong, so I’ll do some asking around and get back to you on what’s up
with Jake. Topp gives up a single through the hole to Jeff Kobemus, and the second baseman takes second on a past ball, but a ground out to Derek Legg ends the inning.
Bot 1st
Cal starter Kevin Miller is having trouble locating his pitches, and the plate. Home plate umpire Ron Ridd’s small strike zone isn’t helping, and Miller walks Tre Dennis and Jordan Casas. Jonathan Jones lines out to Kobemus and he doubles up Dennis at second, but Devin Lohman bloops a single that puts Casas on third. Taylor Krick watches Miller continue to struggle for the third walk of the inning to load the bags. Legg continues the patient approach and takes the walk for the RBI. John Hill grounds out to end the inning. 1-0 Dirtbags
Top 2nd
Topp keeps throwing strikes, and it comes back to bite him when Mark Canha sends one deep into the night about 400 ft over the 387 mark in left center. 1-1 Also, according the the press box rumbling, Jake Thompson is just sick. It’s not decided yet if he’ll sit out the entire weekend.
Bot 2nd
The Dirtbag hitters jump right back on Miller with a single from TJ Mittelstaedt and a HBP on Dennis. After Casas fouls out, TJ and Dennis get caught in a pickle on a double steal. But Tre shows off his speed to beat the throw back to first, and on the next pitch, JJ puts down a swinging bunt. Third baseman Mike Brady waits for the ball to roll wide of the chalk but Ridd calls it a fair ball. If two breaks weren’t enough, the Dirtbags got a third when Lohman popped one sky high. First baseman Canha does the one two step with his face to the sky, but couldn’t even get a glove on it. 3-1 Dirtbags
Top 3rd
Brett Jackson leads off the frame with a double to the gap, takes third on a fly out, and scores on an error by Sandoval. The run kinda gets to Topp, who hits a guy and falls behind consecutive hitters. He gets out of the inning with a pickle. Gotta love a good pickle, and we’ve had two tonight, with the Dirtbags coming out on top of both. 3-2 LB
Bot 3rd
After two quick outs, a walk and another HBP sends Miller to the showers and brings Yasser Clor in from the dugout. He promptly gives up an RBI single to Dennis. 4-2 Dirtbags
Top 4th
Three singles and an error scores a run for the Bears and chases Topp. He continued to pound the strike zone, and Cal made him pay on the third trip through the lineup. Jason Markovitz comes in and gives up a single for a second run. 4-4
Bot 4th
True Dirtbag baseball gets things going when JJ walks, steals second, and Lohman drives him in with a double to the right field wall. Lohman advanced to third on a sacrifice, and with Legg up, Weathers calls for the suicide squeeze. but Legg misses the bunt attempt and Devin gets caught in the third pickle of the night. And wouldn’t you know it, the third throw bounces off Lohman’s back and he scores. That’s three run downs tonight, and that’s three Dirtbag victories. It’s the battles people, the battles. 6-4 But the ‘Bags weren’t done there. Out of the bullpen, Chris Petrini puts Hill and Sandoval on with the third HBP of the night and the seventh walk of the night. With two outs, TJ plops a double inches away from the right field foul line that scores two. 8-4 Dirtbags
Top 5th
Anthony Carrillo comes in for Markovitz after a single, and gives up a second base hit. A sacrifice hit gets a run over, but coming in with two on and no outs, Carrillo does his job. Okay, so I haven’t mentioned it yet, but we are 2 1/2 hours into this one and only about half way done. Four pitching changes, 18 hits, and 13 runs will do that. Anyone know the record for longest game at Blair? 8-5 LB
Bot 5th
Casas lead off and gets on, steals second and third, but the ‘Bags can’t get him over. Jordan isn’t the fastest 49er, but I love that he always draws a throw, and steals with his head and without remorse.
Top 6th
The Bears worked hard against Carrillo, but the third error of the night for LBSU forces David Brown in from the pen. Kobemus battles and smashes one into the corner for a 2-run double. Three runs in the inning, and this game may never end… 8-8
Bot 6th
Petrini has really settled in and is showcasing his sneaky fastball. Dirtbags go 1-2-3.
Top 7th
Sergio Acuna takes over on the bump as the fifth Dirtbag pitcher and sets ’em down 1-2-3. My question is: where was this in the fourth inning? Still 8-8
Bot 7th
You thought the top of the inning went fast, you should see Petrini working right now. After the ‘Bags scored in each inning, they haven’t scored since Petrini’s come in. He’s now mixing in a very effective change up with that sneaky heater, and this inning he’s looked un hittable.
Top 8th
Senior reliever David Born pitched a hell of an inning after giving up a lead off single. He stayed in front of hitters, and with a man on third, got Smith to fly out to Legg. 8-8
Bot 8th
Lohman wears one to get on, but two foul outs brings up Legg. He singles and Lohman goes to third, but catcher Kellen Hoime strikes out swinging at the high cheese. It’s getting really cold out here, and I’m not sure if the fans are cheering for a win as much as they are excited at the possibility of going home.
Top 9th
Dustin Rasco came into the ninth to get the ‘Bags into their half of the inning, but a single and the fourth error of the night put two on. The Dirty Rascal struck out Brady with a nasty pitch in the dirt, but two more misplayed grounders and a single netted the Bears three runs. 11-8 Cal
Bot 9th
Freshman closer Erik Johnson comes in throwing gas. TJ and pinch hitter Matt Avery sat on the heat and each singled, but Johnson struck out ph Trevor Blood and got JJ to ground out to end the game.
FINAL 11-8 Cal
Box Score
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