Kevin Wyart
Humboldt Crabs Baseball
June 11, 2016
ARCATA, CA—The Crabs looked like they were on their way to their third win in a row, taking a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning, but were unable to hold it as they fell to the California Expos 3-2 Saturday Night at the Arcata Ballpark.
The Expos proved to be a very patient team all the way to the end, scoring two runs in the ninth inning on two hits and an error after struggling to generate much offense for much of the game, getting one run on five hits through the first eight innings.
With the Crabs ahead 2-1, the Expos started the ninth with a Matty Nunez single, then was moved to second with a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Turney. Tristan Alvarez then reached on an error by right fielder Logan Busch, making it to second and sending Nunez to third.
With two runners in scoring position and two out, Expos catcher Alan Crowley knocked through a single to score Nunez and Alvarez to give them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The Expos scored the first run of the game in the top of the first. With runners at first and third with one out, Angel Flores, hit a groundball to second, but the Crabs couldn’t complete the double play, allowing Conly Biglione to cross the plate.
The Crabs (4-3) would respond in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Austin White singled, stole second, and made it to third on James Outman’s base hit. Newt Johnson then hit a ball deep enough to right field for White to tag up and score.
After Jayson Newman walked, Logan Denholm hit a groundball deep in the hole at short, and the ball was thrown wide by Tristen Alvarez. Denholm would have beaten it out anyway, and Outman would have scored accordingly, so Denholm gets credit for a hit and an RBI, along with the error charged to Alvarez. The Crabs would leave runners on first and second to end the inning and the Crabs would settle for their two runs.
Aaron Herr went four innings for the Crabs, allowing an earned run on three hits and four walks with no strikeouts. Reed Pfannenstein pitched three innings allowing only two hits while striking out two. Austin Ragsdale threw a scoreless eighth inning and Jacob Gomez pitched the ninth getting charged with two unearned runs on two hits, picking up the tough loss.
Josh Acosta picked up the win for the Expos, finishing the game by pitching three scoreless innings, allowing no hits, while walking four and striking out six. Expos starter Connor Brogdon went six innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts.
The Crabs and Expos will conclude their three game series with the rubber match on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30pm, with the gates open at 11:30am. As with every Sunday home game, kids are invited to run the bases and high-five the Crabs players after the game.
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