Photo Caption: McCarthy Tatum doubles off the wall in left to open the bottom of the 9th inning against the San Leandro Ports, with the score tied at 2-2. (Photo: Matt Filar)
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
ARCATA — The Humboldt Crabs seized a 3-2 victory in dramatic walk-off fashion in the 9th inning at the Arcata Ball Park on Tuesday night in front of 590 fans. A walk-off fielder's choice at the end of the game was the undoing of the Ports.
The game was tied at two with Humboldt Crabs batting in the bottom of the ninth with one out when Tyler Holt induced Bronson Grubbs to hit into a fielder's choice. Grubbs beat the throw to fist base with his speed to avoid the double play. Crabs infielder Chase Larsen scored the winning run on the play.
The Crabs were looking at a possible shut out by the Ports as the Crabs didn’t score a run until a late 8th inning rally, where they score two to tie the game. The Crabs were aided by two fielding errors by the Ports. A change of strategy to play small ball in the 8th by the Crabs as well as some excellent bunting by Kokko Figueiredo and Bronson Grubbs turned the tide for Humboldt.
The pitching was strong on both sides. UC Davis left hander Chris Brown started the game for Humboldt Crabs. He allowed eight hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out four and walking one. Armando Gomes started the game for San Leandro Ports. He surrendered zero runs on two hits over seven innings, striking out four. The Crabs pitchers combined struck out five, while San Leandro Ports pitchers sat down six.
San Leandro Ports got on the board first in the second inning, when RJ Mcdowell grounded out, scoring one run. They scored their second run in the 4th inning as the Crabs struggled to fire up their offense as they usually do in the 7th inning.
The Crabs evened things up at two in the bottom of the eighth inning after an Ports error on a Grubbs bunt allowed Crabs short stop Chiagi Canto to score. The second run came after a Connor Blair sac fly scored Kellen Strahm who had singled.
Relief pitcher Alexander Trautner was credited with the victory for Humboldt Crabs. He lasted two innings, allowing four hits and zero runs while striking out one and walking zero.
Holt took the loss for San Leandro Ports. He allowed zero hits and zero runs over two-thirds of an inning, striking out one.
The Crabs only mustered a total of 5 hits in the game next to the Ports 12 hits.
Kellen Strahm and Chase Larsen all managed multiple hits for the Crabs. Larsen and Strahm all had two hits to lead Humboldt. Humboldt didn't commit a single error in the field. Wesley Ghan-Gibson had the most chances in the field with ten.
San Leandro Ports racked up 12 hits. Carlos Solis, Falcon Magana, Mcdowell, and Isaq Lewis each racked up multiple hits for Ports. Solis went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Ports in hits.
Game two is tonight at 7pm, gates open at 6pm. The World Famous Crab Gras Band will be in attendance.
2018 Special Events and Promotions Coming Up
– 1950s Night requested by Crabs Queens Tamara and Val: Fri, July 13
– Crabs Hall of Fame Induction & Fireworks Night: Sat, July 14
– Tie Dye Sunday: Sun, July 15 sponsored by Humbrews. Koozies, Tie Dye shirts, and coupons.
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