9-News: 37.050 – YS9 Steals Surfer Series

[RonCo]

Osaragi Notches 6th Win


Veteran hurler Hiroyasu Osaragi wasn’t particularly over-powering, but he was effective enough to spread four hits and four walks over his five inning in such a way to allow only two runs.

He was helped along by the running game—on both sides of the game. Catcher Aaron Stone threw out Surfer Carl von Meister at second base to end the second inning. In the top of the third, Mauro Saucedo clubbed a solo homer, but was a Miguel Padilla single. Padilla stole second and went to third on a throwing error—then scored two pitches later when Jorge Rodriguez hit a ground ball up the middle. J-Rod then stole both second and third before scoring on Andy Mcinney’s ground out to second base.

The activity left the Nine with a 3-0 lead—a lead they would never relinquish.

McKinney would double a few innings later (his 27th of the season) to score another run. The final score was 5-2.

“We’re not really run-happy,” said manager Bret Richards, “but it’s nice to have some guys who can put some pressure on the defense. We have to make runs where we can.”

The victory means the Nine leave Long Beach with two wins in three games. It’s their third straight series victory (having taken two of three from Omaha and Edmonton recently), and the fifth if their last six (Des Moines beat the Nine two of three, but the teamswept four in Hawaii, and bested Vancouver two of three). It may well be too late, but momentum seems to be building.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” said manager Bret Richards, “but we’re not dead yet.”