Game 38 Recap: That Old Feeling
“I saw you last night and got that old feeling” - Frank Sinatra
The Ballers Lose Again 8-7 in Long Beach
By Roberto Santiago
Wednesday night’s game between the Long Beach Coast and Oakland Ballers had familiar faces, a familiar game script and a familiar result for Ballers fans. It was once again a tale of two cities, two units and two halves of the game as the B’s struggled to put together a complete performance, falling just short in their comeback attempt in an 8-7 loss.
You want it all, but you can’t have it
You’re welcome for the slightly updated music reference. The Ballers once again experienced the bifurcated nature of their pitching performances. Charlie Hurley (1-3) got the start and lasted just 4.2 innings while giving up eight runs. With the game tied 1-1, it was free passes and the long ball that hurt Hurley in a big third inning for the Coast. After a single by Eddy Pelc to lead off, Emilio Corona doubled to right field. Hurley, who leads the team with 10 HBPs, hit the next two Long Beach batters to send in a run. The Coast scored again on a fielder’s choice by Cuba Bess, who promptly stole second. That set the stage for a Jacob Jablonski three-run shot that gave Hurley his 10th home run surrendered this season, second on the team behind CJ Blowers (11). Hurley again hit a batter with one out in the fifth, followed by a dinger by Bess. Jablonski reached on an error and stole second ahead of Hurley hitting Dylan Lina on a 3-2 pitch, his fourth hit batsman of the night. With that, Hurley’s night was done. Oakland (16-22) has now given up 99 home runs this season, 24 more than the closest team. They are second in walks allowed.
As has often been the case this year, when the starter struggles, the bullpen locks in. Langston Burkett and Jacob Petersheim threw 3.2 scoreless innings to give the Ballers a chance. Not only did the duo hold the Coast off the board, they were perfect in their work, allowing zero Long Beach batters to reach base.
Ok, I’m going backward with the music, but you can’t go wrong with classic Beastie Boys. The Ballers’ offense was in a holding pattern early with just two runs in the first six innings. Those came courtesy of former Oakland hurler Nick Bautista, who got the start for Long Beach. Bausista went 4.2 innings before giving way to Jake Dixon (2-0) who went 0.2 innings for the win. Tremayne Cobb was once again in the middle of things for the B’s offense. Oakland’s shortstop hit a solo homer in the seventh to start the comeback bid. In the eighth, recent Ballers’ reliever Liam Rocha took over on the hill for Long Beach. In a welcoming and conciliatory gesture, Rocha served up a home run to former LB hitter, Paul Winland, who is making his first trip back to the Coast since joining the B’s. Submariner Steven Odorica replaced Rocha and induced a possible double play ball from Cobb. Instead, the Coast shortstop threw the ball into the dugout ending in a fielder’s choice for Cobb and a run on the board for Oakland. The B’s had runners on second and third with no outs, down by three, in the top of the ninth with the 5-6-7 hitters due up. Jeter Ybarra singled home a run and another scored on a wild pitch, but Brendan O’Sullivan struck out to end the threat and the Ballers’ hope for a win.
Odds & Ends
Yes, the Ballers have given up the most home runs, but they are also tied for hitting the most with Billings at 83.
Of the Ballers’ 99 home runs allowed, 70 have been surrendered at home.
Jeter Ybarra still leads the league in the long ball with 17. Tremayne Cobb has been stuck on 19 steals for the last 11 games and is now third in the league.
Roberto Santiago is a third generation Berkeley boy currently raising the fourth generation. Roberto’s writing has appeared in Latina, Parents, and various online outlets. A lifelong baseball fan, Roberto worked briefly with the Boston Red Sox and once hit an RBI single off Spaceman Lee on a 2-2 changeup. It was his only at bat ever in a real baseball game. Find him on Instagram.
