Game 76 Recap, Aug. 14: Sunrise and Sunset
The B’s overcome a three-run deficit in the 9th to tie 5-5, but fall in the knockout round to Long Beach
By Chris Drue, B’s Beat Writer
“Sunrise or sunset?” Oakland B’s broadcaster Gareth Kwok asked viewers tuning in the team’s free Friday night stream against the Long Beach Coast (playing as their alter ego, the Long Beach Regulators) as part of his daily segment reading fan chat messages.
The club witnessed both after arriving by bus in Long Beach at 5:30AM to take on their Southern California rivals at 6:35PM that same day. B’s starter David Thomas, who got the nod for the B’s, shrugged off the overnight haul ahead of his outing: “It was a long bus ride, but I just tried to get as much sleep as I could, not let the travel affect me, and go out there and compete.”
The Alameda native went six strong innings, locking in and keeping the mighty LBC offense at bay after giving up three quick runs in the first inning. “They are a good hitting team. In the first inning they hit some good pitches that I made, so I just started with my strengths of first pitch strikes and mixing in different pitches. It worked well for me–got into a couple jams and found a way out with good defense and making good pitches,” Thomas shared in messages with Dispatches. “My splitter has been very good my past couple of outings and I’m just using it in the right counts–it really keeps hitters off my fastball.” Thomas, who joined the club in late July after graduating from San Jose State, fanned a season-high seven in the no-decision start.
Oakland snapped a 19-inning scoreless drought in the 7th on a two-run single by Logan Johnstone. While the club has to feel frustrated over its offensive production over the Modesto series and leading into the road trip in Long Beach, they shouldn’t be too discouraged–according to Corner Stripe, Long Beach and Modesto boast the second and third-best pitching staffs across the Atlantic League, American Association, and Pioneer League, trailing only the Long Island Ducks. The Coast have also defended their home turf fiercely, dropping just six games at Blair Field all season.
Down by three in the 9th, the Regulators brought in the league’s best closer, Zach Voelker, to slam the door on the B’s. Voelker loaded the bases with two outs after drilling Johnstone in the hip with a 94 mph stinger, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. With two down and the bases juiced, outfielder Noah Blythe popped a high fly ball to the gap in left for what looked like the final out–until center fielder Emilio Corona dropped it.
“Corona, the centerfielder… DROPS THE BALL! HE DROPS THE BALL! HE DROPPED IT! TWO RUNS ARE IN AND HERE COMES JOHNSTONE! THIS GAME IS TIED!” B’s announcer Gareth Kwok exclaimed as a packed Blair Field sat in stunned silence as the B’s YouTube chat exploded.
“I’m just as stunned as the fans are when it happens in real time,” Kwok shared with Dispatches on his reaction to the moment. “What I say on the mic is my true, authentic, raw reaction to the actions unfolding in front of me. You truly never know what might happen at any point because something unexpected can occur, which makes calling these types of games incredibly fun.”
Blythe explained that he was focused on passing the baton to the next batter in the order—a mindset the B’s offense has embraced all season. “I was just trying to pass the bat, but I got a good pitch to hit,” he shared after the game. “Maybe there were some communication issues [for Long Beach, and [Corona] ran a long way—sometimes it’s tough to keep focus on those types of balls. I’m just glad I could help the team any way I can!”
Oakland reliever Nathan Darden, acquired a week ago from the RedPocket Mobiles to complete the trade for TJ McKenzie, kept the game tied after taking over for Thomas in the 7th, forcing a knockout run homerun derby.
The last time the B’s and Coast faced off in the knockout round, the teams went a dramatic three rounds, battling to see who could clear the fences first in the spacious Blair Field. While the B’s came out on top back in game 57, they fell short this time after Cuba Bess triumphed over Jeter Ybarra with a shot crushed to right.
The sun will rise again tomorrow as the B’s take another swing at Long Beach at 4:35PM. The B’s are fighting for the playoffs as well as to keep the Coast from breaking the single-season win record of 73-23 set by Oakland in 2025. Long Beach sits at 56-20 with 20 games remaining, including 5 against the Town.
ODDS & ENDS
Injury Updates: The B’s placed starting pitcher Charlie Hurley back on the 10-day injured list. OF Cam Bufford will miss the remainder of the season also due to an injury.
Transaction News: Oakland released pitcher Ahmad Harajli, who was acquired earlier in the season from the Florence Y’alls in the Frontier League for starter CJ Blowers. The B’s also activated their bullpen catcher Ethan Crawford of Tiburon and Grinnell College.
Catch me if you can! B’s catcher Conner Smith gunned down Anthony Mata, catching the speedy Long Beach shortstop for the first time after 27 consecutive successful stolen bases this season.
Hot Corner! In his first start at third base after coming in to pinch hit in the 9th, Jaden Collura was challenged immediately with a tough grounder, and he rose to the challenge and fired to first for the out.
100th Walk. LBC’s Eddy Pelc extended his Pioneer League single-season record for walks to 100.
B’s Forever Keepsake. Pastime Tattoo, a B’s sponsor co-owned by press box wizard Ben Verhoek, will be inking B’s free tattoos for free today, August 15th from 12:00pm to 7:00pm at its shop in San Leandro. The annual event is sponsored by Ride AC Transit.
All images and video used with permission from the Oakland Ballers.
Video recap by Ben Verhoek.
Chris Drue is an East Bay native who has loved baseball since visiting the Coliseum with his dad as a kid. His favorite combo at Raimondi Park is a Fieldwork Day Money and a veggie dog (in a helmet!). His favorite pitch is the eephus, with a Barry Zito 12-6 curveball (circa 2002) a very close second. Find him on Instagram.
