Game 7 Recap: A Beat to Build On
“A lot of history here last year. A lot of good things Happened. I feel great to be back”
by Roberto Santiago
WEST OAKLAND - Starting pitching continues to be the story for the Ballers early in the season, but not a positive one. After Gabe Tanner gave the club their strongest start of the season on Sunday (6.0 IP, 5 earned runs), Aiden Risse looked to continue the momentum. It was not to be, as Risse gave up 2 runs each in the first and second innings. Like Tanner on Opening Day, Risse got into early trouble, but escaped with minimal damage. After a leadoff strikeout to Eddie Pelc in the first, Risse gave up a solo home run to Anthony Mata, followed by a walk to Cooper Vest. An E5 by Jake Allgeyer and a walk to Cuba Bess loaded the bases for Long Beach. Matthew Bardowell hit a sacrifice fly for a second run. After another walk, Risse got out of the inning with a strikeout.
After facing eight batters in the top of the first, Risse gave up a more economical 2 runs in the top of the second. The Oakland starter allowed two singles sandwiched around a second strikeout of Pelc. A double by Vest scored the two runners for a 4-0 Coast lead.
Despite the 4 runs, there were signs of improvement for Risse. He settled in and, aided by three double plays behind him, didn’t allow a run for the next three innings. Overall, Risse came out of his 5 innings with a respectable 5.40 ERA for the day, dropping his season ERA from 18.00 to 10.13. After a needed day off, the bullpen was once again a strength for Oakland, giving up just one run the rest of the way. Langston Burkett continued his strong start to the year with a perfect ninth inning that saw his ERA remain flawless and dropped his season WHIP to 0.92 with 7 strikeouts over 4.1 innings pitched this season.
On offense, the Ballers were unable to put up the video game numbers they'd managed the previous three games where they averaged 11.33 runs per game. On a night when no Oakland batter had more than one hit, they had chances to tie the game but couldn’t cash in.
The inability to score runs wasn’t without some controversy. In the bottom of the second, Jaden Collura singled to left center. Newly re-acquired DH Cam Bufford hit into a fielder’s choice and was called out on a close play at first base. First base coach James Harris was visibly upset with the call and manager Aaron Miles, coaching third base, ran across the diamond to argue the play, while the ball boy optimistically tapped his helmet hoping for a challenge. (Out calls cannot be challenged in the Pioneer League.)
The bigger blow came in the fifth, with two on and no outs, T.J McKenzie hit into a double play that everyone in green thought should have been a fielder’s choice. McKenzie was aghast at the call, throwing his hands in the air and clutching his helmet while Harris protested. Miles stayed at third base but gesticulated in ways that showed his disbelief at the call. Tremayne Cobb struck out to end the inning. Asked what he saw, Harris said, “They were close plays. On our side, we thought he beat them, but the umpires saw them different. We just need to keep playing after that.”
As with the pitching, there were bright spots on offense that could portend well for the season. In the bottom of the seventh, McKenzie continued his hot streak with a double down the right field line. Tremayne Cobb singled to score McKenzie, highlighting the lineup construction Aaron Miles pointed out after game five. Cobb then quickly stole second and third, bringing his season total to 6 and giving the rest of the league something to think about when he’s on base.
Cam Bufford arrived in Oakland on Monday and was immediately inserted into the lineup at DH. He responded by getting on base twice after not playing in 10 games with his previous club to start the season. On his mindset on getting ready to play after a long layoff and a trade, Bufford kept it simple, “Just prepare the same way. Go out there and compete. Practice hard, play hard.”
Odds & Ends
Game 3 starter Nick Bautista came in to pitch the eighth inning indicating that he will not take his turn on Wednesday. Asked if that was to get Charlie Hurley in on his regular rest, Aaron Miles revealed that Wednesday’s starter will be newly signed Joel Tornero, a lefty out of Azua Pacific University. Asked about the change, Miles explained, “We had some injuries during spring training. We broke camp and our starting five wasn’t exactly how we drew it up. Obviously the first week has been tough on the starting staff. We had a chance to sign a good young kid and we’ll see what we have in him tomorrow.” The Ballers have not announced the signing or any corresponding move.
Troy Percival was hit in the midsection by a batted ball while coaching first base. Everyone had a laugh until a second batted ball nearly hit him a couple pitches later. “The first one is an accident." Percival joked with some false menace in his voice.
Attendance is up: The Ballers are averaging 2,524 fans per game this season with only one crowd under 2,000. The team averaged 2,303 fans per game last season. Their current pace is good for second best in the Pioneer League so far.
Photos courtesy of Darrell Lavin Photography.
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.
