PLAYOFFS!

The Armada advanced to the playoffs tonight with a BIG win at Orange County. Click to listen to the game-winning play at the plate as heard on the Armada broadcast with Josh Feldman & Dave Foley.  Also, you can hear the post-game interview with Armada catcher David Ramirez.  

Below is the game recap from the Armada website...


Play at the plate propels Armada to playoffs
Williams to Ramirez halts late OC comeback

LB     201  000  220 -- 7 9 1
OC    010  000  230 -- 6 11 4

FULLERTON, Calif. -- The Armada defeated the Orange County Flyers 7-6 at Goodwin Field on Saturday to clinch the GBL South 2nd Half Championship and a spot in the playoffs next week.

With two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the ninth, Flyers 2B David Bacani drove a 2-1 pitch from Armada closer Nick Cavanaugh into right field. Julian Williams fielded the ball and fired a bullet toward home plate where C David Ramirez tagged out Flyers C Josh Arhart to preserve the win.

Long Beach players mobbed Ramirez at home plate and Williams on his way in from right field. Williams and Ramirez - warm up partners before Armada games - combined to put the Fleet in the post-season for the third time in the organization's four-year history.

Armada SP Dusty Gober (5-8) earned the win, despite most of the drama taking place after he left the game. Gober kept the the Flyers offense at bay for 5.2 innings, giving up 1 run on 6 hits with 7 strike outs and 5 walks. Gober left the game with Long Beach leading 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, DH Norm Hutchins' 2-RBI single to centerfield scored Williams and 2B Omar Bramasco to give Long Beach a 5-1 and a seemingly smooth path into the post-season. With the Armada up by four, news of the final score in Chico hit Goodwin Field - the Outlaws defeated St. George 5-0, meaning a Long Beach win would secure the post-season berth.

But in the bottom of the seventh, the Flyers struck back off of reliever Nick Beirbrodt. Orange County DH Terry Mermer crushed a 2-run home run (4) with two outs to bring the game to 5-3. The Armada responded in the top of the eighth. 1B Brett Flowers led off the inning with a double to right field, and LF Dan Trumble drew a walk to put two on with no outs. After a sac-fly by Ramirez, SS Cleatus Davidson - in just his second game back after a stint on the inactive list - knocked a 2-RBI double to score Flowers and Trumble and regain the 4-run lead, 7-3. The Armada need to hold the lead and record just six outs to advance to the post-season.

If only it were that easy.

Orange County - the first round opponent of Long Beach next week - continued its late-inning charge with Jeffrey Van Houton drawing a pinch-hit lead-off walk to start the bottom of the eighth. After Bierbrodt induced two pop ups to center field, Flyers SS Jermy Acey doubled to score Van Houton. One batter later, LF Jeff LaRue crushed a 2-run home run (14) to pull the Flyers within one run, 7-6.

Biedbrodt finished the night pitching 2.1 innings, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3.

Flyers closer Dane De La Rose allowed the Armada to post runners on the corners before PH Ryan Brown popped up to end the top of the ninth.

Cavanaugh walked Arhart to start the bottom of the ninth, and PH Gabriel Mayorga sacrificed Arhart to second base. Then Flyers manager Gary Carter went to his bench and sent GBL home run king Pat Breen to the plate, sending the crowd at Goodwin Field into a frenzy. Breen, who has been sidelined with a leg injury for a week, drew an intentional walk from Cavanaugh, putting the go-ahead run on first base before Bacani's single to right field and the dramatic play at the plate.

Flyers SP Charles Merricks (6-5) took the loss, pitching 6.1 innings, giving up 5 runs (2 earned) while walking six and striking out three.

Long Beach and Orange County wrap up the regular season at Blair Field on Sunday in a game between two teams that could play each other up to 11 times between August 26 and September 7. First pitch Sunday is 5:05pm.

Playoff Schedule
9/2 - Game 1 - OC @ LB 7:05pm
9/3 - Game 2 - OC @ LB 7:05pm
9/5 - Game 3 - LB @ OC 7:05pm
9/6 - Game 4* - LB @ OC 7:05pm
9/7 - Game 5* - LB @ OC 7:05pm
*if necessary

Armada 6 Flyers 3

The Armada continued their winning ways against the Flyers towards the end of the regular season with two to go. The Flyers jumped out to a three run lead in the second only to see it run away with timely hitting and baserunning in the third. The Fleet came out on top with a 6-3 victory over the hated Flyers. Manager Steve Yeager (pictured left) has the Armada playing at a high level.

Armada starter Rik Currier (8-5) pitched another great game at Blair Field extending his record to 8-0 at the home ballpark. Currier went 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3. After the three runs in the second, Currier shut down the Flyers giving up only two hits to finish his start. Garrett Murdy pitched the seventh and eighth walking 2 and striking out 1. Wayne Foltin pitched a scoreless ninth getting his seventh save on 1 hit and 1 walk.

The Armada offense got on board in a hurry down by three in the third when 1B Ryan Brown getting on base with a single, then moving into scoring position on a wild pitch. That set up LF Dan Trumble for the base hit RBI scoring Brown. Trumble moved all the way to third on a throwing error from C Nick Guerra. SS Cleatus Davidson fresh off the inactive list drove in Trumble on a base hit. 2B Omar Bramasco walked and would later pull off a double steal with Davidson to move into scoring position. CF Steve Moss struck after the double steal to double in both Davidson and Bramasco. All of sudden the Armada are ahead by one 4-3. DH Norm Hutchins would add another run by driving in Moss on a base hit. Runs scored in bunches in the third. C Octavio Martinez would sac fly in Bramasco in the eighth to give the Fleet a three run cushion for Foltin to get the save.

Flyers starter Matt Durkin (3-3) got the loss going 6 innings giving up 5 runs, 4 earned on 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 7. Andre Simpson pitched the last two innings giving up 1 run on 1 hit, walking 2 and striking out 1. The only runs for the Flyers came in the second when 1B Fernando Pacheco hit a 3 run HR to deep right giving them a early three run lead. Pacheco finished 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and a run scored.

Two games left on the season. Saturday in Orange County at 7:05pm and Sunday in Long Beach at 5:05pm on the Long Beach Armada radio network.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

Uncle David & little Cleabo

Cleatus Davidson's Uncle David & their 9 week old puppy Cleabo. Both are regular listeners to the Armada broadcasts..

GAME 4 ARMADA VS. FLYERS LINEUP

FLYERS 22-18

1. 22 CF TRAVON JACKSON
2. 1 2B DAVID BACANI
3. 7 SS JERMY ACEY
4. 5 DH BRIAN RIOS
5. 16 LF JEFF LARUE
6. 26 C NICK GUERRA
7. 21 RF MARK OKANO
8. 3 1B FERNANDO PACHECO
9. 11 3B GABE MAYORGA
32 P MATT DURKIN (3-2)


ARMADA 24-17

1. 11 RF JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 4 2B OMAR BRAMASCO
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
5. 19 DH NORM HUTCHINS
6. 15 C OCTAVIO MARTINEZ
7. 20 1B RYAN BROWN
8. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
9. 2 SS CLEATUS DAVIDSON
12 P RIK CURRIER (7-5)

LB splits double header with OC

Game 1
Long Beach - 2
ORANGE COUNTY - 3

LB 000 002 0 - 2 7 1
OC 000 102 0 - 3 11 1

FULLERTON, Calif. -- In a battle of third basemen, Long Beach's Ryan Lehr two RBI fell short to his Orange County counterpart Nick Guerra, who drove in three to give the Flyers a 3-2 win at Goodwin Field in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader.

Lehr's 3-for-3 performance amounted to the lone Armada offensive highlight in a game dominated by pitching. Long Beach (23-17) battled Orange County starter Mike Natale for six innings. Natale (4-1) earned the win, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits while striking out four and walking two in 6 IP. Armada starter Ryan Claypool (7-8) took the loss for Long Beach, going 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 10 hits and one strike out.

Both Claypool and Natale kept the bats in check early the game. The Flyers broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning when Guerra singled to score DH Brian Rios.

The Armada failed to score until the top of the sixth inning when Lehr hit a ball over the center fielder for a two-RBI double, scoring RF Julian Williams and SS Omar Bramasco. Orange County (21-17) responded with Guerra's two-RBI single in the bottom of the sixth.

Dane De La Rose came in to earn the save for the Flyers, his 14th save of the season.

Game 2
LONG BEACH - 3
Orange County - 1

LB 000 003 0 - 3 5 1
OC 000 010 0 - 1 6 1

FULLERTON, Calif. -- Armada starter Seth Etherton stuck out 11, and LF Dan Trumble blasted a 3-run home run in the top of the 6th to give the Armada a 3-1 comeback victory over Orange County at Goodwin Field in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader.

Etherton (1-0) earned the win in his first decision as a member of the Fleet. The former major league pitcher gave up 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 11 Flyers without giving up a walk in the 5.1 innings he pitched.

Etherton retired the first eight Flyers hitters he faced before a double by Flyers 3B Gabe Mayorga broke up the no hitter in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

Offensively Long Beach struggled to drive in runners. The Armada squandered chances in the first, second and fourth innings to score a runner on third base.

Flyers RF Mark Okano singled to score C Nick Guerra in the bottom of the 5th to give OC a 1-0 lead, a lead the Flyers would hold for only a half inning.

Armada 3B Ryan Lehr reached base (HBP) to lead off the top of the 6th, and DH Norm Hutchins laid down a bunt to sacrifice Lehr to second. After 1B Brett Flowers drew a walk from Flyers SP Jesse Smith, Trumble crushed a 1-1 pitch to left-center for a 3-run home run (10), giving the Armada a 3-1 lead.

Smith (6-2) left the game after giving up the three-run bomb, finishing the night giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, striking out 3 and walking 3 through 5.1 innings.

Sean Buller came in to relieve Etherton, facing two batters in the bottom of the 6th before Nick Cavanagh came in to shut down the OC offense. Cavanagh pitched 1.2 innings to earn the save (14).

After dropping the first game of the day, the Armada needed a win to keep pace with the St. George Roadrunners (24-17), who completed a four-game sweep in Reno of the Silversox on Thursday.

Long Beach (24-17) and St. George now have identical records atop of the GBL South. Each team has three games remaining in 2008 - St. George plays a three game series in Chico, while the Armada finish with two games and Blair Field and one more at Goodwin Field against Orange County.

Friday's Armada game against the Flyers starts at 6:35pm at Blair Field. After the game, the Armada will host its final fireworks show of 2008 presented by DeVry University.

Armada 5 Flyers 1

The magic number for the Armada is five now. With a one game lead over St. George, a game and a half over Orange County and three and a half over Yuma the Fleet control their destiny for a postseason berth. They scored first and would only let the Flyers come within one to finish them off 5-1 with five games left all against the OC Flyers.

Armada starter Andrew Layfield (2-4) pitched a great game going 5 innings giving up 1 run on 5 hits and walking 1. Dusty Gober pitched two innings in relief giving up 2 hits and striking out 2. Nick Cavanagh pitched the eighth and ninth innings giving up 2 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2. Pitching and defense have been the key all year long for the Armada, as well as timely hitting like we saw today.

CF Steve Moss (pictured left) drove in RF Julian Williams in the first on a ground out to second. 1B Brett Flowers would drive in Moss on a base hit to right in the fourth extending the lead 2-0. With the Fleet up 2-1 going into the seventh, Long Beach could use some insurance runs against the Flyers. Moss would come to the plate with two runners on and drive a ball into left field for a 2 run single, but advanced to second on 1B Fernando Pacheco's fielding error. Two outs and 3B Ryan Lehr stepped in and promptly drove a ball into right to drive in Moss for a 5-1 lead and later the win.

Flyers starter Bob Cramer (7-4) went 7 innings giving up 5 runs, 4 earned on 10 hits, walking 2 and striking out 7. Andre Simpson pitched the eighth giving up 1 hit and striking out 1. The only run for the Flyers came in the fifth down 2-0, with CF Travon Jackson driving a ball into right to score C Josh Arhart from third. The Flyers had nine hits, but left eight on base.

Probable starters Thursday for Long Beach Game 1 & 2 TBA and for Orange County TBA. Game time is 5:05pm for Game 1.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 1 ARMADA VS. FLYERS LINEUP

FLYERS 49-31 (21-16)

1. 22 CF TRAVON JACKSON
2. 20 3B JEFF VAN HOUTEN
3. 7 DH JERMY ACEY
4. 16 LF JEFF LARUE
5. 3 1B FERNANDO PACHECO
6. 33 C JOSH ARHART
7. 21 RF MARK OKANO
8. 26 2B NICK GUERRA
9. 11 SS GABE MAYORGA
2 P BOB CRAMER (7-3)


ARMADA 44-38 (22-16)

1. 11 RF JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 4 SS OMAR BRAMASCO
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
5. 19 DH NORM HUTCHINS
6. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
7. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
8. 21 C DAVID RAMIREZ
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
22 P ANDREW LAYFIELD (1-4)

Armada sweep double header, takes 1st place

Game 1
Long Beach - 3
Yuma - 2

Starting pitcher Garrett Murdy kept the Scorpions offense in check, and CF Steve Moss blasted two-run homer to give the Armada a 3-2 win in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader in Yuma, Arizona.

Murdy (3-0) got the win in only his second start of the season. He struck out six Scorpions, walked one while giving up four hits and two runs (both earned).

The Armada (21-16) struck first when 3B Ryan Lehr's RBI double scored Julian Williams for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Scorpions bounced back in the bottom of the second, when AJ Valentine's solo home run tied the game, 1-1. After the blast, Murdy continued to shut down the Scorpions lineup until the bottom of the fifth, when Yuma DH jose Rodriguez knocked a solo home run to give Yuma a 2-1 lead.

Enter Steve Moss. The Armada center fielder two-run blast in the top of the sixth gave Long Beach the deciding runs. Wayne Foltin finished the game, pitching the seventh inning and earning his fifth save of the season.

Game 2
Long Beach - 5
Yuma - 4
F/8

After a late-inning comeback in the first game of the doubleheader, the Armada needed extra innings to sweep the day and defeat Yuma, 5-4, taking sole possession of first-place in the GBL South.

Trailing 4-2 in the sixth inning, Armada DH Norm Hutchins and C David Ramirez singled to get on the bases before LF Dan Trumble’s 2-RBI double tied the game, 4-4. Trumble was thrown out trying to stretch his extra-base hit into a triple, and manager Steve Yeager was ejected for arguing the call.

In the eighth inning, Hutchins tripled to set himself up to score the winning run. Three batters later, Trumble again delivered, blooping a ball into right field to score Hutchins and give the Fleet a 5-4 lead.

Nick Bierbrodt (5-5) earned the win, going six innings, striking out five and walking six while giving up two runs (both earned) on two hits. Bierbrodt came into the game in the second inning to relieve SP Steve Smyth, who went 1+ inning and gave up two runs, striking out one batter and walking four. Wayne Foltin shut down the Scorpions in the eighth inning to earn the save (6), his second of the night. Foltin has yet to give up an earned run in 11.2 IP with the Armada.

Armada 3B Ryan Lehr put Long Beach (22-16) ahead first with a two-run home run (11) in the top of the first. The Scorpions evened things up in the bottom of the frame when Yuma RF Maikel Jova singled to score 3B Dionys Cesar and 1B AJ Valentine’s sac fly brought in DH Henry Calderon.

Scorpions C Jose Rodriguez two-RBI single gave Yuma a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The pressure continued to mount as the Armada failed to score again until the sixth inning.

For the second straight night, Edmonton defeated Orange County (20-16) and Chico knocked off St. George (20-17), giving the Armada a one-game lead over the rival Flyers, their next opponent.

The Armada and Flyers start a six-game home-and-home series on Tuesday, August 26 at Blair Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.

GBL South Standings
Long Beach 22-16
Orange County 20-16
St. George 20-17
Yuma 19-18

Doubleheaders & pitching

With the Armada playing their fifth doubleheader of the season, I got thinking about how playing in an abundance of doubleheaders might either help or hurt a team.

Before we get started, let's just look at the number of double-headers each GBL team has played or will play this season....
ORANGE COUNTY - 15
CALGARY - 13
EDMONTON - 8
RENO - 8
ST. GEORGE - 7
LONG BEACH - 6
CHICO - 6
YUMA - 3

Calgary and Orange County are far ahead of the rest of the GBL teams in the number of doubleheaders they'll play in 2008. Most of the the Vipers doubleheaders are the results of rain outs (they've had seven rainouts this season). OC opted for a doubleheader-heavy schedule, and the league approved the move.

Now here's where things get interesting. In the GBL, and really most if not all of minor league baseball, the games of doubleheaders are 7-inning affairs. Rather than playing nine innings one day and nine inning the next, the teams play 14 innings in one day and save themselves four innings of work.

For example, Long Beach has six doubleheaders this season, so instead of playing 792 innings (88 games x 9 innings; not accounting for extra-inning games at this point), they will play 24 less innings of play (6 doubleheaders x 4 innings less per). Now for a team like Orange County, which plays 15 doubleheaders this season, they will save themselves about 60 innings of work.

I think the most evident area where an advantage can be determined is in pitching. For example, the Armada rotation has pitched 684 innings (LB has played a few extra-innings games too). Yuma's rotation has pitched 679 innings. Calgary's rotation: 651 innings. Orange County: 641 innings.

As the playoff race comes down to the wire and the GBL rosters set, there is s distinct advantage for a team that plays 43 less innings (essentially five less games) than some of the other teams in the league. The biggest problem I see: if a team that has a weaker bullpen (*cough* OC *cough*) doesn't have to use that bullpen because starters only need to go 6-7 innings, then that weakness is eliminated. More so than protecting a bullpen which might need protecting, when a long-reliever is needed, everyone is available because very few if any relievers are needed for these 7-inning contests.

In 2008, the OC pitching staff has made 203 game appearances (79 of those being starts). Subtract those starts, as everyone always uses a starting pitching, and you get 124 relief pitching appearances by the OC staff.

In contrast, the Yuma Scorpions - who have played and will play the least number of doubleheaders of all the GBL teams - have had pitchers appear in a combined 269 games. Subtract 79 starts, and you get 190 relief pitching appearances for the Scorps. Somewhere in the middle is Long Beach, which has used 249 pitchers, subtract 80 starts, so 169 extra pitchers.

Orange County has used 66 less pitchers than Yuma this season, and that discrepancy will only get bigger as the season wraps up. And I though Long Beach would have a big disadvantage to OC with the 45 extra pitchers LB has used, and the Armada has used 21 less than their opponents this weekend.

So what does all this actually mean?

It means that with a tight playoff race (all the teams in the GBL South Division are within a game of each other today), each teams margin of error is slim-to-nonexistent. Last night, some Armada players were frustrated when they learned that both Edmonton and Chico upset OC and STG, giving the Armada the chance to take over first place. Instead, Long Beach in actuality lucked out. If the Fleet was going to lose last night, then they better do it on a night when both the Roadrunners and Flyers fall too.

Each team has roughly 8-10 games left in the 2008 regular season, with the playoffs starting in September. If one team has a fresher pitching staff, something tells me that might be more helpful than a team that is constantly throwing relievers onto the field like a fisherman shoveling water out of a dingy with a pail.

LB 3, YUM 8: Armada misses out on 1st

The Armada got the help they needed from Edmonton and Chico to jump into first place in the division. The Yuma Scorpions had other ideas. Yuma chipped away at Armada starter Dusty Gober for a 3-8 Armada loss at Desert Sun Stadium on Friday night.

The Yuma Scorpions (19-16) used a two-run first inning to take a lead they would not relinquish, spoiling an opportunity for the Armada to take over first place in the GBL South Division. While the Edmonton Cracker Cats defeated Orange County 12-4 and the Chico Outlaws clobbered St. George 17-8, Long Beach (20-16) could not capitalize to move into first. The Armada did not score a run until the sixth inning when 3B Ryan Lehr drove in SS Omar Bramasco to make it a 5-1 game.

Gober (4-8) took the loss for Long Beach, going eight innings, giving up eight runs on 12 hits while striking out eight Scorpions while giving up no walks. Armada C Octavio Martinez scored the Fleet’s other two runs in the seventh and ninth innings, but by that time the Scorpions had a big enough cushion to hold on for the win.

Yuma SP Jorge Perez (8-3) continued to show why he leads the GBL in strikeouts, as he fanned nine and walked only two in seven innings of work. Perez gave up five hits before leaving the game.

Yuma LF Rich Janeway led the way for the Scorpions, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

The Armada looks to bounce back tomorrow in a doubleheader starting at 6pm. Hear all the action at www.longbeacharmada.com live from Yuma starting at 5:50pm.

GBL South Standings
Orange County 20-15
Long Beach 20-16
St. George 20-16
Yuma 19-16

102F at 6pm

The Armada just finished taking BP here on the surface of the sun, er-- Yuma.  It's 102*F under clear skies.  The overnight low should be 82*F, so both teams better do an excellent job of hydrating or else the later innings could showcase some heavy legs and tired arms.

Yuma forecast

Pennant Race Underway

With one week to go in the 2008 regular season, the Armada finds itself a half-game out of first place with a chance to make the post-season for the third time in four years.  The first-half champion Orange County Flyers are 20-14 with Long Beach and St. George right behind tied at 20-15.  Long Beach, 9-1 in its last 10 games, took advantage of a recent home stand by using Calgary, Edmonton and Chico as steps on a staircase toward the top of the GBL South Division.

Tonight the Armada starts a three-game series against the Yuma Scorpions (18-16).  Winning the series could be the boost to put Long Beach into the post season.  The Fleet will wrap up the regular season with a big six-game home-and-home series against the rival Flyers next week (Aug 26-31).

GBL South Standings

OC      20-14

LB       20-15

STG    20-15

YUM   18-16

Armada 4 Outlaws 3

A close game that lasted til the eleventh inning. Long Beach was up by two, then Chico came back to tie it up in the eighth. We would go into extras til the eleventh when a run was scored thanks to two errors by Chico for the 4-3 win. With Chico swept out of Long Beach, they are still one game back of Orange County and still tied with St. George with their sweep of Yuma leaving them two games back of the Flyers.

Armada starter Seth Etherton started the game, his first appearance since Tommy John surgery last year. Etherton pitched 4 innings giving up 1 run on 2 hits, walking 1 and striking out 5. Nick Bierbrodt pitched 3 innings of relief giving up no hits, walking 1 and striking out 1. Sean Buller pitched the eighth giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and striking out 1. Nick Cavanagh (4-1) pitched 3 innings, his longest outing of the year giving up 2 hits and striking out 2 for the win.

The Armada tied it up at one in third thanks to SS Omar Bramasco driving in 2B Michael Glomb (pictured left) on a base hit. Bramasco would drive Glomb in again in the fifth, this time on a triple to right. With Long Beach up 2-1 in the sixth, 1B Ryan Brown got a single to left to score DH Norm Hutchins giving them a two run cushion. The scoring would halt with Long Beach leaving fifteen runners on base for the game until the eleventh when RF Julian Williams reached base on a error by 3B Bryan Silverman. Williams would reach third on the error and no outs. Bramasco and CF Steve Moss would be intentionally walked to load the bases for 3B Ryan Lehr to set up the double play. Lehr hit a ground ball that was fielded cleanly by SS Jesse Kovacs, but out of the glove of C Matt Ceriani easily scoring Williams from third. Game over.

Chico starter Scott Navarro went 6 innings getting the no decision giving up 3 runs, 2 earned on 9 hits and striking out 4. Todd Gelatka (3-4) went 1 inning getting the loss. One unearned run on 1 hit, walking 2 and striking out 1. Chico scored a run in the third on C David Ramirez's throwing error to second scoring SS Eric Pringle from third. Two more scored in the eighth on a sac fly RBI by 1B Tony Torcato and a RBI double by RF Casey Garrison.

Long Beach heads to Yuma for an important three game series Friday and Saturday. Friday's game starts at 7:05 and Saturday is a double header starting at 5:05. The Fleet will finish off the season back in Long Beach and Orange County next week.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 4 ARMADA VS. OUTLAWS LINEUP

OUTLAWS 28-49 (13-22)

1. 6 2B DAN LUYBEN
2. 14 CF STEVE BOGGS
3. 32 1B TONY TORCATO
4. 46 LF CASEY GARRISON
5. 18 DH TODD GOSSAGE
6. 29 RF BRYAN SILVERMAN
7. 16 3B JESSE KOVACS
8. 9 C MATT CERIANI
9. 3 SS ERIC PRINGLE
22 P SCOTT NAVARRO (2-4)


ARMADA 41-37 (19-15)

1. 11 RF JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 4 SS OMAR BRAMASCO
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
5. 19 DH NORM HUTCHINS
6. 25 LF BRETT FLOWERS
7. 20 1B RYAN BROWN
8. 21 C DAVID RAMIREZ
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
18 P SETH ETHERTON (0-0)

Armada 4 Outlaws 3

Long Beach wins another nail biter for their third win in a row, all against the Outlaws. Long Beach was up 4-1 until Chico scored a run in the eighth and ninth to come within one losing to Long Beach 4-3. The Armada are still a game back of Orange County tied with St. George, but ahead of Yuma by 1/2 a game in the South Division.

Armada starter Rik Currier (7-5) (pictured left) won his seventh game of the year. He pitched 7 innings giving up 1 run on 6 hits, walking 1 and striking out 3. He is now 7-0 at Blair Field this season. Sean Buller pitched the eighth giving up 1 unearned run on 3 hits. Nick Cavanagh got his 13th save pitching the ninth giving up 1 run on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 1.

The scoring started for the Fleet in the second inning when DH Brett Flowers doubled in RF Norm Hutchins from second. CF Steve Moss sac flied in 2B Michael Glomb in the third. 1B Ryan Brown scored in the fourth from third after Hutchins was caught stealing at second. SS Omar Bramasco sac flied in C Octavio Martinez in the fifth giving the Fleet a commanding 4-0 lead.

Chico would answer late with 1B Todd Gossage getting a triple scoring CF Steve Boggs in the sixth. LF Jesse Kovacs drove in Gossage on a base hit to cut the lead in half 4-2 in the eighth. Top nine, Chico down by two with two on and one out. Boggs drove in C Matt Ceriani to come within one run of the Armada. Three batters later, bases loaded with two outs, RF Bryan Silverman flied out to right to end the game.

Outlaws starter Eric Sheridan (4-5) got the loss going 5 2/3 innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 8. Relievers Ben Shockley and Todd Gelatka combine to go 2 1/3 innings striking out 3 and giving up no hits or runs.

Probable starters tomorrow for Chico Scott Navarro (2-4) and for Long Beach Seth Etherton (0-0). Game time is 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 3 ARMADA VS. OUTLAWS LINEUP

OUTLAWS 28-48 (13-21)

1. 6 2B DAN LUYBEN
2. 14 CF STEVE BOGGS
3. 18 1B TODD GOSSAGE
4. 30 3B JULIAN BENAVIDEZ
5. 29 RF BRYAN SILVERMAN
6. 16 LF JESSE KOVACS
7. 25 DH CHRIS CORSO
8. 9 C MATT CERIANI
9. 3 SS ERIC PRINGLE
2 P ERIC SHERIDAN (4-4)


ARMADA 40-37 (18-15)

1. 4 SS OMAR BRAMASCO
2. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
3. 20 1B RYAN BROWN
4. 19 RF NORM HUTCHINS
5. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
6. 25 DH BRETT FLOWERS
7. 15 C OCTAVIO MARTINEZ
8. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
12 P RIK CURRIER (6-5)

Armada 7 Outlaws 5

The Armada continue their winning streak against the defending champion Chico Outlaws at Blair Field. The answered Chico in the second pulling ahead 2-1 and would look back. Chico came on strong in the ninth, but fell short to Long Beach losing by a final of 7-5.

Armada starter Andrew Layfield (1-4) (pictured left) won his first game pitching a great game. He went 7 innings giving up 3 runs, 1 earned on 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 4. Justin Segal came on in relief for Layfield going 1 2/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3. Wayne Foltin got his fourth save striking out the last batter in the ninth with two runners left on for Chico.

The Armada scoring started in the second when C David Ramirez drove in 3B Ryan Lehr on a ground out to short. 2B Michael Glomb would drive in DH Brett Flowers giving the Armada a 2-1 lead. Lehr and Flowers would score again in the fourth on errors by Chico. Ramirez drove in another run that same inning giving him a 2 for 3 day with 2 RBI and a run scored. Lehr finished 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored. Flowers 1 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Glomb 2 for 4 with a RBI and a run scored. The biggest hit came in the seventh when 1B Ryan Brown doubled in Ramirez and Glomb to give Long Beach a 7-3 lead. That would be huge because Chico would make it close late in the game.

Chico struck first with a sac fly RBI by former Armada player 1B Tony Torcato driving in 2B Dan Luyben. RF Bryan Silverman scored on an error and C Matt Ceriani drove in 3B Jesse Kovacs in the sixth. Chico down by four going into the ninth, two outs and two on, DH Julian Benavidez drove in Luyben and Silverman followed driving in Torcato. Foltin would retire Kovacs to end the game with Kovacs representing the go ahead run.

Chico starter Berek Fasking (2-4) pitched 6 innings giving up 5 runs, 1 earned on 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3. Jason Roach and Kevin Altman combined to go 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 1.

Probable starters tomorrow for Chico Eric Sheridan (3-2) and for Long Beach Rik Currier (6-5). Game time is at 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 2 ARMADA VS. OUTLAWS LINEUP

OUTLAWS 28-47 (13-20)

1. 6 2B DAN LUYBEN
2. 14 CF STEVE BOGGS
3. 32 1B TONY TORCATO
4. 30 DH JULIAN BENAVIDEZ
5. 29 RF BRYAN SILVERMAN
6. 16 3B JESSE KOVACS
7. 46 LF CASEY GARRISON
8. 9 C MATT CERIANI
9. 3 SS ERIC PRINGLE
13 P BEREK FASKING (2-3)


ARMADA 39-37 (17-15)

1. 4 SS OMAR BRAMASCO
2. 20 1B RYAN BROWN
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 19 RF NORM HUTCHINS
5. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
6. 25 DH BRETT FLOWERS
7. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
8. 21 C DAVID RAMIREZ
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
22 P ANDREW LAYFIELD (0-4)

Armada 6 Outlaws 2

The Fleet get back on the winning end in game 1 against the defending champion Chico Outlaws. The Armada took down one of the best pitchers in the GBL, which they've done many times already this season, beating Chico 6-2.

Armada starter Steve Smyth pitched 3 innings getting the no decision giving up 1 run on 1 hit, walking 4 and striking out 2. Nick Bierbrodt (4-5) (pictured left) came in relief going 4 innings giving up 2 hits and striking out 8. What a performance from the Millikan alum getting the win. Nick Cavanagh pitched the last 2 innings giving up 1 unearned run on 2 hits and striking out 2.

The bats struck first for the Armada in the first with 3B Ryan Lehr's ground out RBI driving in SS Omar Bramasco to give the Fleet a 1-0. Two more came across in the fourth thanks to 1B Brett Flowers and C Octavio Martinez RBI's. Martinez would add a solo HR in the seventh inning. He finished 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Lehr finished 3 for 4 with a RBI and two runs scored.

Chico starter Trevor Caughey (7-5) pitched a complete game going 8 innings giving up 6 runs, 5 earned on 9 hits, walking 1 and striking out 4. Two runs were scored for Chico, one in the third to tie the game at 1 thanks to a passed ball by Smyth to score 2B Dan Luyben. Chico would add another in the eighth thanks to 3B Julian Benavidez's sac fly RBI to drive in CF Steve Boggs. Former Armada player 1B Tony Torcato went 3 for 4 with two doubles.

Probable starters tomorrow for Chico Berek Fasking (2-3) and for Long Beach Andrew Layfield (0-4). Game time is at 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 1 ARMADA VS. OUTLAWS LINEUP

OUTLAWS 28-46 (13-19)

1. 14 CF STEVE BOGGS
2. 12 2B DAN LUYBEN
3. 32 1B TONY TORCATO
4. 30 3B JULIAN BENAVIDEZ
5. 18 DH TODD GOSSAGE
6. 29 RF BRYAN SILVERMAN
7. 43 LF GABRIEL RILEY
8. 9 C MATT CERIANI
9. 3 SS ERIC PRINGLE
47 P TREVOR CAUGHEY (7-4)


ARMADA 38-37 (16-15)

1. 11 DH JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 4 SS OMAR BRAMASCO
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
5. 19 RF NORM HUTCHINS
6. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
7. 15 C OCTAVIO MARTINEZ
8. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
33 P STEVE SMYTH (0-0)

Armada 1 Cracker Cats 7

The winning streak has ended for the Armada at five. Great pitching from Edmonton stopped the Armada bats and Edmonton connected on two home runs to help propel them to a 7-1 win.

Edmonton starter Ricardo Rodriguez (7-2) won the game going 8 innings giving up 1 run on 6 hits, walking 3 and striking out 6. The former big leaguer shut down Long Beach from start to finish. Eric Van Slyke pitched the ninth striking out 1. Edmonton was down by one in the fourth when 2B Jose Valdez connected for a three run HR. CF Chris Van Rossum connected for a solo HR to deep right field in the sixth to extend the lead 4-1. SS Jonathan Castro drove in a run in the eighth with a triple. C Jordan Lundberg would drive in Castro with a base hit. Castro finished 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and a run scored. DH Carlos Arroyo finished 3 for 5.

Armada starter Dusty Gober (4-7) (pictured left) pitched 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 8 hits, walking 2 and striking out 2. Garrett Murdy pithced 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and striking out 3. Justin Segal pitched the ninth giving up 1 run on 2 hits. The only run was driven in by newcomer, SS Omar Bramasco in the third inning driving in C David Ramirez. Bramasco went 3 for 4. DH Brett Flowers went 2 for 4 and Ramirez 1 for 3. 3B Ryan Lehr's 24 game on base streak ended today as he finished 0 for 4.

Probable starters tomorrow for Chico Trevor Caughey (7-4) and for Long Beach Steve Smyth (0-0). Game time is 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 3 ARMADA VS. CRACKER CATS LINEUP

CRACKER CATS 41-34 (19-12)

1. 6 LF MARCUS NETTLES
2. 15 RF RUDDY YAN
3. 30 DH CARLOS ARROYO
4. 28 3B JOSE MORBAN
5. 12 1B JOE JIANNETTI
6. 25 CF CHRIS VAN ROSSUM
7. 33 2B JOSE VALDEZ
8. 11 SS JONATHAN CASTRO
9. 19 C JORDAN LUNDBERG
26 P RICARDO RODRIGUEZ (6-2)


ARMADA 37-36 (15-14)

1. 11 2B JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 4 SS NOMAR BRAMASCO
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 19 RF NORM HUTCHINS
5. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
6. 20 1B RYAN BROWN
7. 25 DH BRETT FLOWERS
8. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
9. 21 C DAVID RAMIREZ
9 P DUSTY GOBER (4-6)

Armada 10 Cracker Cats 4

The walk offs stopped, but the win streak continued for the Armada as they struck early and pulled away in the fourth to never give up the lead as they beat the Cracker Cats 10-4 for their fifth win in a row. All the wins coming at home.

Armada starter Ryan Claypool ( 7-7) won the game going 6 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits, walking 6 and striking out 6. Nick Bierbrodt relieved Claypool in the sixth walking 1 and striking out 1 to end the inning. Wayne Foltin pitched 2 innings giving up 2 hits and 1 unearned run and striking out the final three outs in the ninth.

RF Norm Hutchins got things started off for the Armada with a RBI scoring SS Cleatus Davidson. Newly acquired 1B Ryan Brown drove in Hutchins on a base hit. 3B Ryan Lehr (pictured left), who continued his 23 game on base streak to 24, doubled in a run in the fourth. Davidson drove in another with a base hit. DH Brett Flowers sac flied in a run in the fifth. The scoring opened up in the eighth, as four runs came across for the Fleet adding to their 6-3 lead. Hutchins finished 1 for 3 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Lehr finished 3 for 4 with a RBI and a run scored.

Edmonton starter Chris Cullen (4-1) got his first loss going 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 8 hits, walking 4 and striking out 4. Brandon Camadrese went 3 innings in relief giving up 5 runs on 6 hits and walking 2. DH Chris Van Rossum went 1 for 4 with a 2 run HR off the scoreboard in right in the fourth inning. CF Ruddy Yan went 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Probable starters tomorrow for Edmonton TBA and for Long Beach Dusty Gober (4-6). Game time is 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

The bet is partially fulfilled...

This is Monica from the Edmonton front office. She is helping to fulfill a bet between Andrea (the Edmonton on-field hostess and their marketing person. She is wearing the Armada t-shirt at an Armada game in Long Beach. Thanks to her and keep checking back for the photo of Andrea in her new gear,,,

Armada 8 Cracker Cats 7

Just when you thought it was safe to assume that the Armada would not make it four walk offs in a row. They proved you wrong again. Six of their eight runs scored in the last two innings to shock the Cracker Cats and propel them into a four game winning streak winning 8-7.

Armada starter Rik Currier pitched another great game at Blair going 6 1/3 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walking 3 and striking out 7. Sean Buller relieved Currier in the sixth going 1 1/3 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits walking 1 and striking out 2. Wayne Foltin (2-0) got his second win in a row pitching 1 1/3 innings striking out 1.

Edmonton starter Jorge Depaula pitched a no decision going 7 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out 8. Danny Touchet pitched the eighth giving up 5 runs, 3 earned on 3 hits, walking 1. David Humen (3-4) got the loss going 1/3 inning giving up 1 run and walking 4.

Edmonton struck first with 3B Jose Morban's two run HR to right center in the third. Edmonton would lead 2-0 into the sixth when up 3-2 in the eighth, Morban put them ahead with his second HR a solo shot to left giving Edmonton a 4-2 lead. Morban finished 2 for 5. Edmonton would add to their lead in the eighth up 4-2. RF Ruddy Yan drove in two runs, one in the seventh and one in the eighth. DH Marcus Nettles drove in a run as did C Jordan Lundberg in the eighth. Edmonton would take a comfy lead 7-2 into the bottom of the eighth.

Long Beach down by five in the eighth. Backs almost against the wall. They quickly got two runners on with only one out. 3B Ryan Lehr and 1B Brett Flowers (pictured left) drove those runners in with base hits. LF Dan Trumble laid down a sac bunt that was fielded by Morban at third, but an arrant throw to first allowed Lehr and Flowers to score bringing the Fleet to within one. Newly acquired Utility player Ryan Brown pinch hit for C David Ramirez and sac flied in Trumble from third, who was there because of the error. Tied up at 7 going into the ninth.

After another shutout ninth the stage was set. SS Cleatus Davidson and CF Steve Moss reached base on back to back walks. DH Norm Hutchins would lay down a sac bunt to advance the runners to second and third. Lehr would be intentionally walked to load the bases. Flowers stepped up to the plate patient as ever getting the walk off, walk. Not as exciting as a hit, but it gets the job done as the Fleet win in walk off fashion AGAIN! FOUR IN A ROW!

Probable starters tomorrow for Edmonton Chris Cullen (4-0) and for Long Beach Ryan Claypool (6-7). Game time is at 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 1 ARMADA VS. CRACKER CATS LINEUP

CRACKER CATS 41-33 (19-11)

1. 6 DH MARCUS NETTLES
2. 23 RF RUDDY YAN
3. 30 LF CARLOS ARROYO
4. 28 3B JOSE MORBAN
5. 12 1B JOE JIANNETTI
6. 25 CF CHRIS VAN ROSSUM
7. 0 2B JOSE VALDEZ
8. 9 SS JUAN INFANTE
9. 19 C JORDAN LUNDBERG
38 P JORGE DEPAULA (1-1)


ARMADA 36-36 (14-14)

1. 11 RF JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 2 SS CLEATUS DAVIDSON
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 19 DH NORM HUTCHINS
5. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
6. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
7. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
8. 21 C DAVID RAMIREZ
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
12 P RIK CURRIER (6-5)

Armada 5 Vipers 4

Just when you thought things couldn't get any better for the Armada, they won again in walk off fashion in the ninth inning! A new hero brought in the winning run for the Fleet. We also saw an ejection of a Viper player and manager in the last inning arguing balls and strikes. Long Beach sweeps the Vipers 5-4 evening their overall and second half record.

Armada starter Andrew Layfield had another solid start for the Fleet going 7 innings giving up 4 runs on 10 hits, walking 2 and striking out 2. Justin Segal flew into the eighth giving up no runs on 2 hits. Nick Cavanagh (3-1) got his third win pitching a scoreless ninth giving up 1 hit and striking out 1. Vipers starter Joe Sergent pitched 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2. He left early after a ball went off his groin region. PJ Bevis (1-4) got the loss going 1 2/3 innings giving up 2 unearned runs on 6 hits.

Calgary started off their scoring with a solo HR from RF Darryl Brinkley to center field. Brinkley finished 2 for 5. Calgary would add to their lead with two base hit RBI's from SS Nelson Castro and CF Colin Moro in the second putting Calgary up 3-0. The Vipers would add one more in the fourth thanks to Castro's RBI double. Castro finished 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and a run scored.

The Armada bats would answer back in the second with a RBI double from 1B Brett Flowers and RBI from 2B Michael Glomb to cut the Viper lead 3-2. LF Dan Trumble drove in a run in the fourth with Calgary still up 4-3. Trumble would later tie the game at 4 with his base hit in the eighth driving in C Octavio Martinez. Trumble finished 3 for 4 on the Dan Trumble baseball card giveaway at Blair Field.

All the excitement took place in the ninth. Game tied at 4, top 9, Calgary has Moro on first and one out. Brinkley up to bat with a full count and Cavanagh pitching. Moro runs for second, a breaking ball on the inside corner called strike three and Martinez promptly guns down Moro at second to end the inning. Brinkley arguing the strike call is thrown out of the game. Calgary manager Mike Busch comes out to argue in his players defense and is also thrown out of the game. Busch would continue to stay and make contact with the umpire that might warrant a suspension.

Bottom nine, runners on the corners, two outs and 3B Ryan Lehr (pictured left) steps up to the plate. On a 1-1 pitch from Bevis, Lehr lines one into right center scoring CF Steve Moss from third to give the Armada another walk off win, third in a row to sweep the Vipers. I have never at any level, heard of or seen three walk off victories in a row by one team. EVER! What a game.

Probable starters tomorrow for Edmonton TBA and for Long Beach Rik Currier (6-5). Game time is 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 3 ARMADA VS. VIPERS LINEUP

VIPERS 40-32 (14-14)

1. 4 SS NELSON CASTRO
2. 20 CF COLIN MORO
3. 22 RF DARRYL BRINKLEY
4. 23 1B CARLOS DUNCAN
5. 24 DH FELIX JOSE
6. 9 2B JORGE MEJIA
7. 10 LF JORGE TANG
8. 27 3B TRAVIS DRADER
9. 34 C PATRICK ARLIS
12 P JOE SERGENT(3-2)


ARMADA 35-36 (13-14)

1. 11 RF JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 2 SS CLEATUS DAVIDSON
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 19 DH NORM HUTCHINS
5. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
6. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
7. 15 C OCTAVIO MARTINEZ
8. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
22 P ANDREW LAYFIELD (0-4)

Armada 6 Vipers 5

Another exciting finish to another great between these two ball clubs. Back and forth scoring again until the Armada, down by one in the ninth, came back to win 6-5 and continue their clutch hitting into the final game of this series.

Armada starter Steve Smyth went 3 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, walking two and striking out 4. He left after three due to a undisclosed reason. Nick Bierbrodt came on in the fourth, he finished going 3 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 2. Garrett Murdy made another appearance going 2 innings giving up 1 hit and striking out 1. Wayne Foltin (1-0) got his first win pitching a scoreless ninth striking out 2.

The Armada offense started in the first with DH Norm Hutchins driving in a run. RF Julian Williams would follow with a solo HR in the third. 1B Brett Flowers (the hero from yesterday) would drive in another run in the fourth. The bats remained silent until the ninth when 3B Ryan Lehr singled to right. Flowers would fly out, LF Dan Trumble would line a bullet off Calgary pitcher Reggie Rivard for an infield hit. That set the stage for C David Ramirez (pictured left) and his one out 2 run double to win the ball game!

Calgary starter Nathan Melek pitched a gem going 7 innings giving up 4 runs, 3 earned on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out 9. Rivard (4-1) got his first loss going 1 1/3 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. Vipers SS Nelson Castro went 1 for 4 with two runs scored and a steal. CF Colin Moro went 2 for 4 with a run scored. RF Darryl Brinkley, 1B Carlos Duncan and 3B Travis Drader each drove in a run.

Probable starters tomorrow for Calgary Joe Sergent (3-2) and for Long Beach Andrew Layfield (0-4). Game time is 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 2 ARMADA VS. VIPERS LINEUP

VIPERS 40-31 (14-13)

1. 4 SS NELSON CASTRO
2. 20 CF COLIN MORO
3. 22 RF DARRYL BRINKLEY
4. 23 1B CARLOS DUNCAN
5. 14 2B JORGE MEJIA
6. 10 LF JORGE TANG
7. 27 3B TRAVIS DRADER
8. 35 C KEVIN PRICE
9. 34 DH PATRICK ARLIS
32 P NATHAN MELEK (5-4)


ARMADA 34-36 (12-14)

1. 11 RF JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 2 SS CLEATUS DAVIDSON
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 19 DH NORM HUTCHINS
5. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
6. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
7. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
8. 21 C DAVID RAMIREZ
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
33 P STEVE SMYTH (0-0)

Armada 7 Vipers 6

A back and forth game until heroics in the ninth put a stop to the Armada's five game losing streak. Long Beach took a bite out of the Vipers for a close 7-6 victory at Blair Field.

The Fleet struck first with a base hit RBI by 2B Michael Glomb in the third scoring C Octavio Martinez on a close play at the plate. Calgary would answer in the fourth to tie 1-1 with LF Jorge Tang's base hit scoring 2B Jorge Mejia. Long Beach struck back with two in the bottom of the fourth thanks to base hit RBI by 1B Brett Flowers (pictured left) and LF Dan Trumble. This still went back and forth going into the fifth.

Calgary C Patrick Arlis scored on a ground out in the fifth. Long Beach would answer with a RBI double from DH Norm Hutchins. Armada up 4-2 end of five. Calgary tied the game at 4 with a two run HR from SS Nelson Castro in the sixth. Long Beach replied with a two RBI double from Glomb in the bottom of the sixth. Top seven Long Beach up 6-4, Vipers RF Darryl Brinkley drove in a run and Tang drove in the tying run in the eighth.

Bottom nine, game tied at 6. CF Steve Moss reached on a one out base hit to left. In a great at bat 3B Ryan Lehr reached first on a two out walk continuing his on base streak to 20 games. Flowers followed with two on and two outs with a 1-1 count pitch dropped into right field allowing Moss to come around to score the winning run from second.

Moss finished 2 for 4 with three runs scored, Flowers 2 for 5 with 2 RBI and a run scored, Martinez 2 for 3 with two runs scored, Trumble 2 for 2 with a RBI and a run scored, Glomb 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. Starter Dusty Gober pitched a no decision going 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits, walking 4 and striking out 4. Garrett Murdy pitched 1 inning giving up 1 run on 2 hits, walking 1 and striking out 1. Nick Cavanagh (2-1) got the win going 2 innings giving up 1 unearned run on 1 hit and striking out 2.

Vipers starter Dane Renkert pitched 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits, walking 1 and striking out 1. PJ Bevis (1-3) got the loss pitching 1 2/3 innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2. Tang finished 2 for 4 with 2 RBI, Castro 1 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored, Brinkley 2 for 4 with a RBI and a run scored, Arlis 1 for 2 with 3 runs scored.

Probable starters tomorrow for Calgary Nathan Melek (5-4) and for Long Beach Nick Bierbrodt (3-5). Game time is 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 1 ARMADA VS. VIPERS LINEUP

VIPERS 40-30 (14-12)

1. 4 SS NELSON CASTRO
2. 20 CF COLIN MORO
3. 22 RF DARRYL BRINKLEY
4. 23 1B CARLOS DUNCAN
5. 14 2B JORGE MEJIA
6. 10 LF JORGE TANG
7. 27 3B TRAVIS DRADER
8. 35 DH KEVIN PRICE
9. 34 C PATRICK ARLIS
42 P DANE RENKERT (0-2)


ARMADA 33-36 (11-14)

1. 11 RF JULIAN WILLIAMS
2. 2 SS CLEATUS DAVIDSON
3. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
4. 19 DH NORM HUTCHINS
5. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
6. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
7. 15 C OCTAVIO MARTINEZ
8. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
9. 3 2B MICHAEL GLOMB
9 P DUSTY GOBER (4-6)

Armada take 2 in Calgary

(LB)Ryan Claypool v (CGY)Dane Renkert


The Vipers came into the game on a five-game losing streak, and they made it six straight after the Armada won again, 5-2, in Calgary. Long Beach scored two in the third, one in the fourth and two in the sixth and used four pitchers to hold off the Vipers for the second night in a row.

Long Beach starting pitcher Ryan Claypool wanted the game to start, giving up a leadoff HR to Nelson Castro. Claypool got the next three batters out to end the inning, but Calgary led, 1-0.

Julian Williams singled in Michael Glomb to tie the game in the top of the third, then took advantage of a pass ball, which fell near the catcher Patrick Arlis. Williams came barreling down the line to score on the surprised catcher to give Long Beach the lead, 2-1.

Ryan Lehr led off the fourth and blasted a deep ball over the 400 mark on the center field wall to give the Crew a 3-1 lead.

Claypool got jammed up with bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth. That brought up the top of the order in Castro, the man who hit the leadoff HR. Castro sacrificed in Jorge Poo Tang with a fly ball to center field. That was all they could muster as Claypool shut down the rest of the Vipers.

Lehr reached first on a throwing error to lead off the sixth inning. Martinez singled Lehr over to second. Dan Trumble drove a triple down the left field line scoring a pair of runs, extending the Armada lead to 5-2.

Nick Bierbrodt, the Millikan alum, took the hill for the Armada in the sixth. Claypool threw five innings giving up five hits and two runs. He walked a pair and struck out three while throwing 91 pitches. Bierbrodt had a quick first inning on the hill, going 1-2-3 to take the Armada into the top of the seventh, up by two runs.

Bierbrodt threw two innings before being replaced by the side-winding submariner, Justin Segal. He ended the inning by fanning pinch hitter Darryl Brinkley on three straight pitches.

Long Beach went down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth and Wayne Foltin came into the game in the ninth. Foltin made his fourth appearance. He has one save and a 0.00 ERA going into the game and when he finished, he had his second save.

Long Beach plays tomorrow at 6:05 PM. You can hear the game at www.calgaryvipers.com

Stark Field in El Centro, CA August 3, 2008

The National Anthem being sung in the middle of the second inning. (not kidding)

From the ground box before first pitch.

Our view from the ground box.

The field itself looks as dry as the desert.

The tiny scoreboard in right field that was on, but not usable.

Armada tame the Vipers

It was a back and forth affair, but the Armada came out on the right end of this one, beating the Calgary Vipers 8-6 on their first game of the Canadian road trip.

The Armada sent nine men to the plate in the second inning Tuesday night. They faced Evan Gruesel, one of the top pitchers in the GBL for the fourth time this season. The Armada led 4-0 heading into the bottom of the second inning thanks to a Steve Moss two-run double. David Ramirez had an RBI double and Michael Glomb had an RBI single in the inning.

Long Beach sent pitching coach and starter Rik Currier to the mound. He struck out a pair in the first inning. Currier is 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA in three starts against Calgary this season. RF Norm Hutchins helped his pitcher out, making a diving catch off a hit from Jorge Tang to rob his counterpart for the second out. Currier ended the inning with another strikeout, his third in just two innings. Currier gave up a two-run home run to Carlos Duncan in the bottom of the third to cut the Armada lead in half.

Moss knocked a two-out single in the top of the fourth, bringing up Norm Hutchins, the cleanup hitter. Hutchins hit five HR’s over the course of two nights the last time Long Beach visited Calgary. He hit a single this time around, moving Moss over to third. Lehr struck out for the second time in the game, stranding two runners.

Collin Morrow doubled with one out in the bottom of the fourth bringing up Jorge Tang. Tang singled Morrow over to third. That brought up C Patrick Arlis. Arlis squeezed Morrow in off a nice bunt down the first base line. Nelson Castro knocked in Tang with a single to center. The game was tied at four going into the top of the fifth.

Castro blasted a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Calgary their first lead of the evening, 5-4. Travis Drader followed that up with a double. Duncan knocked in another run to extend the lead to 6-4. Felix Jose came to the plate with runners on the corners, two outs and a two-run lead. He popped out to SS Michael Glomb for the third out.

With two outs and Lehr on second in the seventh inning, Evan Gruesel was replaced by Jon Huizinga. Brett Flowers, the first batter that Huizinga faced, singled Lehr home to make it a 6-5 game. Flowers moved to third off a hit by Martinez. Flowers scored on a pass ball with Dan Trumble at the plate. Martinez was tagged out at the plate off a beautiful throw by the center fielder, Colin Moro. That kept the game tied at six going into the seventh inning stretch.

Garrett Murdy came into the game to relieve Currier in the bottom of the seventh. Currier ended the game with seven strikeouts, throwing 117 pitches and facing 32 batters. Murdy kept Calgary off the board and the Armada went into the top of the eighth knotted at six.

The score remained that way heading into the ninth when P.J. Bevis took the mound and faced Norm Hutchins to start things off. Hutchins crushed his 14th HR of the season, this one over the center field wall to give the Armada the lead once again, 7-6. Flowers had an infield hit but got on base on a throwing error. Martinez hit an infield single and advanced to second on an error by Jorge Mejia. Flowers scored off a sacrifice fly by Trumble, extending the lead to 8-6. Martinez moved to third on the play. The Crew headed to the bottom of the ninth with the Armada leading by a pair.

The newest member of the Armada, pitcher Wayne Foltin, took the hill in the ninth for Manager Steve Yeager. Foltin joined the team this past Thursday after playing for Winnipeg of the Northern League. Murdy didn’t give up a run or a hit in his two innings of work.

Foltin kept the Snakes off the board and the Fleet get their first win in the three-game series, 8-6. The teams hookup again Wednesday and Thursday, with both starts coming at 6 PM local time. To listen to the games go to www.calgaryvipers.com

Armada 4 Scorpions 5

It was a tough road trip for Long Beach. Shutout in the first game. Nearly coming back in the second game with emotions rising. Beating Yuma in the third by a run. And having the lead only to see it fall in the ninth at El Centro losing game four 5-4.

Armada starter Andrew Layfield (pictured left) pitched another great game for the Fleet. Getting the no decision he went 6 innings with a four to three lead. Wayne Foltin and Sean Buller pitched the seventh and eight innings respectively for Long Beach giving up no runs. Nick Cavanagh (1-1) pitched the ninth giving up the two winning runs on a base hit from 3B Henry Calderon.

Armada RF Norm Hutchins started the offense for the Armada, tying the game at two with his two run HR to deep right. 1B Brett Flowers would drive in 3B Ryan Lehr that same inning. LF Dan Trumble scored on a sac fly from SS Michael Glomb. Hutchins finished 1 for 4, Flowers 1 for 3, Lehr 2 for 4, Trumble 1 for 4 and Glomb 0 for 3.

Scorpions starter Evan White pitched 7 innings for a no decision for Yuma. Yuma had struck first with a sac fly RBI from 1B AJ Valentine. CF Yosvany Almario scored in the first also on a fielding error. Almario would later double in a run to come within one of the Armada. Almario finished 2 for 4. In the ninth 3B Henry Calderon, who has been on fire against the Fleet, drove in both base runners to give the Scorpions the 5-4.

Probable starters for Long Beach and Calgary are TBA. Game 1 is Tuesday August 5. You can listen to the Vipers radio feed at calgaryvipers.com.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

Armada 4 Scorpions 3

If you thought last night was a wild one, tonight's was even better. Another close one came down to the wire with clutch hits and a play at the plate in the ninth inning! The game was tied until the eighth when Long Beach scored on an error by Yuma to go on for the victory 4-3.

Armada starter Jonathan Figueroa (5-0) got his fifth win for the Fleet pitching 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4. Nick Bierbrodt pitched in relief going 1 1/3 innings giving up 1 hit and 1 walk. Nick Cavanagh got his league leading 12th save pitching the ninth striking out 1.

The Fleet had timely hitting and fantastic defense in this one. 3B Ryan Lehr made a diving play to stop a base hit for Yuma. RF Norm Hutchins made a running catch at the right field line. LF Dan Trumble (pictured left) made a diving catch to his right in left and gunned down 2B Hector Bernal (pinch running in the ninth with one out) at home plate to secure the lead for the Armada.

Lehr finished the game 2 for 4 as did Hutchins with two runs scored. C Octavio Martinez with the tag at home of Bernal from Trumble also had himself a game with his bat. He went 2 for 4 with a double and a 2 run HR. 1B Brett Flowers and 2B Julian Williams both went 1 for 3.

Yuma starter Mike Esposito pitched a no decision going 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, walking 2 and striking out 2. Reliever Jean Carlos Guillen (3-1) gave up the unearned run in the eighth to get his first loss of the season. Yuma 3B Henry Calderon went 1 for 3 with a 2 run HR in the first. 2B Yosvany Almario went 3 for 4 with a run scored. DH Jose Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Probable starters tomorrow for Long Beach Andrew Layfield (0-3) and for Yuma TBA. Game time is at 6:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 3 ARMADA VS. SCORPIONS LINEUP

ARMADA

1. 3 SS MICHAEL GLOMB
2. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
3. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
4. 19 RF NORM HUTCHINS
5. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
6. 15 C OCTAVIO MARTINEZ
7. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
8. 11 2B JULIAN WILLIAMS
9. 21 DH DAVID RAMIREZ
18 P JONATHAN FIGUEROA (4-0)


SCORPIONS

1. 9 2B YOSVANY ALMARIO
2. 14 3B HENRY CALDERON
3. 12 LF RICH JANEWAY
4. 11 RF MAIKEL JOVA
5. 33 1B AJ VALENTINE
6. 30 DH JOSE RODRIGUEZ
7. 6 SS RYAN BARBA
8. 21 C PETE FARINA
9. 7 LF TOSHINARI IREI
19 P MIKE ESPOSITO (5-4)

Armada 5 Scorpions 6

Long Beach had a great start to Game 2 in Yuma. They striked first in the first and second inning with three runs. Yuma answered to come within one. Yuma tied with Long Beach in the eighth went ahead thanks to a HR and base hit to drive in two. Long Beach would come within one in the ninth, but fall short 6-5.

Armada starter Dusty Gober (pictured left) pitched another great game. Getting a no decision, Gober went 7 innings giving up 4 runs, 2 earned on 6 hits, walking 3 and striking out 5. Justin Segal (1-3) came on in relief in the eighth giving up 2 runs and getting the loss. A tough outing all around for the Armada who lead and had the game tied for most of Game 2.

C Octavio Martinez drove in the first two runs in the first. Martinez went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI. 3B Ryan Lehr had himself a game going 2 for 4 with a run driven in and a run scored. 1B Brett Flowers went 2 for 3 driving in RF Norm Hutchins in the ninth. That inning saw a valiant comeback attempt by the Fleet that involved a two out RBI and Martinez getting hit in the head clearing the benches, but no fight occurred only words exchanged.

Scorpions starter Roger Luque pitched a no decision going 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3. Mike Martin (2-1) got the win pitching 2 innings giving up no runs keeping the game tied at 4. James Garcia got his 8th save in the ninth that involved a first pitch plunking of Martinez.

Yuma got a pair of solo HR from LF Rich Janeway and 1B AJ Valentine. SS Ryan Barba went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Tomorrows starters for Long Beach Jonathan Figueroa (4-0) and for Yuma TBA. Game time is at 7:05pm.

Photo by: Mark Mauno

GAME 2 ARMADA VS. SCORPIONS LINEUP

ARMADA

1. 3 SS MICHAEL GLOMB
2. 6 CF STEVE MOSS
3. 19 RF NORM HUTCHINS
4. 14 3B RYAN LEHR
5. 25 1B BRETT FLOWERS
6. 15 DH OCTAVIO MARTINEZ
7. 34 LF DAN TRUMBLE
8. 11 2B JULIAN WILLIAMS
9. 21 C DAVID RAMIREZ
9 P DUSTY GOBER (4-5)



SCORPIONS

1. 9 CF YOSVANY ALMARIO
2. 14 3B HENRY CALDERON
3. 12 LF RICH JANEWAY
4. 11 RF MAIKEL JOVA
5. 33 1B AJ VALENTINE
6. 30 DH JOSE RODRIGUEZ
7. 3 2B HECTOR BERNAL
8. 6 SS RYAN BARBA
9. 21 C PETE FARINA
22 P ROGER LUQUE (4-3)