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Islandian Pro Alliance
Sunday, July 15, 2001
Ruthlandian Union - North Division
Gray Shuts Out Blasters on 6 Hits
Tyrone Gray had his good stuff today as he chalked up his IPA-best third shutout of the season and he did it against one of the best teams in the RU North Division, the tough Colfax Blasters. Gray (6-10 4.09) blanked them 1-0 on a 6-hitter for only his 6th triumph of the year. The 34-year-old righty struck out seven and walked just one in a superlative performance. The only score of the game came in the opening frame when center fielder Ronnie Gilbert (.257) led off the game with a single and hustled to third on right fielder Art Atkins' (.315) single. Gilbert rode home on left fielder Quincy Peterson's (.287) deep fly to center. Southpaw Robbie Smith (6-5 3.09) was just about as stingy with runs as Gray. He scattered eight hits and also went the distance.
It was the fourth loss in succession for Colfax (49-41) and the All-Stars third win in a row. The Blasters are now tied for first in the division, pending the outcome of Far Mountain's (49-41) clash with the Vipers in Valmara. Elnora (37-54) is in the cellar, 12.5 games behind Colfax.
Vipers Keep Redhawks Out of First Place
It was a devastating defeat for Far Mountain. The Valmara Vipers stunned them with a 4-run uprising in the last of the eighth to take a 4-2 victory and keep the Redhawks from taking over the top spot in the Ruthlandian Union North race. Up until then Vance Mitchell had shut them out on three hits. Catcher Yoshi Motsuzuki (.284) hit his 9th homer to lead off the inning. Mitchell retired the next two batters, but then gave up two singles to put runners on the corners. Skipper Alex Groveland then summoned his bullpen ace, Doc Rutledge, to the mound. Rutledge was promptly tagged for a game-winning three-run shot by third baseman Rickey O'Reilly (.283). Starter Todd Turner (9-7 4.18) registered the win, working into the ninth and allowing six hits and two runs, one earned. Turner twirled a strong game, fanning six and walking one. Andre Trepanier (3-3 4.25) took over in the top of the ninth with one out and a runner on first. He gave up a single, putting runners on first and second, but got his 2nd save by retiring the last two batters on fly balls. Redhawk second baseman Nick Calhoun (.205) had two hits, including a solo homer in the fifth frame. Valmara also had the advantage in hits 9 to 7. Mitchell (4-4 3.88) took the loss and Rutledge (6-6 3.22) blew the save.
Since both the top two clubs suffered setbacks, first place Coffax (49-41) is still a half-game up on runner-up Far Mountain (49-42). Valmara (44-46) is still in the hunt in fifth place, but only 5 games off the pace.
V's Beat A's 6-4 in Opener
In the first game of a doubleheader at Silver River Stadium in Volusia, the hometown Vigilantes beat the Glasco Athletics 6-4. The V's rode a 6-0 lead they had built up over the first six innings for the victory. The A's rallied for four runs in the seventh, Volusia's fine relief specialist, Ricky Moreno (4-2 1.94), held them scoreless the last two innings to garner his 13th save. The win went to starter Manny Seguin (2-1 3.78), who went seven innings and allowed all four runs and a dozen hits. Losing it was Glasco starter Bill Darby (4-6 4.57). He was ripped for six runs and eight hits in five-plus innings. The A's topped the V's 14-10 in total hits. Third baseman Gabie Barksdale (.304) sparked the winners with 3-4 and two RBIs with some help from second baseman Hoppy Hill (.234) with two runs batted in. First baseman Alejandro Salazar (.294) hit the only homer in the game, number 10 for him this year. Glasco was led by shortstop Kyle Ballentine (.309) with 2-4 and a pair of RBIs and center fielder Chet Reynolds (.309) with 2-5 and a run batted in.
A's Romp, Wallop V's 13-5 in Nightcap
The Glasco A's tore into Volusia pitching for 17 hits in a 13-5 romp in the nightcap to divide the twinbill. Right fielder Lee McDougall (.275) and left fielder Ox Beauvais ((.342) cracked homers to top the hit parade, McDougall's 6th and Beauvais' 18th. First baseman Maury Smith (.353) had a perfect day with 3-for-3, scoring twice and driving in a pair. Five Athletics had two hits each. Starter Jerry Smith (11-9 3.92) notched his fourth win in his last five decisions, working six innings and giving up four runs. Arnie McFalls (5-4 5.15) logged his 2nd save with three good innings, allowing two hits and a run. Kit Kivett (9-4 3.67) lost for the first time in his last five decisions. He was roughed up for six runs in two innings. The Vigilantes were paced by center fielder Alex Luna (.282) with three hits and two RBIs, catcher Jorge Rosado (.318) with 2-for-4 and two runs batted in and shortstop Scooter Perez (.383), the top hitter in the Ruthlandian Union, with a .383 mark. Perez had two hits and scored twice. Volusia had 11 hits all total.
By spliting the doubleheader third place Glasco (46-43) gained a half-game in the race with first place Colfax (49-41) and second place Far Mountain (49-42). The A's are only 2.5 games out. Volusia (46-45) also picked up ground and are in the fourth spot, just 3.5 games behind.
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