First inning escapes Ballers in Tuesday night loss to Range Riders
Oakland allows six first inning runs in defeat
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
|
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6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | X | 8 | 4 | 0 |
By Gareth Kwok
KALISPELL, MT – A rough first inning doomed the Oakland Ballers who dropped their first game of a three-game road series to the Glacier Range Riders by a final score of 8-2 on Tuesday night from Glacier Bank Park.
Oakland (6-7) started the scoring just three batters in on an RBI groundout from Jeter Ybarra to score Tremayne Cobb Jr. from third. Ybarra continues to lead the Ballers with 16 RBI.
However, Ballers starting left-hander Joel Tornero (L, 0-1) faced eight batters and recorded only one out as he allowed six walks and hit one batter, prompting an early call to the bullpen.
Glacier (10-3) outfielder Kyle Ashworth hit a two-run double to give the Range Riders a 6-1 lead after the first.
In just his second relief appearance as a Baller, Michael Riley pitched four scoreless innings with five strikeouts to provide some much needed length for the staff.
Glacier starting right-hander Evan Langston (W, 2-1) spun a quality start with six innings of two-run ball while giving up seven hits and two walks and two strikeouts to earn the win.
Oakland inched closer in the sixth on an RBI single from Cam Bufford to bring home Jake Allgeyer. The Ballers put two men on with two out but a fielder's choice grounder ended the inning.
Jake Tirk struck out three in 1.2 innings despite surrendering a two-run homer to Jake Millan to extend the Glacier lead to six. Matt Lozovoy struck out four in two innings of relief in his second appearance of the season.
The Ballers continue their three-game road series on Wednesday night against the Glacier Range Riders. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 p.m from Glacier Bank Park. Fans can tune in beginning at 5:20 pm on the Oakland Ballers YouTube Channel.
