Ballers barraged by Roadsters in Saturday night loss
McKenzie homers twice, drives in four in defeat
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 14 | 2 |
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3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
By Gareth Kwok
OAKLAND, CA – The Oakland Ballers could not suppress the Modesto Roadsters on Saturday night in an 18-12 loss at Raimondi Park to even the series a game apiece.
Seven of Modesto's (17-12) 13 hits left the ballpark, including three homers from Kingston Liniak.
After Jeter Ybarra's three-run homer in the first inning, Modesto scored 10 runs from the second inning to the fourth inning. Liniak hit the first of his three home runs with a two-run shot in the second and Logan Sutter followed with a three-run shot three batters later. Bryce Cannon and Liniak both homered in the third and Liniak's two-run single in the fourth gave the Roadsters a 10-3 lead.
Starting right-hander Griffin Smith (L, 0-1) made his professional debut for the Ballers but was tagged for nine runs on eight hits and three walks in 3.2 innings with four strikeouts to receive the loss. The Appleton, WI native just completed his college career at Washington State.
Oakland (13-16) responded in the bottom of the fourth with four runs across. Two runs scored on a fielder's choice throwing error before T.J. McKenzie launched the first of his two homers with a two-run blast to left-center to bring the Ballers within just three.
However, the Roadsters scored eight more runs in the seventh and eighth innings with the six of the runs driven in on homers. Hayden Dunhurst hit a three-run shot in the seventh, Tyler Williams followed with a two-run homer two batters later and Liniak hit a solo homer in the eighth.
Aaron Moreno (W, 3-1) collected the win in relief for Modesto after dealing 3.2 innings with three strikeouts.
Trailing by as many as 10 in the eighth, Oakland hit three more homers late as Noah Blythe hit a solo homer, McKenzie hit a two-run shot and Cam Bufford hit a two-run homer to give the Ballers five homers on the day.
The Ballers will go for the series win Sunday afternoon in the rubber match as they conclude their three-game home series against the Modesto Roadsters. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m from Raimondi Park. Fans can tune in beginning at 12:50 p.m on the Oakland Ballers YouTube Channel and HomeTeam Network.
