Report by the Armada’s David Foley
The Tucson Toros built up an early four run lead, and that was all they would need to hold off the Long Beach Armada 4-2 in the second of a three game series at Blair Field. The Armada is now 0-2 in the second half and 20-20 on the season.
Dan Knox (3-0) stayed perfect for Tucson, while Ben Fox (3-3) took the loss for the Armada.
Long Beach’s late game struggles continued on Saturday night. They are now 2-18 when trailing after seven innings, and 0-19 when behind after eight.
The Toros opened the scoring in the third. With runners on the corners and one out All-Star Skip Adams deposited an 0-2 pitch over the wall in left for his team-leading seventh home run of the season giving the Toros a 3-0 lead.
Tucson added another run in the fourth. With one out, Mayobanex Santana and Curt Miaso each picked up base hits to puts runners on first and third. Luis Apodaca then hit a shallow fly in foul territory that Armada second baseman Steve Young was able to get to, but he fell over making the catch allowing Santana to get home and give Tucson a four run cushion.
Fox settled down after giving up those four runs, making it through seven innings. He allowed seven hits, three walks, and had five strikeouts.
The Armada finally solved Toros starter Dan Knox in the fifth inning, after being held hitless through the first four. Daryl Jones led off with a single, and was promptly brought home by a deep Napoleon Calzado double off the wall in center. Andy Bouchie followed up with a base hit to move Calzado to third, and Casey Garrison brought him home on a shallow bloop single to center. Young ended the inning by hitting into a 5-4-3 double play, but the Armada cut Tucson’s lead in half, 4-2.
Long Beach threatened in the sixth, putting runners on the corners for Calzado, but he grounded out to short to end the inning. That would be the last action of the night for Knox, who gave up six hits and two runs, with four strikeouts. Jordan Muir came in to pitch the seventh and struck out the side in order.
The comeback continued in the eighth for the Armada. With one out Josh Womack singled to right center, then stole second three pitches later. That was as close as he would get to scoring though as Jonny Caplan struck out, and Omar Bramasco grounded out to third to end the threat.
Reid Price pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save of the season for Tucson, with the final out coming on a fantastic play by shortstop Ryan Priddy, throwing out Matt Hirsh after fielding a sharp grounder from the outfield grass.
The last game of the series will be on Sunday at 5:05 pm. Former Major Leaguer Hideki Irabu will take the hill for the Armada as they look to pick up their first win of the second half.