Nearly a thousand fans were out on a strange Tuesday night—they came to see the Armada play the Chico Outlaws, they came for Michael Jackson night, and they almost got a thriller as the Fleet just couldn’t quite push over the hump in a 5-4 loss.  The Outlaws got up early, dinging Irabu for three runs in the first (including a run brought in by a wild pitch), and then two more in the fourth inning.  Darly Jones and Andy Bouchie did everything they could, but the Armada pulled within one run in the bottom of the fourth, and then couldn’t get the final clutch RBI to nab the win.

In the second Jones led things off with a single before advancing to second on a past ball, and Bouchie doubled to drive him in.  Jones started off the bottom of the fourth with a double and was driven in once again by a Bouchie double to make it 5-2. Jonny Kaplan then followed with a double of his own to cut into the lead even more at 5-3. Steve Young came through with a clutch single to drive in Kaplan with two outs, inching the Armada to within one.

The loss drops Irabu (who struck out nine in six innings and who looked good overall) to 4-1 on the season.  The Fleet will be back in action against Chico tonight at 7:05pm.                                                       

The very talented MJ impersonator.

The very talented MJ impersonator distracting the heck out of the Chico pitcher.

Friend of the site (and an assistant coach for Poly varsity baseball next season) John Martin won a Moonwalk-off during the sixth inning.  This is true.  He requested that we not show his face. (Also true: the guy he beat is Prospector Pete–this is why we love Long Beach.)

Photos by Shar Higa