Report by the Armada’s Josh Feldman

Long Beach broke open a tied ballgame with a  4-run ninth inning, getting the franchises first ever win at Telus Field in Edmonton, 11-7, on Monday night.  The Armada went 0-7 in Telus Field in 2008.

The teams were tied, 7-7, going into the ninth inning.  Capitals closer Hector Almonte (0-1) entered the game, and prompty retired lead-off hitter Matt Edgecombe.  Jonny Kaplan singled to get on base and stole second.  After Andy Bouchie struck out, Steve Young singled to drive in Kaplan and give the Armada the lead, 8-7.  Josh Womack drew an intentional walk, and Omar Bramasco made the Caps pay with a 2-RBI double.  Casey Garrison then singled to score Bramasco, giving the Armada the 11-7 lead.

Long Beach got on the board first with a 4-run first inning.  Once again, third baseman Chad Miller put Long Beach on the board, blasting a 2-RBI double to score shortstop Omar Bramasco and left fielder Casey Garrison.  First baseman Daryl Jones drove in Miller with a double of his own, and then scored on a wild pitch.  

Rusty Jones (1-0) earned the win in 1.2 innings of relief work.  Ryne Tacker pitched the ninth inning for Long Beach, striking out two and hitting two batters.  Starter Jamie Arneson was chased from the game after 3.1 innings.  He gave up 5 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits, walking two and striking out 5 in his first start of the year.  

The Armada continues its three-game series with the Capitals on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:00pm PT (7:00pm in Edmonton). RHP Jose Lima (0-1) makes his second start of 2009. LHP Ben Fox is scheduled to start the final game of the series.  The game broadcast can be heard live through www.longbeacharmada.com with the pre-game show starting at 5:45pm PT.