Report by the Armada’s Josh Feldman
The Long Beach Armada spoiled the home opener for the expansion Victoria Seals and improved to 4-4 on the season with a 6-3 win at Royal Athletic Park on Friday.
Scott Lonergan (1-1) picked up the win, pitching seven complete innings and giving up three runs off six hits. Lonergan struck out five and hit two batters.
Daryl Jones provided the offense on a 3-for-4 night where he hit his first homerun of the season and an RBI double. He finished the night with three RBI.
The Armada scored first on the solo homerun by Jones in the top of the second inning. The Seals (1-7) responded in the bottom of the second. Jamar Hill doubled to get into scoring position. Hill attempted to steal third, and a high throw from catcher Andy Bouchie that flew into left field allowed Hill to score on the error to tie the game, 1-1.
The Seals then jumped ahead in the third inning. Wilver Perez hit a solo homerun to center field, and Brian Rios singled to drive in Sergio Pedroza to give the Seals a 3-1 lead.
Long Beach came back with a run in the fifth, when Bouchie scored on a sacrifice fly from Josh Womack to pull Long Beach within a run, 3-2. One inning later, Daryl Jones doubled to score Chad Miller to tied the game, 3-3.
The Armada jumped ahead in the seventh. Bouchie led off the frame with a walk and after Steve Young bunted Bouchie to second base, Womack drew a walk. Casey Garrison drove in Bouchie, and Womack scored on a single by Chad Miller, making it 5-3 Long Beach. Jones drove in his third run of the game later that inning, singling to score Garrison from third. The final RBI of the night from Jones cashed in Garrison as the Armada stretched its lead to 6-3.
Sean Buller pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Ryne Tacker closed the book in the ninth inning for the save (2).
Mike Reeves (0-3) took the loss pitching an inning and giving up three runs in the seventh.
The Armada continues its three-game series with the Seals on Saturday, May 30 at 7:05pm PT. LHP Keith Ramsey (0-1) takes the mound against RHP Eduardo Baeza. The broadcast can be heard live through www.longbeacharmada.com with the pre-game show starting at 6:50pm PT.