By Daniel Berrera
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – The Vallejo Admirals squandered an seven-run lead and fell to the San Rafael Pacifics 10-9 after a walk off homerun from Ricky Gingras in the bottom of the ninth inning. A productive outing from starter David Dinelli was wasted as the Admirals’ bullpen troubles continued.
The Admirals started off the game with two runs in the first inning, as an error turned into one run followed by a Tim Williams solo homerun later in the inning. San Rafael got one run back in the bottom half of the inning though as Zack Pace scored from third base on a double play ground ball.
From there Vallejo dominated most of the game, scoring three runs in the second, first on a two RBI double by Gadiel Baez, then from an RBI single by Darian Sandford that drove Baez in.
As the Admirals continued to add to their lead in the later innings their starter David Dinelli quelled any threats that the Pacifics might have mustered. San Rafael stranded five runners through the first six innings in which Dinelli pitched, and the Vallejo right hander left the game having allowed only four runs while striking out four batters.
It was in the sixth inning that the trouble started for Dinelli, who gave up three runs in the frame. Maikel Jova led off with a single, which was followed by two more singles from Daniel Gonzalez and Gingras to load the bases. Michael McClellan was then hit by a pitch bringing in one run. Two fielder’s choice ground balls plated the other two runners cutting the Admirals’ lead to 8-4.
Vallejo picked up an insurance run in the top half of the seventh inning before Emmanuel Sanchez came on in relief in the bottom half of the inning and gave up five runs, all earned, before being taken out of the game in favor of Pedro Perez.
By then it was too late for the Admirals though as the game was tied 9-9. Vallejo stranded Alian Silva in the top half of the ninth inning, setting the stage for Gingras’ heroics in the bottom of the inning. With one out, the Pacifics’ catcher launched a homerun beyond the right field fence for the victory, leaving the Admirals with more questions than answers as they head into tomorrow’s contest trying to avoid a sweep on the road. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Arnold Park.
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