By Gabe Schapiro
Vallejo, CA – The Vallejo Admirals (11-24) outhit the San Rafael Pacifics (24-11) on Wednesday night, but they couldn’t capitalize on their chances, losing a pitchers duel, 4-1.
Admirals starter David Dinelli was once again very good, tossing seven-and-two-thirds innings, scattering nine hits and three earned runs, while striking out five and walking two. Unfortunately, he was also once again the tough-luck loser. Remarkably, this marks the sixth time this season that Dinelli allowed three earned runs or less and took the loss.
Dinelli was great, but San Rafael’s Celson Polanco was just a bit better. The big right-hander allowed 10 hits during his complete game effort, but pounded the strike zone and consistently worked his way out of jams. He allowed just the one run, walked none, and struck out a whopping 13 Vallejo hitters.
Dinelli was great, but San Rafael’s Celson Polanco was just a bit better. The big right-hander allowed 10 hits during his complete game effort, but pounded the strike zone and consistently worked his way out of jams. He allowed just the one run, walked none, and struck out a whopping 13 Vallejo hitters.
After a scoreless first inning, the Pacifics jumped out in front in the second.
Jake Taylor led off the frame, sending a deep fly ball to right field that missed being a home run by a few inches, instead banging off of the top of the wall, sending Taylor all the way around the third for a triple. Jeremy Williams followed with a routine ground out, but that was enough to score Taylor.
The three-bagger would be San Rafael’s only hit until the sixth inning.
Meanwhile, as was the trend for much of the night, the Admirals kept getting men on base, but kept missing the clutch it. In the fifth, they finally broke through.
Newcomer Josh Cunningham and shortstop Gadiel Baez led off the frame with back-to-back singles. One batter later, Tim Williams slapped a single into left field, scoring Cunningham and tying the game up at 1-1.
That would be all the runs that Vallejo could muster, however, as Polanco allowed just three more hits over the final four scoreless innings.
Meanwhile, the Pacifics didn’t let the tie stand for long.
In the very next inning, David Kiriakos reached on an error, later scoring what would prove to be the winning run on a sac fly from Danny Gonzalez.
San Rafael kept adding to their lead, adding single runs in the seventh and eighth thanks to RBI singles from Kiriakos and Ricky Gingras.
In the ninth, Cunningham was hit by a pitch to briefly give the Admirals hope, but Polanco struck out Baez swinging to end it.
Vallejo will be back at tonight, for the third and final game of this series against the Pacifics, and the final home game of the season. The action gets underway at 7:07 PM.
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