Stallions fall in extras to Sanger Apaches
Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune
Madera South’s Jorge Gutierrez throws a pitch during Tuesday’s loss to Sanger. Gutierrez tossed 6 2/3 innings of two hit ball without allowing a run.
SANGER — In a classic pitcher’s dual that saw zeroes on the scoreboard for the first nine innings, the Sanger Apaches pulled out a run in the bottom of the 10th for a 1-0 victory over the Madera South Stallions baseball team.
Madera South’s pair of pitchers Jorge Gutierrez and Johnathan Spraggins held the Apaches to just four hits, but a combined eight walks hurt the pitch count, and ultimately, led to the only run of the game.
“Jorge has been pitching big-time all year,” head coach Alan Sandoval said. “He just found out he was going to pitch about five minutes before pregame. He just dealt. We should have won the game for him.”
Meanwhile, Madera South banged out five hits and had enough baserunners, but went 0-for-7 with runners ins coring position and left 12 runners on base.
“Leaving runners on base is still our M.O.,” Sandoval said. “Every game in the CMAC is a battle. We have to try to get them at home to salvage the series. We have to get better.”
Murf Gray and Xavier Cantu each had two hits for the Stallions. However, just one other Stallion — Brian Monges — got a hit.
Gutierrez and Sanger pitcher Jorge Ortiz kept putting zeroes on the scoreboard.
The Apaches put two runners in scoring position, including a runner on third with one out in the third, over Gutierrez’s 6 2/3 innings.
With the runner at third, Gutierrez calmly struck out Sanger’s No. 1 and No. 2 batter to end the inning.
Spraggins came in the game and retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth innings before running into trouble in the ninth.
Madera South put runners on base in six of the 10 innings.
Monges reached on a one-out error in the third, but a flyout ended the threat.
Murf Gray led off the fourth with a single. Cantu followed with another single to put two on. However, the next two batters were retired to end the inning.
Gray came close to putting the Stallions on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. He hit a 1-1 pitch to deep center. However, the ball was caught against the centerfield fence for the second out. Cantu followed with a single and went to second on a passed ball, but a strikeout ended the threat.
Madera South had its best chance to score in the eighth. With one out, Monges singled and stole second. After a lineout, Gray singled to advance pinch-runner Joseph Cosio to third. However, Gray was forced out at second to end the inning.
Sanger led off the ninth with a double to left-centerfield. After an intentional walk, Sanger hit a grounder back to Spraggins, who threw to second for the first out of the inning with the runner taking third.
The next batter hit a grounder to first. First baseman Aiden Sua collected the ball and threw to the plate. Catcher Cantu placed to tag on the incoming Sanger runner for the second out of the inning.
Another walk loaded the bases, but Spraggins got a grounder to first to end the inning.
With two outs in the top of the 10th, Cosio and Gilbert Moisa drew walks, but a popout ended the threat.
Sanger opened the bottom of the 10th with a walk. Sanger tried a bunt down the third base line. Third baseman Gray tried a diving catch, but the ball fell and his throw to first was a little late to put two on.
After an intentional walk, Sanger hit a sharp grounder to short. The ball was bobbled and the throw to the plate was just late to end the game.
