Exchanging Numbers
As has become custom for the Outlaws in this series — they came into the game with a gaudy .687 batting average (11-for-16) when trailing or tied on the scoreboard — the early deficit was
swept aside with three runs in the fourth inning on Eric Pringle's leadoff double, Steve Boggs' ensuing RBI single and Jesse Kovacs' well-struck home run in pitcher-friendly Blair Field.
It marked the third time in three games that sequence had taken place, but in a first, the Armada responded to take a lead of their own in the fourth when Matt Campbell allowed a Kirk Gross single, put Ramirez on with a hit-by-pitch, gave up a run on a Jorge Araiza single and two more on Johnny Kaplan's btriple deep to right field, putting the score at 4-3.
Surely enough, Chico performed its come-from-behind routine with a little help from pitcher Dustin Gober a few minutes ago when Craig Kuzmic reached base after he was hit by a pitch, advanced to second with a Daniel Nava walk and then third with a walk to Scott Dragicevich. Adam Nikolic was brought in for his third relief appearance of the series and watched Gober's earned run come home on Jason Van Meetren's fielder's choice en route to retiring the side.