Outlaws ambush Cowtippers to start home stretch
As the calendar turns to August, the BDBL schedule turns to more series and the return of divisional play. The Flagstaff Outlaws have a tough schedule, facing six teams that are above .500 and who are all in the playoff race. First up, the Cowtippers from Salem come calling to Purina Park.
Game 1: Strasburg v. Sale – The Cowtippers jump out to an early lead when Trea Turner doubles in Eugenio Suarez in the top of the second inning. In the bottom of the second inning, things go south for Salem. As Stephen Strasburg gets Joe Panik to fly out to end the inning, Strasburg comes back to the dugout clutching his ribs. ‘Tipper trainers rush around trying to get Strasburg right, but he can’t continue. Making matters worse, Salem wasn’t carrying any real long relievers.
Mike Montgomery came out to relieve Stras, but he ends up loading the bases and walking Aaron Judge to force in the tying run. In the fifth, Aaron Judge homers to give the Outlaws a 2-1 lead.
In the sixth, Gary Sanchez homers off of Chris Sale to tie the game, but Flagstaff quickly counters with a Lane Adams pinch-hit bomb and a Paul Goldschmidt RBI single. Goldy adds more insurance in the form of a eighth-inning sac fly to put the Outlaws up, 5-2.
Blake Parker trots out of the Outlaw bullpen and works around Sanchez single to lock down the 5-2 victory for the Outlaws.
W: Sale (16-3)
L: Iglesias (3-9)
Sv: Parker (36)
HRs: SAL – Sanchez (23); FLG – Judge (28), Adams (5).
Game 2: Quintana v. Greinke – After having to burn out their bullpen, Salem turns to Jose Quintana to put up a long, quality effort. Quintana manages to throw 108 pitches over six innings, limiting Flagstaff to just two hits and a single run over that span. However, Zack Greinke is better, throwing seven innings of shutout ball. also giving up just two hits.
With the 1-0 lead, the Outlaws add on with Travis Shaw solo homer in the bottom of the 7th. That insurance run would end up being key in the ninth as Salem rallies.
Jake McGee starts the frame to face Jose Ramirez, who manages to draw a walk. Parker trots in gives up a walk to pinch hitter Yoenis Cespedes. Gary Sanchez follows with a line drive single, but Ramirez holds at third with no outs. Andrew Benintendi steps to the plate, but he grounds a ball to shortstop and Elvis Andrus turns a 6-4-3 double play. Ramirez scores and the tying run is now just 90 feet from scoring. But Trea Turner flies out to left and Flagstaff escapes, 2-1.
W: Greinke (16-4)
L: Quintana (8-6)
Sv: Parker (37)
HRs: SAL – none; FLG – Judge (29), Shaw (12).
Game 3: Gray v. Ramirez – Andrew Benitendi rips a single to right and runners on first and second try to take extra bases. Judge throws behind the play, nailing Mat Joyce at third. Salem scores a run, but any further damage is stopped.
In the third inning, Flagstaff manages to load the bases against Sonny Gray. With one out, Gray gets Judge to strike out. Khris Davis follows a draws a walk to force in the tying run. Travis Shaw, who has slumped most of the season, steps in and cranks a grand slam, hitting his second homer of the series, to break the game open.
J.C. Ramirez keeps Salem in check until the seventh when back-to-back doubles end his night. Bryan Shaw relieves and gets the next three batters, but consecutive ground outs let another run score and Salem closes within two.
In the bottom of the seventh, Pedro Strop gets two outs, but tires and ends up walking the next three batters. Mike Montgomery relives Strop and walks the next batter, giving Flagstaff a three-run lead at 6-3.
New Outlaw relieve Matt Albers struggles in his second appearance, giving up a walk and having a runner reach on an error. But a timely 3-6-3 double play ends the threat and gets Albers off the hook.
For the third straight game, Blake Parker is tasked with a save situation and he faces the minimum, working around a single, to end the game. Flagstaff 6, Salem 3.
W: Ramirez (6-2)
L: Gray (12-7)
Sv: Parker (38)
HRs: SAL – none; FLG – Shaw (13).
Game 4: Leake v. Wacha – Mike Leake is asked to take a huge hit for team, as he ends up throwing 180 pitches in a complete-game loss. He strikes out 10, but gives up 21 hits and 12 runs.
Meanwhile, Michael Wacha paces the Outlaws for the sweep with seven innings of one-run ball. Seven hits and three walks were scattered through the night.
Lane Adams gave George Springer a night off and responds with a perfect night at the plate, going 5-for-5 with a walk, scoring twice and driving in three. Elvis Andrus contributed four hits and four runs as well.
Flagstaff gets the sweep with a 12-2 blowout.
W: Wacha (8-3)
L: Leake (9-9)
Sv: None
HRs: SAL – none; FLG – Adams (6).