Baseball: Chris Gonzalez lifts Cleveland past Chatsworth, 3-2

There was lots of drama on Friday in the West Valley League game between Chatsworth and host Cleveland. And it was junior outfielder Chris Gonzalez of Cleveland playing a starring role.

In the seventh inning of a 2-2 tie, Gonzalez gunned down a Chatsworth runner at the plate trying to score the tie-breaking run. And in the bottom of the eighth, it was Gonzalez delivering a game-winning walk-off single for a 3-2 Cleveland victory.

“It was a great game,” said Cleveland Coach Scott Drootin, whose surprising Cavaliers are tied for first place with El Camino Real.

The Cavaliers faced three of Chatsworth’s best pitchers on Friday _ Tommy Palomera, Josh Garcia and Niko Switalla. But it was Ben Kaser throwing seven innings and Sammy Villa coming in to get the save in the eighth so that Cleveland was able to prevail.

El Camino Real’s Jordan Berg threw a complete game, striking out six and allowing four hits in a 6-2 win over Birmingham. Jesus Nunez had three RBI.

Granada Hills defeated Taft, 5-0, behind a four-hitter from Gerardo Ramirez. Matt Nash had a triple and single.

In the East Valley League, North Hollywood defeated Grant, 5-4. Alex Sepulveda threw a complete game. Chris Lung had three hits. Leo Ortega had two RBI. Verdugo Hills defeated Arleta, 18-9. Troy Richards was three for four with four RBI, including a home run. Matt Zavala also had three hits.

Poly defeated Chavez, 8-2. Andres Hernandez had two hits.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer