Gulls Beat First-Place Angels, 3-2

At this time last season, Scott Marrett was at the top of the class at Pepperdine University. The right-handed pitcher had a record of 14-0 and was an All-American.

As a member of the Palm Springs Angels this season, Marrett is at the top of the Class-A California League. He is part of a rotation that has pitched Palm Springs into an early lead in the league’s Southern Division.

The Ventura County Gulls figure to give the Angels a summer-long battle for the division title, however. The race--in which the Gulls trail Palm Springs by 2 1/2 games--may be as close as the Gulls’ 3-2 win over Palm Springs and Marrett at Ventura College on Friday.

Marrett and Gulls ace Todd Stottlemyre went head to head, and Stottlemyre (4-1) came out on top because Marrett suffered a couple of bad breaks. Marrett (2-2) allowed only two hits in 5 innings but took the loss when reliever Mike Butler gave up a run-scoring single to Luis Reyna, the first batter he faced.

“I knew from the way he set the tempo early that we weren’t going to come out and score five or six runs off him,” Gulls Manager Glenn Ezell said of Marrett. “He has a nice sinking fastball and good breaking pitch.”

The Gulls scored twice off Marrett in the second despite getting only one hit, a bloop single by Ken Kinnard. The hit followed a walk to Reyna and was followed by a passed ball by Angel catcher Eric Pappas. Greg Myers and Omar Malave followed with ground outs to second base, each of which scored a run.

“After the success Scotty had in college, he’s had to adjust to getting a bad break once in awhile,” Angels Manager Tom Kotchman said. “He’s learning to handle adversity. I’m very pleased with him, actually.

“The guys who adjust to the 3 1/2 commuters and eating in the greasy spoons stay around. Those who don’t will have to work in the real world.”

Life in the minors appears to fit Stottlemyre like a silk suit. The 20-year-old sailed along until the seventh when Kent Anderson hit a two-run home run with one out. After Stacey Pettis singled, Stottlemyre was replaced by William Shanks, who retired all seven batters he faced to record his second save.

“Todd didn’t have his best fastball today, but he threw his curve and change-up with confidence,” Ezell said. “I’m tickled about that.”

Reyna’s game-winning hit followed a walk to Sandy Guerrero and a single by Domingo Martinez that sent Guerrero to third.

Kotchman knew Ventura County had a team batting average of higher than .300. But he likes the way his pitching staff matches up.

“All I’ve heard is war stories about the home runs these guys hit,” he said, “It’s gonna be strength against strength all season.”

Ezell said the Gulls need no incentive to play well against Palm Springs.

“The players know how important a series is with the first-place team. I don’t need to bring it to their attention.”

Notes

Scott Marrett attended Taft and Calabassas high schools. . . . Two players joined the Gulls this week, outfielder Mike Jones and pitcher David Wells. Jones, a 6-2 right-handed hitter, replaces Darryl Landrum, who is out two weeks with a broken thumb. Jones batted .282 at Florence of the Class-A South Atlantic League last season. Wells is a 6-2 left-hander who was 3-2 with an ERA of 2.59 at Knoxville of the Double-A Southern League in 1984. The 22-year-old, who missed all of last season due to elbow surgery, is in Ventura County on a rehabilitation assignment. . . . Palm Springs first baseman Ty Van Burkleo is a 1980 graduate of Canoga Park High. . . . Palm Springs center fielder Stacey Pettis is the younger brother of California Angel Gary Pettis. Although the younger Pettis has exceptional speed, Gull catcher Greg Myers threw him out attempting to steal Friday. . . . Tim Rypien, a Gulls’ reserve catcher, was brought up to Knoxville (AA) but strictly as a bullpen catcher. Myers preferred to remain in Ventura County to be able to play every day. . . . Left-handed relief pitcher Steve Mumaw has moved from the Gulls to Florence (A). . . . The Angels returned to Palm Springs after Friday’s game and will make the 3 1/2-hour drive to Ventura again for Sunday’s doubleheader. Two nights in a hotel would be too costly, according to Manager Tom Kotchman.