4 Gulls’ Pitchers Combine on 5-3 Victory Over Giants

Although the team used four pitchers, the Ventura County Gulls managed to hang on for a 5-3 California League win over the Fresno Giants on Saturday night.

Enrique Burgos, who combined on a no-hitter with Tom Wasilewski in his last start earlier this week, lasted less than four innings Saturday when a blister on his pitching hand forced him from the game with the Gulls holding a 5-2 lead. Reliever Dave Walsh (4-3) allowed an unearned run in 2 innings to gain the victory with the help of Wasilewski and William Shanks.

Shanks worked the final two innings to record his 18th save of the season.

Fresno starter Dennis Cook (12-7) took the loss despite striking out 12 batters in 7 innings. He allowed all five runs on seven hits and three walks.

The Gulls scored twice in the first on Santiago Garcia’s seventh home run of the season. His drive cleared the left-field wall after a single by Mike Jones.

The Gulls increased their lead to 5-0 with a three-run third despite collecting just two hits in the inning. Kevin Batiste was hit by a pitch to start the inning and moved to second on a throwing error by Cook. Eric Yelding then bunted and both runners were safe when Batiste beat the throw to third base.

Jones followed with a double that scored both runners, and he came home two outs later when Greg Myers hit a ground-rule double.

The Giants scored twice off Burgos in the bottom of the third before the blister forced him to the bench. He allowed four hits and a walk in 3 innings. Three pitchers later the Gulls nailed down the win.

The victory stopped a three-game losing streak for the Gulls, who are 68-65 with nine games left in the season. The Gulls play a doubleheader in Fresno today and conclude the season with seven games this week against the Palm Springs Angels.