Valley Dodgers Suffer 11-3 Setback in NBC Tournament

When the Valley Dodgers learned that pitcher Steve Dunn was about to sign with the California Angels, they altered their pitching plans to employ him one last time before he lost his amateur status.

Like everything else, that moved failed the Dodgers in Thursday’s opening round of the National Baseball Congress state tournament in San Bernardino. Dunn surrendered six runs in three innings as the Dodgers lost to the Orange County A’s, 11-3, in a game shortened to seven innings because of a six-run mercy rule.

The Dodgers (15-4) dropped into the losers’ bracket of the eight-team, double-elimination tournament and will play the San Diego Stars at 10 a.m. today. The winner of the tournament automatically qualifies for the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan., later this month.

San Diego lost to the South Bay Blue Jays, 8-7, on Thursday. The Dodgers, who share first place with the Stars in the Golden State League, split four games with San Diego last weekend.

The Dodgers expected to pitch Fred Riscen on Thursday until learning of Dunn’s imminent departure. The left-hander from Chapman College and Chaminade High is expected to sign today. Riscen is today’s scheduled starter against the Stars.

Dunn (3-2) took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning when the A’s struck for four runs on three hits and an error. Dunn failed to retire the first two batters in the fourth and gave way to Pablo Suarez, who allowed a walk, two singles, and a home run to the four batters he faced.

Before Jim Bodack retired the side, the A’s had a six-run inning and a 10-2 lead. Dunn allowed six runs on eight hits and a walk, and Bodack yielded one run on four hits in three innings.

Mike Cruz had four stolen bases and extended his hitting streak to 12 games for the Dodgers.