Villa Park’s Blyleven Rocked by Glendora

Todd Blyleven suffered his worst defeat of the season as Glendora High School defeated Villa Park, 9-2, in a first-round 4-A playoff game Friday at Glendora.

Glendora clearly was not impressed by Blyleven’s 8-2 record or his 1.26 earned-run average. The Tartans (22-6) hit three home runs in the third inning off Blyleven, who had given up only one home run this season.

“I guess I supplied the power to their bats,” Blyleven said.

Blyleven unraveled early and Villa Park simply couldn’t match Glendora’s free-swinging hitters.

“I felt I had my best stuff,” said Blyleven. “They are just a good-hitting team. I put the ball in good spots, they just put the bat on the ball.”

Blyleven lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight earned runs on seven hits.

Glendora capitalized on his only walk and an error to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Tartans went ahead, 3-0, in the second on doubles by Mike Rummens and Jerry Lewallen.

Aaron Boone’s two-run home run in the third cut the Spartans’ deficit to 3-2, but in the bottom of the inning, Glendora scored five times.

Glendora’s Curt Gossett (9-1) pitched a four-hitter and struck out 10.

Villa Park ends its season at 16-9-1 record.