Grays Harbor Ends Vigilantes’ Win Streak

The Vigilantes knew their current winning streak, which stood at five, would have to end sometime.

But they did not envision Wednesday’s scenario--an 11-5 bashing by Grays Harbor in front of an announced crowd of 1,829 at Saddleback College.

Their hottest pitcher, Mike Smith, who began the night with the third-best earned-run average among Western Baseball League pitchers (2.65), could not get out of the second, giving up six runs on three hits. Before Wednesday night, Smith had given up two earned runs or less in his last nine games.

And Grays Harbor wound up with 14 hits, three each by Randy Warner (who was a home run shy of the cycle), Tim McDonnell and David Sanchez.

Despite the loss, Mission Viejo, now 8-7 in the second half, remained tied with Sonoma County for first in the South Division. Grays Harbor, last in the North Division, improved to 6-9.

Willie Mosher, who enjoyed his second straight three-hit game, led off with a home run in the bottom of the first off Gull starter Tandy Charley (3-0). It was Mosher’s third homer on the season and second in two nights.

In the second, however, Smith could not find the strike zone.

With one out, the Gulls got two singles and three consecutive walks, the last two to Sanchez and Rich Valero, forcing in two runs. Al Mealing then hammered a grand slam to right.

It would take Smith 45 pitches to get out of the second, and Manager Buck Rodgers decided Smith had had enough.

Dan Ehler took over for Smith in the third, and despite giving up five runs he also gave the bullpen a needed night off. “We’re still looking for a fifth starter down the road and this gave Dan a chance to work on some of the things we talked about,” Rodgers said.

Trailing, 10-1, in the fourth, Mission Viejo struck back. A one-out error by McDonnell on Chris Briones’ grounder to third opened the door to a three-run inning, the last one coming on Mosher’s double to left-center that scored Mike Cowell from first.

It was Mosher’s sixth straight hit and eighth consecutive time reaching base safely over the past two games. The streak ended in the sixth, when Mosher struck out.

Charley went the distance for Grays Harbor, giving up five runs (one earned) and 10 hits.