Gomez Redeems Himself by Stepping Up for Poly

Miguel Gomez atoned for an error with a game-tying, two-run triple, then scored the winning run on Danny Cardenas’ infield hit as Poly High defeated Birmingham, 7-6, in a City Championship first-round playoff game Friday at Poly.

Gomez, the Parrots’ shortstop, allowed Jose Avitia’s two-out grounder to go off his glove in the sixth and Patrick Roark scored, giving the No. 11-seeded Patriots (20-11) a 5-4 lead. Raul Campos followed with a run-scoring single.

With two out in the Poly sixth, Gomez hit a fly ball that barely eluded left fielder Efrain Cervantes for a triple, driving in pinch-runner Steve Diaz and Zack Jones-Sims.

Cardenas then hit a grounder past charging third baseman Luis Parra. Campos, Birmingham’s shortstop, fielded the ball, but his throw to first was too late and Gomez scored.

Joe Hampel (7-4) pitched a seven-hitter, striking out six. The senior left-hander held Birmingham hitless in four innings but allowed four runs in the third and two in the sixth.

No. 6-seeded Poly (21-6-1) will host No. 14-seeded Carson in a quarterfinal Tuesday. The Colts upset No. 3-seeded South Gate, 3-1.