Glendale Angelenos loses focus, game to Ventura

GLENDALE — After trailing all game, the Glendale Angelenos brought the tying run to the plate in both of the final two innings.

Despite out hitting their opposition, the Angelenos never could find the one big hit they needed to overcome their defensive mistakes in a 5-3 California Collegiate Summer League loss to the Ventura Pirates at Stengel Field Friday night.

In all, Glendale posted nine hits to Ventura’s six but was hampered by six errors, including two in the first inning that gave the Pirates an immediate 3-0 advantage.

Angelenos Coach Tony Riviera credited the sloppy play to a fatigue and a lack of a focus.

“I think guys aren’t focused right now,” said Riviera, who was unsure of where the loss brought his team’s record. “We made so many mental mistakes tonight.

“We had errors that caused some problems and led to some runs.”

Quickly finding itself in a hole, the Angelenos spent the rest of the game trying to amend for their mistakes and were aided by a trio of Ventura errors. Pirates defensive miscues in the bottom of the fifth and seventh innings led to two Glendale runs and brought the score to 5-3.

Having struggled on defense all night, the Angelenos had their first chance to create some momentum when they headed into the dugout after ending the top of the eighth inning on a strikeout-throw-out double play on a failed steal attempt.

Glendale relief pitcher Clayton Voechting, one of few bright spots in the game for the Angelenos, and catcher Edgar Montes executed the play to end the frame. Voechting allowed just one base runner on an infield single and struck out nine batters in four innings.

John Schwer looked to build on the play in the bottom half of the eighth when he crushed a two-out double into the right-center field gap. Schwer was quickly erased when he was thrown out by about three steps trying to steal third.

Julian Jarrard (two for four) brought the tying run to the plate again for the Angelenos with an one out single in the ninth, but was stranded after the Ventura closer Jake Sweitch struck out the side.

Things started going the Angelenos’ way in the bottom of the fifth, as they scored twice on just one hit. Dylan Trimarchi and Ryan Barbarin were put aboard with one out on a hit by pitch and walk, respectively.

Bobby Stahel (three for four, two stolen bases and a run batted in) provided the only hit of the inning when he chopped a ball to short that took a bad hop at the lip of the infield grass. The ball just skipped past the second baseman’s head and went into center field to score Trimarchi.

Despite the loss, Riviera remains confident looking ahead for the Angelenos, who will get some rest as their next game isn’t until Tuesday.

“We’re still in a good position to make the playoffs and win a championship,” he said.