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Longest Game for Yolo ends in series defeat

3 hour 40 minute contest ends in 9-14 loss

Longest Game for Yolo ends in series defeat
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Oakland, Ca.--Designated hitter JP Gates went five-for-five with four RBI's and three runs scored while first baseman Noah Martinez had a three-run double and a two-run homer totalling five RBI's as they led the Oakland Ballers (24-18) to a 14-9 win over the Yolo High Wheelers (18-21) on Sunday afternoon at Raimondi Park.  

 
Yolo for the third straight game scored four runs in the second inning.  Designated hitter Justin Kirby (6) hit a solo homer with one out to left field which made it 1-0.  Following him, third baseman Kirkland Banks doubled to left while left fielder Kyle Guerra had a bunt single.  Two batters later, center fielder Brayland Skinner reached on a fielding error.  That extended the inning for shortstop Braylin Marine who capped it with a two-run single.  Marine had three RBI's giving him eight runs batted in over the last two games.
 
However, the lead was short-lived as Oakland responded with four runs in the third.  The game-tying hit was a two-run homer to left-center by third baseman Dondrei Hubbard (11).  Oakland took the lead for good in the fourth, scoring six times.  Left fielder Trevor Halsema walked with the bases loaded which gave Oakland a 5-4 lead.  Gates followed with a two-run single making it 7-4.  Martinez delivered the damaging blow with the three-run double to center making it 10-4 Ballers.
 
The High Wheelers struck back in the fifth, plating five.  Skinner walked leading off the inning, he stole second and went to third on a wild pitch.  Marine grounded out to short, scoring Skinner, cutting the Oakland lead to 10-5.  With two outs and the bases loaded, Banks (6) blasted a Grand Slam to left on the first pitch from Ballers starter Christian Cosby and the lead was trimmed to 10-9.  However, that was the last excitement for Yolo.
 
Oakland added a run in the fifth on a double by Gates, a run in the sixth on a homer by second baseman Jaylen Smith (7), and a two-run homer in the seventh from Martinez (7). 
 
Cosby worked 4 2/3 innings.  He issued seven hits, nine runs (six earned) and struck out ten.  Over his four games against Yolo he has 40 strikeouts.  Zach St. Pierre (1-2) was the second Ballers pitcher and earned the win.
 
The loss went to Yolo starter JC Ariza (0-3).  The right-hander gave up seven runs (all earned) in 3 1/3 innings.
 
Yolo has Monday off and will start an eight-game/six-day series at Dobbins Stadium against the Rocky Mountain Vibes.  Tuesday's game will commence at 4:30 with Yolo righty Cameron Repetti on the hill.  Rocky Mountain has not announced its starter.
 
HIGH TALES
Marine has reached base safely in his last 25 games
 
The 3:40 minute contest is the longest for Yolo
 
Banks Grand Slam was the third hit by the High Wheelers this year.  The others belong to Bobby Lada, and Braedon Blackford.  Banks homered in each of the last two games in this series.
 
Kirby homered twice yesterday which gives him three over the last two games
 
Yolo finished with six homers over the last two games of the Oakland-based contests
 
Oakland leads the season series 11-7