Washington-Mexico game suspended
0812_SPT_ponyleague_01 Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Washington's Manager Rick Hernberger and catcher Kevin Patterson talk to pitcher Garrett Briant in the second inning of the game on Sunday, August 11 against Mexico.
0812_SPT_ponyleague_02 Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Washington congratulates Kurt Adkins after he hit a home run in the second inning of the game against Mexico on Sunday, August 11.
0812_SPT_ponyleague_03 Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Shortly after a homerun by teammate Kurt Adkins, Garret Briant hit another homerun in the second inning against Mexico.
0812_SPT_ponyleague_04 Katie Roupe / Observer-Reporter Washington's first baseman Mac Chambers catches a flyball for an out in the first inning of the game against Mexico.
It’s difficult enough to win games in the Pony League World Series under normal circumstances. It’s nearly impossible when a team gives up runs that are bowed and wrapped in a gift box.
Los Michos, Sinaloa, Mexico was the benificiaries of eight walks and seven wild pitches and built an 11-2 lead in the sixth inning when rain suspended its elimination game against Washington Sunday at Lew Hays Pony Field in Washington Park.
The two teams return at 10 this morning to complete the game. The regular schedule of games will follow after that. Lightning also stopped the elimination game between Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and Bay County, Mich, for 30 minutes. The game resumed and Bayamon won the game, 17-2, in five innings.
Lightning stopped the Washington game, then a downpour forced the suspension.
“I told our kids that this is a great experience,” said Washington manager Rick Herrnberger. “Don’t hang your heads. You never know what could happen. I’ve seen seven, eight runs scored in the bottom of an inning.”
On Friday, Mon-Yough rallied from a 13-6 deficit to defeat Bay County, Mich, 16-14.
Washington starting pitcher Garrett Briant lasted 5 2/3 innings, allowing 10 runs on eight hits and walking eight. He also threw six of the seven wild pitches.
Los Michos, Sinaloa, Mexico scored in every inning but the first and had put up five runs in the top of the sixth when a lightning strike forced the stoppage. Mexico scored once in the second, third and fifth innings and three in the fourth that produced a 5-2 lead.
“If you look at it, after four innings it was (5-2),” Herrnberger said. “Then they started to get their batters on. A walk, passed ball and, all of a sudden, they are on third base.”
Los Michos, Sinaloa, Mexico broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning, scoring three times and taking advantage of three wild pitches by Briant. Antonio Lopez drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a single to right field by Gerardo Romero. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch before Eduardo Luque singled in Lopez.
Romero came home on another wild pitch and Javier Lopez singled in Luque to make it 5-2.
“We made a few mistakes,” Herrnberger said. “We let the ball get away from us a little.”
Los Michos scored first, pushing across a run in the second inning. Luis Lara put down a bunt along third base and beat it out for an infield single. Lara stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. Gerardo Romero knocked him in with a solid single to left field.
Mexico made it 2-0 in the second by scoring a run without a hit. Gerardo Quinonez walked, stole second, took third on a dropped third strike and came home on a suicide squeeze bunt by Alonso Villareal.
Washington quickly tied the game with two solo home runs in the bottom of the inning. Kurt Adkins sent one over the left field fence with one out and Briant smacked one over the right field fence one out later.
“That gave us momentum,” Herrnberger said. “Unfortunately, they got three in the fourth.”
Seven out of the nine players in Mexico’s lineup had at least one RBI.