Griffons defeat Generals for eighth straight victory

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
John Wagle catches a fly in left field during Tuesday's game against the Ozark Generals. --Photos By Ralph Pokorny/Daily Mail

The Nevada Griffons made their return to Lyons Stadium Tuesday night after more than a week on the road and came out of the night with their eighth straight win as they defeated the Ozark Generals by a final score of 8-5 in an up-and-down battle.

"We're going to continue to wear the pinstripes and hopefully it will continue to pay off for us," Griffons head coach Ryan Mansfield said. "If It's not broke, there's no reason to fix it."

The Griffons came into the night hoping to extend a seven-game winning streak and extend their season record over the Generals to 5-0. That wasn't all that was at stake on the night, however, as the Griffons came into the night at 15-8 in league play and 16-10 overall, half a game ahead of the Sedalia Bombers for the MINK League South Division lead.

Griffons third baseman Matt McLaughlin, who led the team with three hits, including a solo home run in the eighth inning, fielded a grounder and throws to first for an out during Tuesday's game against the Ozark Generals.

The Generals came into the game hitting just .187 against the Griffons this year and Nevada starter Tyler Jinks (0-1) was quickly able to lower his lofty 8.34 ERA as he kept the Generals off the board through the first two frames.

The Griffons got off to a quick start in their efforts to remain undefeated against the Generals as they got on the board first in the home half of the second inning. The Griffons took advantage of three solid base hits and a costly Generals error to plate two runs, taking a 2-0 lead into the top of the third.

The Generals quickly came back and tied the game in the top of the third as Dave Weyer hit an RBI double into the alley in right center that was quickly followed just three batters later with another RBI double by Brian Propst. That wasn't the end of the scoring in the frame, however, as Evan Kohli sent the very next pitch sailing over the right field fence for a three-run home run to give the Generals a 5-2 lead heading into the home half of the frame.

The Generals threatened to add to that lead in the top of the fourth as Casey Trevarthen was able to get into scoring position with just one out. He was quickly erased as he was picked off at second base, however, and Jinks quickly got out of the inning with no damage.

The Griffons didn't take much time in getting back into the game as they got RBI doubles out of both Tyler Smith and John Wagle. Wagle's double over the head of Trevarthen brought home two runs to tie the score at 5-5 heading into the top of the fifth.

The Generals once again threatened to retake control of the game in the top of the fifth as they were once again able to get runners at the corners with just one out. Jinks was able to make a quick recovery, however, putting Ozark down with no damage once again.

Generals starter Dan Kickham gave up the mound in the home half of the fifth to Alec Clifton. Kickham left the contest giving up five runs on eight hits with no walks and had two wild pitches.

The Griffons wasted little time in getting to Clifton in the fifth inning as Peter Barrows blasted his 13th extra-base hit of the year over the head of Trevarthen -- an RBI triple that brought in Taylor House. The Griffons later added one more run in the frame to take a 7-5 lead heading to the sixth.

Jinks gave up the mound in the eighth inning to Texas State left-hander Bryant Rutledge. Rutledge came into the contest with a record of 1-0 and a 1.72 ERA in six appearances this season, but struggled in his only inning of work, allowing the Generals to load the bases with just one out.

Rutledge was able to maintain his composure, however, as he worked his way out of the jam and shut the Generals down with no damage as he struck out Trevarthen to end the inning.

Jinks finished out his night with a strong outing, giving up five runs -- four of which were earned -- on eight hits with five strikeouts and three walks in seven innings.

"That is probably the best ball game that Mr. Jinks has thrown all summer," Mansfield said. "He did very well for us tonight and gave a solid seven innings, so I'm very pleased with that."

The Generals brought their third pitcher of the night into the game in the home half of the eighth inning as Thomas Kellner took over on the hill in his second appearance this year against the Griffons.

Matt McLaughlin got the Griffons another insurance run in the eighth inning as he blasted a two-out solo home run down the left field line for his third hit of the game. The homer gave the Griffons an 8-5 lead heading into the top of the ninth inning.

That lead proved to be more than the Griffons needed to pick up the victory as Nick Phillips came on and shut the Generals down without allowing a run. That solid performance in the closing frame gave Phillips his eighth save of the year and was good enough to earn the Griffons an 8-5 win for their eighth consecutive victory.

With that win, the Griffons improve to 17-10 on the year, 16-9 in League play and will hope to add another win to their longest streak of the year and stay atop the MINK League South Division standings tonight as they square off against the Generals for the sixth time this season at 7 p.m., inside Lyons Stadium.

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