Seven-Run First Spurs Ballers to 14-2 Win
Oakland Evens Series at 2-2
By Nevada Cullen
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Darryl Buggs II blasted a three-run moonshot to left field in the first inning of Friday's contest against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. When it landed, it ballooned the Ballers' lead to 7-0.
After the fever dream of a first inning, the Ballers went on to win 14-2. Zach St. Pierre earned his fifth win of the year for Oakland, striking out a season-high eight hitters over six innings of one-run ball.
Tyler Lozano returned from injury with a bang. Oakland's catcher tied his career high with 4 RBI, including a no-doubt home run in the fourth inning, in his first action in two weeks.
Nick Leehey opened the seven-run first with an RBI triple, the first three-bagger of his career. Two batters later, Daniel Harris IV doubled the lead with a run-scoring knock into right field.
In his first at bat back from injury, Lozano stung a single through the left side to increase the Oakland advantage to 4-0. Finally, Buggs, the ninth batter of the inning, clubbed his second dinger of the series to put the Ballers in seventh heaven.
Leehey and Cam Bufford drove in a couple more runs in the second. Bufford picked up an RBI single in the fourth, and Lozano brought Bufford home with his two-run no-doubter.
Oakland's third and final long ball came in the seventh inning. Tremayne Cobb Jr. socked a solo shot to left center for his fifth big fly of the campaign.
All nine Ballers recorded a hit over the course of the game. Tanner Shears tossed a scoreless ninth and punched out a pair in his home debut for Oakland.
First pitch for game five against the Sky Sox is scheduled for 4:35 p.m. PDT Saturday. As always, you can listen to the action on 860 AM The Answer and on the Oakland Ballers YouTube channel.
