Early deficit too much for Ballers in fourth straight loss
Ybarra hits league-leading 22nd homer, extends hit streak
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
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0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 2 |
By Gareth Kwok
OAKLAND, CA – An early six-run deficit was too much for the Oakland Ballers (0-4, 22-30) to overcome as the Modesto Roadsters (4-0, 30-22) defeated Oakland 9-5 in the series opener from Raimondi Park.
Modesto rushed out to a 7-1 lead through three innings after a three-run first and a four-run third against starting right-hander Aidan Risse (L, 2-6). Osiris Johnson hit a three-run homer to open the scoring in the first, one of his two homers on the night.
After Jaden Collura answered for the Ballers with a solo homer in the second, the Roadsters scored four runs on three hits and three walks in the third to take a six-run lead.
Risse finished the night going just three innings, allowing seven runs on six hits and four walks with one strikeout.
Oakland responded with two runs in the fourth and two runs in the fifth. Paul Winland came inches away from a grand slam with a two-run double off the top of the wall in the fourth. Jeter Ybarra slammed an opposite-field two-run homer in the fifth, his league-leading 22nd of the season, to pull the Ballers within two runs. Ybarra improved his hit streak to 18 games with a pair of hits.
In the sixth, Johnson struck again with a two-run homer to push the Modesto lead back to four. The Oakland native drove in a game-high five runs on the night.
Modesto starting right-hander Devyn Hernandez (W, 5-1) pitched six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts to earn the win. Hernandez remains undefeated against the Ballers this season.
Blake Smith and Dawson Goines combined for three scoreless innings and six strikeouts out of the Modesto bullpen to seal the series-opening victory for the Roadsters.
The Ballers continue their three-game home series against the Modesto Roadsters on Saturday, July 18. First pitch is scheduled for 4:35 p.m from Raimondi Park. Fans can tune in beginning at 4:15 p.m on the Oakland Ballers YouTube Channel and HomeTeam Network.
