They could have used a metronome at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium on Friday, because the Santa Barbara Foresters couldn’t seem to find any sort of rhythm in a three-hour loss to the visiting So Cal Black Sox, 8-3.
“Our tempo on the mound was very bad. We were a step slow and totally out of sync in every facet of the game,” said manager Bill Pintard.
The Foresters (17-7, 9-3) had their worst pitching performance of the season, issuing nine walks and allowing seven hits. The Black Sox walked five times and scored all eight of their runs with two outs.
“Two-out walks are karmic. If you walk guys with two outs it’ll come back to bite you,” said Pintard.
Starter Chris Joyce lasted just three innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits and four walks. He reached 50 pitches before the second inning was through. Matt Stropoli made his debut and was strong in relief, pitching two innings of no-hit ball with four strikeouts. John Lambert also made his debut on the mound for Santa Barbara, taking the loss after giving up four runs (three earned) in 1.2 innings before Kevin Dickey came in and finished things off.
Offensively, James Wharton continued to lead the Foresters. He blasted a solo homer to left field and went 2-for-3 on the day. Beau Maggi’s first hit as a Forester produced an RBI and designate hitter David Harris drove in the other, but the Black Sox pitchers were in control most of the way.
“You’ve got to give them credit. They had some guys who could really chuck it. They threw some 90s at us, with one guy who was throwing 93 to 94 (mph), but I just didn’t think we competed,” said Pintard.
The first two outs of the bottom of the third were back-to-back pickoffs at first base by Black Sox starter Doug Wogee. Pintard said he thought that Wogee balked on both, but it was certainly a sign of a rhythmically challenged day for the hosts, who are normally exceptional base-runners.
Saturday should provide a good opportunity to forget about the loss, as the Foresters head down to Pershing Park to face the San Jose Seals in their annual Fourth of July game. Admission is free, and the game will feature a beer garden for fans 21 and over. All games are broadcast on AM 1490 KIST and www.sbforesters.org.
