Jimmy Brakka’s first-inning three-run dinger went a long way for San Marcos on Friday, giving the Royals a lead they would never relinquish in a 7-4 Channel League victory at Dos Pueblos.
The Royals, who still have three league games remaining on their schedule, led by as many as five runs on two different occasions. David Kim and Shane Wieland shared the pitching duties and didn’t allow the Chargers to score more than two runs in an inning even though DP collected nine hits.
The Royals recorded 14 hits, none bigger than Brakka’s home run. DP answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to make it 3-1 but San Marcos made it 6-1 in the top of the fourth before DP scored again.
Gabe Speier came into pitch with one out in the fourth inning and was able to slow down San Marcos’ offense. Speier allowed one run in the seventh inning to give the Royals a 7-2 lead but the Chargers failed to score more than one run in an inning until two runs in the seventh.
Corey Micheel and Steven Reveles had multi-hit games for Dos Pueblos.
“We had no timely hits. Our two-out hitting was poor today,” said Chargers head coach Nate Mendoza, whose team now needs to beat San Marcos on Wednesday to have any shot at making the postseason.
It does not look good for the defending league champions, who fall to 4-7. San Marcos stands at 5-4 after winning its fourth straight league game.
Along with the one game with the Chargers on Wednesday, San Marcos will play on Tuesday and Thursday against Ventura.
SAN MARCOS 7, DOS PUEBLOS 4
SM 300 300 1 – 7 13 1
DP 100 100 2 – 4 9 1
SM – Kim, Wieland(5), and RMoore. DP – Tirador, Speier(4), and Salas. 2b – RMoore, Patolo, Reveles, 3b – Micheel, Drewish. HR – Brakka (1st inning, 2 on)
