6/5/2013-
By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer
LAS VEGAS, N.M. -- It was a low scoring affair in Las Vegas Tuesday night, with the pitching dominating early and Taos coming away with a 6-3 victory over the Train Robbers.
Angel Gonzales pitched what Blizzard manager Matt Leahy called "five strong innings," shutting the Robbers down through four while only allowing one unearned run in the fifth when Jimmy Haskell singled, advanced on an error, then, two outs later, came home on an Andrew Lopez single.
Gonzalez might have gone further, but tweaked a muscle in the bottom of the fifth while helping Taos go up 3-1.
The inning started when Brennan May singled, Jimmy Martinez walked and Gonzales singled, scoring May. Kyle Richardson singled to load the bases, then, one out later, Blair Springfield hit a 2 RBI double.
The Blizzard made it 4-1 in the sixth when John Apostolo walked and scored on a May double, then added a final two runs in the seventh when Khyle Dimino singled and came home on a 2-RBI home run by Springfield.
Shayne Miller, "pitched very well," shutting the Train Robbers down in the sixth, but in the seventh he walked Las Vegas starter Derek Martinez, who advanced on a passed ball and came home on a Matt Grosso single. Eric Berkowitz and Adam Dimino, in his first pitching experience, allowed the final Vegas run in the eighth when Will Walsh walked and came home on a Gary Stauff single.
Steve Sanguiliano then "Came out and shut the door for the last two innings," Leahy said.
The five Taos pitchers allowed only six total hits with six strikeouts.
Offensively, Springfield drove in four of the Blizzard six runs, going 2-for-4 with a double and home run. The second baseman also had a "couple of gems" defensively.
The victory puts the Blizzard at 8-13 overall, and 6-1 in games where they batted last. Theyll have to try to win as the visitors Wednesday and Thursday as they again face Las Vegas at Rodriguez Field.
Las Vegas coach Casey Dill did not return calls for comment, and PointStreak statistics and play-by-play were not available for the game. Books provided by the Blizzard helped with the story