A controversial call ended a last-inning comeback from the San Quentin Giants, giving Mission the 8-7 win.
The Giants had the bases loaded and Rasheed Lockheart at bat with a 3-2 count. The batter watched the next pitch cross the plate and the umpire called a strike. Mission catcher Chris Powell threw out the runner on third base, who was on his way home thinking the call was a ball for the walk.
The umpire ruled both outs stand, leaving the Giants upset.
“I don’t think the umpire called the strike out loud enough for the third base runner to hear it. He wouldn’t have gotten off base if it was clear what the call was,” said Giant Micheal “Sparky” Lain.
The Giants had come alive in the ninth, down 8-3.
Giant Rubin Harper hit a line drive past third base for a single and Angelo Mecchi flied out to right field. Troy Bird walked, setting up Calvin “CJ” Johnson, who smashed a deep ball to center field for a double, scoring Bird and Harper.
Now down 8-5, Mission pitcher Guibert Gaston walked the next two batters to load the bases. Mission called a time-out for a short conference on the mound.
Gaston walked in two more runs, allowing the Giants to close the gap 8-7 with the bases still loaded.
“Closing out any team is a challenge. I had some jitters, but I settled back into my mechanics. These guys are some good hitters. I enjoy being a part of this. I want to tell the guys to keep hope alive and to remember there is life after prison,” said Gaston.
Both teams had solid pitching and defense until the fifth, when Giants first baseman Damon Cooke dropped a pop-fly with two outs and bases loaded, giving Mission a run.
The error generated boos from the small group of on-lookers.
“I trucked. I’m the only guy that can get booed in prison. That’s OK. I will make up for it. That’s what leaders do we take responsibility,” said Cooke.
But Mission scored again for the 2-0 lead off a single from Daune Harris.
The Giants answered when Shon Ruffin belted a double to left field to score Bird, who walked earlier.
The Mission scored four more runs in the sixth for a 6-1 lead. John Nero struggled at bat all game, but came up big when he hit a line drive up the middle for a double to score two runs.
After back-to-back singles to load the bases, Abe Zuckerman stepped to the plate and found the gap between center and left field for two runs.
Mission added two more runs in the seventh for an 8-1 lead. Ruffin dropped a fly ball while falling to the ground, trying to avoid second baseman Mecchi, who was also chasing the ball.
“Too many of our guys don’t have their heads in the game. For us to win, we have to fix that, but right now nobody’s hitting or catching the ball,” said Coach Elliot Smith.
The Giants listened and added two runs in the seventh to close the score to 8-3. With singles from Rasheed Lockheart and Harper, John Appley smashed the ball to deep left field for an easy double and the two RBIs.
The Giants defense didn’t give up any more runs and it did fight its way back into the game but too many mistakes and a possible mental error cost the hosts the game.
“I really love coming here. This is an amazing baseball program and these types of games keep us on our toes. I’m going to keep coming here until I can’t come no more,” said Harris.
