Jeff Dumont pitched seven durable innings and struck out four batters as the San Quentin Giants topped the outside baseball Missions team, 6-3.
“I wish I could have struck out everybody,” said Dumont, the Giants’ starting right-hand pitcher, after the game. “Strikeouts are an ego-booster; they are not a necessity in a baseball game.”
He scattered eight hits, hit three batters and walked two men. A near errorless defense galvanized the Giants’ for the victory.
“I want us to get runs early, and maintain our lead,” said San Quentin Giants General Manager Elliot Smith before the game.
‘If we are going to win, we have to eliminate walks and not play from behind’
That was the formula as the Giants’ players jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning behind a two-run home-run blast by starting catcher Danny Schrader.
“Sean just happened to make a mistake, and I took advantage of it,” said Schrader.
In the top of second inning, Missions erased their two-run deficit to even the game at 2-2 as they responded to Dumont’s lack of pitching command when one Missions player crossed the plate on a walk, and another through an RBI single.
“If we are going to win, we have to eliminate walks and not play from behind,” said San Quentin Giants inmate head coach Frankie Smith after the Giants barely escaped their second inning defensive jam
The Missions got another run in the top of the third inning. It came off an RBI single to right field by Missions left-fielder P. Matt.
The Giants pulled away for good in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Their response came through designated Giants’ hitter Mike Tyler, who punched a two-run RBI double to right-center field, scoring Richard Zornes and S. Sandivol as the Giants jumped to a 6-3 lead.
Missions’ batters could not respond to Dumont’s sturdy pitching for the remaining four innings in the game.
Giants’ right-hand pitcher Dumont got the save with six walks, one error, and four hits.
Sean got the loss with two walks, three batters hit by wild pitches, four singles, two doubles, and one home-run.
“I started off below average; after the second inning, I loosened up a bit as I started hitting my spots,” said Sean after the game. “I think we did OK, but we have to get better because I know the A’s are a better team.”
“Our plan was to have fun this game,” said Missions head coach F. Greg. “We wanted to dedicate this game to Johnny Barlett, who was our teammate that was hit in the throat by a baseball which caused him to have a heartattack nine days later due to a clogged throat artery.”
Barlett is in the hospital recovering and is said to be fine.
