Gold Sox hope to end road troubles
Monday, June 27, 2005 - The Solano Thunderbirds' Travis Credit Union Park has been anything but a happy place for the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox.
The Gold Sox (15-7, 12-5) are 1-8 when venturing south to take on their Vacaville foes, including a 2-1 loss in 10 innings on June 14, their first of eight road trips of the season. The teams are 2-2 in their meetings so far this year.
“There is no rhyme or reason to any of it,” Peek said about his club's funk at the park. “We have lost some freaky ball games down there, and they are a good team, obviously.”
Peek will start Tyler Pearson on the mound. Pearson is making a start on four days rest, his last coming Thursday against the Thunderbirds in a 9-7 loss. He took a no decision, lasting 71/3 innings, allowing five hits, four runs - three earned - while striking out three and walking three.
Pearson has a record of 3-1 and an ERA of 1.95.
Peek is hoping his clubs' strong offensive output from a 3-1 weekend will carry over for tonight's game. The Gold Sox hit .333 as a team and scored 33 runs.
“The offensive part of the game is going really well for us right now,” Peek said. “I hope a day off doesn't snap that.”
A.J. Valentine leads the team in several offensive categories, including average (.389), RBIs (23), doubles (7) and home runs (3). He has a slugging percentage of .583.
Jason Searle's not far behind with a .390 average and 20 RBIs. He has a seven-game hitting streak.
Jordan Prado has been red hot at the plate in his last 37 at-bats, recording a .432 average and reaching base safely in 18 straight games when making a plate appearance. He has a modest five-game hit streak going.
