Gold Sox finally win one in Vacaville

August 2, 2006 - VACAVILLE - For once, things went the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox's way at Travis Credit Union Park in Vacaville.

With the help of Tyler Pearson's strong right arm, the Gold Sox finally broke out of their season-long slump against the Solano Thunderbirds at TCUP.

In Yuba-Sutter's final appearance of the season in Vacaville, Pearson pitched six strong innings to become the first pitcher with seven victories, and Joél Torres continued to swing a hot bat in a 3-1 Gold Sox victory in the final Horizon Air Summer Series game of the season.

Yuba-Sutter's win broke a four-game losing skid in Vacaville this season and ended Solano's seven-game winning streak. The Gold Sox took the 10-game season series, 6-4, and improved to 3-15 all time at TCUP.

“It was satisfying. Like coach (Jack) Johnson said, ‘it tastes good',” Gold Sox manager Brad Peek said.

It was a great way for the Gold Sox to begin the final week of their championship season.

“No doubt about it,” Peek said. “Our immediate goal was to win (in Vacaville) and our next goal is to get 40 wins.”

Yuba-Sutter (37-9, 32-8) will end the summer with a four-game series against the Suisun City Sultans, a team made up mostly of Solano College players, beginning Thursday at All Seasons RV Stadium in Marysville.

Pearson, making his seventh start, allowed just three hits and an unearned run, while striking out five and walking three. Pearson allowed his first hit of the game to begin the second inning, a double to Eli Rimes, and loaded the bases in the frame, but he managed to get out of the jam by fanning Ryan Young looking to end the threat.

Pearson then retired six straight into the fifth before allowing two singles and an unearned run. He rebounded in his final inning, retiring the side in the sixth, including a strikeout to end the inning.

“In the beginning, he was a little off, and it didn't seem like he had his location,” Peek said. “Then he settled in, and once he settled in, he had a little more giddy-up on his fastball and did a good job mixing in his breaking pitch.”

The Gold Sox's offense gave Pearson and his relief staff just enough run support for the victory.

Torres was 3-for-4, including two doubles, and scored two of the Gold Sox's runs, including a big insurance run in the ninth inning.

Torres walked in the ninth, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored when Doug Thennis hit a ground ball to short. Torres broke for home on Thennis' hit and Phillip Stringer's throw home was in time, but catcher Steve Domecus couldn't make the tag, and Torres scored for the final 3-1 lead.

Alberto Rolon then picked up his eighth save of the season after pitching an outstanding ninth, fanning the first two batters and inducing a ground out to end the game. Marquis Fleming pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Pearson, allowing a bunt-single, striking out three and walking one.

Torres started the game with a double to the fence in right field off of losing pitcher Curtis Pasma. Torres then stole third and Thennis' one-out single, his first of two hits, pushed Torres across for the early 1-0 lead.

“He had a heck of a game,” Peek said of Torres, who extended his hitting streak to 11 games. “Usually he tries to yank the ball, but when he hit that first ball to right field, I knew he was keyed in.”

Torres added a double in the sixth inning with Jeff Horn on base. Horn appeared to have scored from first on the hit, but he was called out at third after the Thunderbirds appealed, saying he missed the bag, ending the inning.

Matt Suleski gave the Gold Sox a 2-0 lead after singling in the fourth and later scoring on an error.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Justin Miller can be reached at 749-4796. You may e-mail him at jmiller@appeal-democrat.com.