9th-Inning Rally Falls Short for Pirates

The Pirate baseball team mounted a two-out rally in the top of the ninth inning Thursday at Los Angeles Pierce, but fell one run short with the game-tying run in scoring position in their 7-6 loss to the Brahmas. Peter Dufau had three hits, including an RBI double in the final frame, to lead Ventura while Dylan Jackson had a pair of hits with a run scored and one run batted in. Anthony Cuevas gave VC a chance with 4.1 innings of scoreless relief on the mound.

The Brahmas took an early 1-0 lead after the first inning but VC came back with a three-run second. Dufau led off with a single and Aaron McLeod walked. Jacob Tostado followed with a single to load the bases before Bryce Elias hit a sacrifice fly to score Dufau. McLeod then scored on a wild pitch before Yuki Kawashima hit a sacrifice fly to score Tostado.

The Pirates made it 4-1 when Jackson doubled home David King in the top of the third, but the advantage was short-lived as Pierce plated three runs in the bottom half of the frame.

LAPC proceeded to score three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-4 lead. 

McLeod reached base in the top of the fifth ion a fielder's choice and stole second and third before scoring on Elias' single to cut the deficit to 7-5.

With two outs in the top of the ninth, Jackson singled and scored on Dufau's double before the Pirate rally fell short with the potential game-tying run in scoring position.

Cuevas came on to pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Pirates, retiring the Brahmas in the frame before scattering two hits over the next four innings to give VC a chance in the end.

VC closes the three-game set with Pierce at home on Friday April 12. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 pm at Pirate Park.