Southpaw Anthony Avina won’t be around to help out the San
Benito County Babe Ruth League 14 year-old All-Star team because
he’s moving to Nampa, Idaho June 30.
Southpaw Anthony Avina won’t be around to help out the San Benito County Babe Ruth League 14 year-old All-Star team because he’s moving to Nampa, Idaho June 30. At least, Avina can take a SBCBRL championship trophy with him to the Spud State after his Cubs held off the feisty A’s 7-6 in Sunday’s championship game at Vet’s Park.
“Avina came in and slammed the door on us,” said A’s manager Steven Ross, simply.
Avina, who had four innings maximum available on the mound due to league pitching restrictions, took over for Isaiah Zamorez in the top of the third and pitched through the sixth inning. He gave up just a run on two hits, whiffing five A’s batters. He walked just two batters.
“I just wanted to come in and throw strikes,” said Avina, who used a fastball, curveball and changeup. “I was just trying to win the game for my team.”
Avina trailed 2-1 at the start of the third inning. The A’s added a run in the top of the sixth on an infield single by Jake Verissimo and a double by Anthony Trefielo, his second RBI double of the game.
The Cubs (15-3), however, finally got rolling against A’s starter Ronnie Fhurong in the bottom of the sixth. Fhurong yielded a basehit to Drew Quintana, who led off the inning. After Quintana stole second, Kenny Blake singled sharply to center for his third single of the day to score Quintana. The ball got by the A’s center fielder and Blake took second. Anthony Mendoza laid down a bunt down the first baseline and no one covered as Fhurong had to hold the ball, putting runners on at first and third. Dennis Herman’s double down the right field line plated Blake.
That was it for Fhurong, who had a gutty performance, not gone unnoticed by Ross.
“Ronnie pitched his heart out today,” said Ross, whose team ended the year 12-5-1. “He has been one of our most valuable players for us this year, if not the most.”
Trefielo was brought in and had trouble finding the strike zone. He walked Roman Miranda to load the bases, then hit Derek Stone to bring in the lead run. Sean Perry drew a walk for another run. Two batters later, Zamorez ripped a single passed a diving Verissimo at third base and the Cubs’ lead was up to 7-3.
Little did they know then that they would need every run. With Avina out of innings, Cubs manager Orlando Quintana inserted Blake on the hill to start the seventh. Blake, like Trefielo, couldn’t locate his pitches. He walked Matt Hamilton, then hit Kevin Graham with a pitch. Fhurong’s looping single down the left field line hit chalk to score Hamilton. Drew Quintana relieved Blake and struck out the first batter he faced, a big out. Verissimo’s grounder scored Graham, then Fhurong scored on wild pitch with two out. Quintana had a spate of wildness and walked three consecutive batters. However, he collected himself to strikeout the last A’s batter still standing in what turned out to be a whale of a baseball game.
“The A’s always give us a scare like that,” said Orlando Quintana, whose Cubs were a perfect 3-0 against the A’s this year. “They did it the first time we played them. Before the season started, I thought the A’s and us would meet in the championship game. We had the two most talented teams.”
Game and SBCBRL notes: The A’s turned four double plays with second baseman Alex George skillfully turning three of them. Trefielo had three great stretches at first base, as well. Fhurong, who was moved to short from pitcher, completed a 6-u-3 double play to end that pivotal sixth inning…..The game started an hour late due to heavy water on the diamond, plus the umpiring crew scheduled didn’t have the right starting time printed on their schedule….As tradition, the league chose its Most Valuable Players by age: Ronnie Fhurong – 13 year-old MVP; Kevin Medieros – 14 year-old MVP; Karson Klauer – 15 year-old MVP. Klauer was also awarded a Home Run Trophy for having a home run over the fence during the regular season.
A’s 200 001 3 – 6 6 4
Cubs 001 006 X – 7 11 2
Fhurong, Trefielo (6) and Smith; Zamorez, Avina (3), Blake (7), Quintana (7) and Mendoza. WP-Avina. LP-Fhurong. 2B – Trefielo 2 (A); Herman (C). 3 hits – Blake (C). 2 hits – Verissimo, Trefielo (A); Quintana, Herman (C). 2 RBI – Verissimo, Trefielo (A); Zamorez (C).
