Sunday, May 27, 2007

Bay Area Toros Drop League Opener 6-5 to Texas Heat

By Robert H. Kelly

(League City, Texas, May 27, 2007) Despite a three run homer by Mike Medrano and scoring five runs in the fifth inning, the Bay Area Toros dropped their season opener 6-5 to the Texas Heat.

The marathon game, which lasted almost four hours, was the first game played in Continental Baseball League (CBL) history due the postponement of the three game series between the Lewisville Lizards and the Tarrant County Blue Thunder.

Severe weather and flooding in the Dallas area forced league officials to postpone the games to later in the season.

Pitching was a factor in the outcome of the league opener with the Heat using a total of six pitchers. The Toros saw three hurlers take to the mound.

Tyler French started on the mound for the Heat while right handed pitcher Steve Hecker started for the Toros.

Heckler pitched until into the fourth inning, accounting for four strike out and two walks. He also gave up four runs off of five hits and one homerun.

The Toros scored all of their runs in the fifth inning, beginning with Medrano’s three run shot. They scored two additional runs off of the Heat’s Matt Greanead.

The score reminded ties until the top of the tenth inning when the Heat’s Justin Meahger scored from second base for the winning run.

The game saw some historical notes. The first hit in league history was by the Heat’s Mitch Elliott for an infield single. The first homerun was a solo shot by the Heat’s Samson Oldenburg in the 2nd inning the first RBI was by the Heat’s Robby Winn.

The Heat and the Toros take to the field on Monday, May 28 for the second game in the three game series at 5:00pm. Will Smeltzer is slated to take the mound for the Toros.

All Toros home games are played at Clear Creek High School’s Wildcat Stadium in League City.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Check your facts. Game started at 5:12 p.m. and ended at 9:02. That is 3.50 minutes, not 5 hours.....

TexSport Publications said...

Thanks for the correction.

Anonymous said...

The game was great. Yes, it was a long game. It seems the pitchers are taking too much time to set up their pitch.

Both teams need to work on their pitching. Game two is tonight. Perhaps the Toros can get their bats working in the late innings.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mr. Kelly!
Sat next to you for most of the game. It was nice meeting you!! Hopefully, we'll see you soon at another game. If you're ever in the Dallas area covering any sporting events, look us up!!