Generals Fall in Extra Innings Victoria, TX – Ryan Benitez threw seven fantastic innings, and Kyle Danford had 3 doubles and a single, yet the Generals never had a lead in the ball game and fell 4-3 in 14 innings for their first loss of the season to the Texas Marshals in the home opener.
Benitez was great on the mound from the start of the night, only allowing an unearned run in the 1st inning. He ended up with a total of 12 strikeouts on the night and never really got into any big jams.
Danford went 4 for 5 with 3 doubles, a single, and a sacrifice bunt but was often left stranded on base. He carried the load as the majority of Generals batters fell stagnant at the plate for the first time this season.
The first run of the game came in the top of the 1st inning for the Marshals after two throwing errors by the Generals defense. There were also some miscues behind the plate when Dayfran Ortiz came in to replace Keith Funk at catcher.
The Generals were able to tie the game up at one, with back to back one out singles from Danford and Cedric Vallieres. They would both advance on stolen bases, and Danford would come around to score on a Pedro Barrios pinch-hit groundout.
Just as effective on the mound was Marshals starter Ross Vance, who went 6.2 innings and only allowed 1 earned run. It was the first time in this young season that the Generals were held to three runs or less.
There would not be another run scored until the Marshals took the lead back in the 11th inning on an RBI single from Adonis Askew. The Generals answered right back in the bottom of the inning off the bat of Ortiz, who brought in Danford. The Marshals jumped back on top in the 13th after three straight walks and a single delivered by Oliver Christensen. This was not quite the end, though. Another single from Ortiz would score Vallieres in the bottom of the inning and keep the game going.
The top of the 14th looked to be going 123 following a groundout and strikeout, but a 2 out single and walk opened the door for Dillon Coates to drive in the go-ahead run on a single.
The Generals were unable to muster anymore offense in the bottom of the 14th and were defeated for the first time this season. This marks the second time in which the Generals have gone into extra innings. This was also the longest played game of the season, as the final out came 4 hours and 27 minutes after the first pitch.
The Generals and Marshals will be back in action tonight at 7:35 before the Generals hit the road to Brazos Valley for a two game set with the league-leading Bombers. Fans don’t forget that its Baseball Bingo Night presented by Wingstop. Bingo cards can be purchased at $2 a piece or three for $5. We will have ten winners and many more prizes to give out this season. Gates open at 6:30 and we hope to see you there!
