Legends redeem with win against Pearl

Redemption was the name of the game for the Menlo Park Legends on Wednesday evening.

After losing their second straight home game the day before, the Legends grinded out a big victory 4-3 against the Neptune Pearl, June 24.

The Legends have struggled this season against last years CCL North Division Champions, only winning one of five previous games. This game was crucial for the Legends to win in order to keep a good spot in the CCL standings.

Things immediately started off wrong for the Legends as the Pearl hit a lead off home run, first one that Bruce had given up this season. One of the Legends’ strongest pitchers, Garrett Bruce had a shaky five innings, giving up five walks, five hits, and three runs.

Sticking with their original comeback story line, the Legends had an offensive burst in the second to take the lead. Kyle Barret’s RBI double started the scoring. Looking for a fastball over the middle, Barret drove one to center to let Robert Henry score the Legends’ first run of the night. Barret would then score the tying run off a single by Ryan Rosa, who later scored to give the Legends a two run lead.

After the Pearl were able to even the score in the fifth, middle reliever Harrisen Egly was able to command the strike zone and keep batters on their toes. Giving up only three hits, Egly was able hold off the Pearl from scoring any runs during his three innings on the mound.

The Legends were looking for their first walk-off of the season as the score remained tied in the ninth. Working the count, offensive hero Tobias Moreno was able to get on base with a lead off walk.

“Coming up to the plate, I was just thinking about getting on base any way I can: get hit by a pitch, walk, error, whatever it took,” Moreno said. “The pitcher made it easy for me so he walked me in.”

General Manager David Klein decided to call for a fake bunt to let Moreno steal second before moving to third off an error by the Pearl catcher. John Montgomery’s walk off single would bring in Moreno with a the winning run.

Building on this big win, Klein wants his team to commit on swings earlier in the count and while runners are in scoring position in preparation for their travel down to Palm Springs for the weekend.

Photos by Lani Finer