PALM SPRINGS, CA – Through five innings Nick Baker was on his game Friday night at Palm Springs Stadium — reliever Jose Garcia, however, did not get the opportunity to get in a groove.
After retiring the first batter he faced in the sixth inning on a strikeout, Garcia could only be a spectator as the lights went out at the stadium. A blown transformer in the neighborhood was responsible for the power outage, which forced the suspension of the game against the San Diego Force until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
Baker retired the first seven batters of the game before allowing a one out single to Devon King in the third. Two pitches later he induced a ground ball double play off the bat of Jason Moralez to retire the side.
He escaped a jam in the fourth, retiring three straight batters after a leadoff walk and single, and again in the fifth when the Force loaded the bases on three consecutive singles to start the inning. Baker retired Moralez on a strikeout and the next two batters on fly outs to retain the shutout.
The POWER scored all five of their runs in the bottom of the second. Frankie Torres, Sean Flanagan and Hank Yates each singled to load the bases with nobody out. Chett Zeise then singled, driving in the first two runs for Palm Springs. Austin Barrett followed with a two-RBI double, making it 4-0 POWER. Curtis Gomez brought in the fifth run on a one-out single.
Right-hander Keegan Yuhl came out of the bullpen for the Force and retired ten of the eleven POWER batters he faced before the game was suspended.
The POWER and the Force will resume the suspended game on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with the POWER leading by a 5-0 score with one out in the top of the sixth inning. Gates will open at 5 p.m. All fans arriving between 5-6 p.m. will be admitted free of charge and may stay to see the regularly scheduled game between both teams starting at 7:05 p.m (or 20 minutes following the completion of the first game if it goes later than 6:45 p.m.). Fans arriving after 6 p.m. will be charged regular admission prices.
All POWER games can be heard live on www.PSPBB.com, with select games simulcast on NewsTalk 920 KPSI Palm Springs. Also, be sure to check out our blog for more team information, including the lineups before every POWER game.
