Gutierrez slam lifts Gilroy’s Majors AL squad over NL
Scotts Valley – Only one team could go home with the win and another day of life in the Boys’ Majors All-Star tournament. For fans of Gilroy Little League, that was a bittersweet outcome.
Gilroy’s American All-Stars, lifted by a grand slam by first baseman Christian Gutierrez and a strong pitching performance by Bubu Garcia, beat the city’s National squad 11-3 on a Friday night that saw a garlic invasion of the Scotts Valley tournament site.
The scoring began early and often for the American All-Stars. In the top of the first inning, Eric Vegas and Garcia both drew one-out walks, bringing Gutierrez to the plate. The powerful first baseman came through with a double to left center, scoring Vegas from first. Nationals starter Gavin Menges struck out the next two batters to end the threat.
In the bottom of the first, the Nationals quickly responded. Leading off, Matt Jackson doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on a throwing error. The next batter, Menges, helped his own cause by safety squeezing Jackson in from third to tie the game.
The score remained 1-1 until the top of the third inning. Kyle Standard led off for the Americans with a bunt single. Vegas and Garcia followed, both drawing walks once again. With the bases loaded, Gutierrez stepped into the batter’s box with one thought in mind. Menges came with first-pitch heat, and Gutierrez launched the fastball over the center field fence for a grand slam and a 5-1 advantage.
In the bottom of the third, the Nationals answered again. With one out and Menges on first, third baseman Daniel Valdez smashed Garcia’s pitch off the base of the center field wall, scoring Menges from first.
In the top of the fourth, Menges was replaced by Matt Jackson on the hill. With one out and a man on first, Vegas drove an RBI double into the right field corner. Garcia then followed with a double of his own into right center, scoring Vegas from second. With Garcia on second, Gutierrez, who already had five RBIs, singled home Garcia to pad his total on the evening to six runs knocked in.
“He was definitely our MVP today,” said American All-Stars head coach Kort Stannard about Gutierrez’s big night at the plate.
The Americans play Santa Cruz tonight at 5:30pm in Scotts Valley.
Big win for Minors NL
Bobby Schipper pitched five strong innings and Gilbert Cano had an RBI triple as Gilroy’s National All-Stars beat San Juan-Aromas 4-2 to advance in the Little League Minors All-Star Tournament in Watsonville on Friday.
Gilroy’s Boys’ 11-year-old Nationals, meanwhile, lost 10-4 to Scotts Valley. Austin Guerrero had an RBI double.
By Michael Stevens Special to the Dispatch
