Pineiro Starts, 66ers Stop Slide

Adelanto, CA-Monday started with Angels right-hander Joel Pineiro pitching on a rehab assignment, and ended with the regular Inland Empire 66ers roster (9-9) ending their losing streak on their own in a come from behind 6-4 victory over the High Desert Mavericks (8-10). Angels starter Joel Pineiro did not allow an earned run in 5 2/3 innings, Johnny Hellweg struck out five in 2 1/3 innings while the 66ers took the lead and David Carpenter finished things off in the ninth for his third save of the season.

Early on it seemed the 66ers offensive woes had not disappeared over the course of the Easter off day. Mavs starter Jimmy Gillheeney allowed just one hit in the first five innings, holding the 66ers scoreless through five frames. A 6th inning solo shot from Matt Long got the team on the board, but they trailed 4-1 after seven innings.

Meanwhile a costly mistake punctuated Inland Empire's early effort. Joel Pineiro fell behind in a few counts the first few innings, but wasn't disrupted by that until the 3rd inning. Gabriel Noriega singled to start the frame, and leadoff man Daniel Carroll was attempting to sacrifice him over when his bunt was fumbled by Pineiro for the 66ers only error of the game. It would be a costly error when the inning's potential third out ended up being a ground out RBI for Vinnie Catricala, and then after a walk to Mario Martinez, Denny Almonte hit a ball to the wall that ended up being a two run double.

After Gillheeney left the game after seven innings, the 66ers comeback came very quickly. Kole Calhoun crushed a three run home run over the right field wall to tie the game in the 8th, and then with a man on second in the ninth Justin Bass stretched his hit streak to a 66ers season best nine games with an RBI double in the 9th. Carpenter closed things out in the 9th to end the 66ers losing streak at four games.

Tomorrow Inland Empire will take on High Desert in game two of a four game series. Buddy Boshers is scheduled to start for Inland Empire. 66ers fans can hear all the action beginning with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians pre-game show at 6:55pm on AM 1050 KCAA.

The 66ers next home game is Friday, April 29th, when the 66ers will host the Lancaster JetHawks on a JBS Toyota and Scion of Redlands 50 cent Friday. For information on 66ers tickets or to schedule your next fun filled group outing, contact the 66ers front office at (909)888-9922.