The Seguin River Monsters returned home to Smokey Joe Williams Stadium after a week away that included trips to Acadiana, Brazos Valley and Victoria. The Victoria Generals were in town for the second game of an away, home, away, three game series. The Generals had beat Seguin the previous night in Victoria but the River Monsters were primed for a bounce back game in front of a Friday night home crowd.
Lalo Salinas was on the bump for River Monsters and he retired the Generals lineup in order the first time around with 3 scoreless innings to start the game. Salinas ended with 4 innings pitched while giving up just two hits and one walk. He had one strikeout and 3 putouts of his own with some nice fielding off the mound. Seguin staked Salinas to an early lead as they put up four runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Reid Hensely (2-4/R) and Rilan Quinones got things going in the second with back to back singles. Hensley eventually came around to score the ‘Sters first run on a passed ball. After 3 straight walks to David Lopez (2-4/R/BB), Aijalon Knowles (1-3/2R/2B) and Jose Gutierrez (2-3/HR/3RBI/2BB) plated another run, Victor Jimenez hit a ground ball to the shortstop and with the help of some nifty base running from Knowles, forced a errant throw to first which allowed Lopez and Knowles to score.
Seguin was held scoreless for 4 innings after their big second, and the Generals chipped away and eventually tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the 7th. Just as the tides seemed to be turning against the River Monsters, Aj Knowles drew a four pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the 7th and Seguin RBI leader Jose Gutierrez stepped up to the plate. After watching 4 straight balls from the on deck circle, Gutierrez did not wait for a 5th, and jumped all over the first pitch he saw and drove a no doubter over the right field wall to give the River Monsters the lead back. One which they would give up this time around.
Drake Smith (2IP/0ER/0BB/5Ks) came on in the 8th to relieve his UTSA Road Runner teammate, Fischer Kingsbery (3IP/4H/1ER/6Ks) and promptly stuck out the side with a combo of a live fastball that touched 94mph and a tight breaking ball that kept hitters on their heels. The River Monsters posted an insurance run for Smith in the bottom half of the frame as Cam Dayton singled and scored. Smith struck two more out in the 9th and locked down a River Monsters win.
The River Monsters finish a three game set back in Victoria on Saturday before returning home for their final game of the season vs. Brazos Valley.