Defensive miscues and the lack of timely hitting proved lethal for the Mariners in Pittsburg on Thursday. Nick Roth threw seven solid innings, but allowed two unearned runs, and the offense was unable to take advantage of several gifted opportunities. In the end it added up to a 4-2 loss to Los Medanos and their first series defeat of the 2019 BVC season.
After both teams failed to score in the first inning the Mariners took advantage of a defensive mistake by the Mustangs to take a second inning lead. Dionathan Cornet reached on an error with one away. He moved to second on a ground out before attempting a steal of third. He successfully swiped the base and came around to score on the same play, thanks to an errant throw by the Mustang's catcher.
Marin's 1-0 lead lasted until the bottom of the third. The leadoff hitter singled and stole second for Los Medanos. He moved to third on a throwing error and scored on a fielder's choice to tie the game at 1-1. On the same play, the batter reached second on an error. He came around to score on a one out single before a two out double plated LMC's third run of the inning.
Though it was a manageable deficit, the Mariners never threatened a comeback. They were retired in order in the fourth and fifth innings while Los Medanos tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 4-1 lead.
In the sixth Jacob Berg singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch. Anthony Pomilia followed with a run scoring single to cut the deficit to 4-2. Landen Moran followed by reaching on an error but a strikeout and lineout ended the scoring chance for the Mariners.
The Mariners had additional opportunities to score as they put one on in the seventh and two in the eighth but could not deliver a decisive hit. They brought the tying run to the plate I the ninth but were denied as the LMC closer shut the door.
Roth was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs, two earned with seven hits and seven strikeouts. The Mariners could muster only four hits and one walk, with Cornet and Berg the run scorers.
The loss dropped Marin's record to 12-4 in the Bay Valley Conference and 19-13 overall. They sit a half game behind Los Medanos for first place in the conference. The Mariners look to avoid a sweep on Saturday as they host the Mustangs at 1pm.