Published: August 30, 2009 11:27 pm      

No-hit start ends in Orioles' defeat

BLUEFIELD — For almost four full innings on Sunday, the zeroes piled up on the scoreboard at Bowen Field. Bluefield Orioles starting pitcher Jesse Beal and Burlington Royals starter Tyler Sample were each locked into a potential no-hitter.

The good fortune was not to last for the home team, however. The Royals erupted for 10 hits in the second half of the ballgame and recorded a 6-2 Appalachian League victory.

Javier Santana got the first hit for either side with a single in the bottom of the fourth. Mikey Planeta then walked, but Mike Flacco and Edinho Meyer were called out on strikes to end the inning.

Beal and the Birds retired the first 15 Burlington batters. Jacob Kuebler started the sixth with a drive to right-center field. Planeta dove for the ball, but it got by him and rolled to the fence. Kuebler wound up with an inside-the-park home run and the Royals took a 1-0 lead.

In the next inning, Beal gave up doubles to Yowill Espinal and Fernando Cruz, and both scored. Miguel Moctezuma’s RBI single with two out, scoring Cruz, ended Beal’s day.

Brandon Holloway quickly got out of that inning, but allowed four straight hits to begin the eighth, and was charged with three earned runs. Jorge Almanzar allowed one hit and no runs in the ninth.

The Orioles, limited to two hits in eight innings, managed three hits and a pair of runs in their last at-bat, all off reliever Claudio Bavera.

Santana started the rally with a single, and took second on a throwing error by Bavera. Planeta’s 12th double of the year, over the shortstop’s head, allowed Santana to score easily. Flacco then singled, and Meyer hit into a fielder’s choice that scored Planeta.

Santana and Flacco both were 2-for-4 in the game. Bluefield left five men stranded.

Tonight’s game is Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart employee appreciation night. The final game of the season on Tuesday is Orioles’ Fan Appreciation Night. Giveaways will be sponsored by Coca-Cola, and various items at the ballpark will be sold for $1 on “Dollar Night.”

First pitch is set for 7 p.m. both evenings.

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At Bowen Field

Burlington..........000 001 230 — 6 10 1

Bluefield.............000 000 002 — 2 5 0

Jesse Beal, Brandon Holloway (7), Jorge Almanzar (9) and Dashenko Ricardo. Tyler Sample, Claudio Bavera (8) and Fernando Cruz. WP – Sample (4-2). LP – Beal (5-5). HR – Burl, Kuebler (4), 6th, 0 on. Att – 718.