Relief pitching keys Astros win

Strong relief pitching in the final three innings proved to be the

key ingredient for the Astros last weekend as the held off the Cardinals,

5-4, in Fountain Valley Youth Baseball PONY Bronco Major Division action.

Sean Burleson gave up one hit and struck out four in two innings after

the Cardinals had pulled to within one run following back-to-back home

runs by Chad Blauer and Giovanni Rodriguez.

Garrett Leon pitched the final inning for the Astros and closed the door

on any further Cardinal comeback by striking out the side.

The Astros’ offense was paced by Ryan Shiroishi, who doubled, singled,

and scored two runs.

Sammy Bridges added an RBI double and Jeff Payetta singled in another

run.

Bridges started on the mound for the Astros, striking out six in two

innings pitched.

Cameron McMullen singled twice and scored once to lead the Cardinals on

offense. McMullen also threw the first three innings, holding the Astros

to two runs on two hits.

Andrew Nehrig added a double and also pitched two scoreless innings to

close the game for the Cardinals.

In other games:

Reds 3, Cardinals 1

Jeff Roth drove in all three runs to lift the Reds to victory.

Roth gave his team the lead for good with a two-run in the first inning,

then added an insurance run by getting an RBI fly out in the sixth

inning.

Jason Croswell added a double for the Reds.

Reds starting pitcher Brandon Lawson pitched four hitless, scoreless

innings to shutdown the Cardinals, and Jeff Lamm came on in relief and

gave up one run on just one hit in three innings pitched, and also stuck

out five to close out the game for the Reds.

Cardinal relief pitcher Giovanni Rodriguez limited the Cardinals to one

unearned run, one hit, and struck out five in four innings pitched.