A bloop single is just as good as a line drive when it produces the winning run.
Texarkana Twins' Shea Gutierrez delivered a blooper over first base and just inside the right-field foul line for the winning hit, driving in two runs for a 3-2 victory over the Baton Rouge Rougarou Sunday evening at George Dobson Field.
Baton Rouge held a 2-0 advantage behind the outstanding pitching of left Zach Fordam, who had allowed just one hit and struck out nine before the ninth inning.
The Twins collected three hits for three runs in the final frame.
Lee Thomas opened the inning by drawing a walk, but was soon erased when Christian Boulware reached on a fielders' choice.
Reese Durand followed with a base hit and Blake Shannon flew out to right field for the second out. Jake Walsh hit a soft liner over the shortstop for an RBI single, and Hudson Hopkins walked to load the bases.
Chris Sagrera came on in relief and gave up the winning hit to Gutierrez.
Joseph Stanley picked up the win in relief of starter Jordan Johnson in the sixth inning. The Lefthander tossed 4 1/3 innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out eight. Johnson pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowed one run and three hits.
It was a scoreless game through four innings until the Rougarous put up single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
The Twins missed a big scoring opportunity in the bottt0m of the sixth.
Ryne Randle hit a line drive to right where the fielder was unable to catch the ball after a diving attempt. Randle reached second on the play.
Lee Thomas then drew a walk, and after an out, both Randle and Thomas were tossed out at third on attempted steals by Lukas Polanco.
The score remained 2-0 until the ninth.
TEXARKANA 3, BATON ROUGE 2
Baton Rouge 000 011 000 - 2 6 2
Texarkana 000 000 003 - 3 4 0
Zach Fordam, Chris Sagrera (9) and Lukas Polanco. Jordan Johnson, Joseph Stanley (6) and Jake Walsh. WP-Stanley. LP-Fordam.