Glendora, CA - Grant Tripp struck out 14 batters, allowed one earned run and nearly went the distance as Citrus defeated Bakersfield on Thursday, 9-7. The win pushes the Owls back into a third-place tie with Bakersfield in the Western State Conference.
Tripp (1-3) dropped his ERA nearly three points for his efforts and was just one out away from a 9-3 victory in the ninth inning, when an error and a walk kept the game alive. The Renegades made things interesting again reliever Julian Arballo, scoring four unearned runs to climb within two. With two runners remaining on base, Chris Magallanez came in and threw just one pitch, getting a pinch-hitter to ground out for his first save of the season.
Richie Roseli led the way at the plate for the Fighting Owls (14-14, 8-5), batting 3-for-4 with three RBI. Eddie Crespo, Justin Fellhauer and Matt Ross had two hits apiece for Citrus.
Bakersfield (16-14, 8-5) was led by Ricky Orton, who went 3-for-5. Carlos Luna (3-4) took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) in six innings of work.
Citrus will be back in action on Sunday as they travel to complete the home-and-home series with Bakersfield in a game originally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.