Hollywood Ending
Okajima blows comeback by allowing walkoff 3-run shot
LOS ANGELES -- Down by a run in the top of the 9th, the San Antonio Sheriffs did what they have done so often in these last few weeks - they came back.
And then it was gone.
San Antonio closer Hideki Okajima surrendered a 3-run walkoff homer to Los Angeles' George Scales, quickly reversing the fortunes of a 2-run rally in the top of the inning to turn the game into an 8-6 loss.
Sheriffs starter Brandon Webb and Idols starter Billy Rhines slogged their way through 7 innings, neither particularly sharp nor terrible.
Webb had given up a 2-run homer to Benjamin Boyd, his 10th, in the fifth. Through six that was his only real blemish, but he then gave up RBI doubles to Boyd and Scales, bookending an RBI single from Mike Donlin.
The game was 5-4 heading to the top of the ninth. Facing Idols closer Chad Qualls, Hugh Duffy doubled to lead things off. Ryan Spillborghs struck out before Jack O'Brien hit a pinch-hit RBI single to tie the score. O'Brien, however, was thrown out trying to take second on the throw home. But Qualls would walk George Pinkney before allowing Freddy Parent to double into the gap, scoring Pinkney and giving the Sheriffs a 6-5 lead.
In came Okajima, who had allowed a run in only 1 of his last 11 appearances. Joe Crede struck out to start the inning. But Okajima allowed a 1-out double to Mike Donlin and walked Harry Stovey before falling behind Scales 3-0 and grooving a 3-1 fastball that is yet to land.
The loss, combined with Arizona's 8-5 win in Las Vegas narrows San Antonio's division lead to a half-game in what seems to be the PBL only true pennant race.