The Blues Walk It Off Against the Conejo Oaks with Ninth-Inning Heroics

By Julianne Shivers, SLO Blues

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif - The Blues continue to make history with tonight's performance, winning their 31st game of the season, the most by any team in the CCL's history.

In a game that felt like it was won in the fifth inning, the Conejo Oaks were able to rally back after being down seven runs to keep fans on their toes. A combined 23 runs came across the plate for both teams, leading to the highest-scoring game all season.

Scoring started early for the Blues, with five runs coming across the plate in the third inning. Birthday player Dominick Najar collected a single to get the day started for the Blues in the bottom of the second, scoring eventual co-player-of-the-game Kyle Becker. Brendan Comerford, Ethan Johnson, Diego Gonzalez and Najar all collected RBIs in the third, with Gonzalez picking up two.

The Blues had another big inning in the fifth, scoring four to put them up seven runs on the Oaks, 10-3. Struggling pitching from the Blues allowed the Oaks to chip away at this lead, eventually scoring four of their own in the seventh inning to make it a 10-7 ball game. Both teams scored a run apiece in the eighth, making it 11-8. The ninth is where Conejo made a dent, with three runners coming across the plate to make it a tie ball game. The bottom of the ninth came with Gonzalez, Najar and Cesar Chavez due up. Those three were all the Blues needed to walk it off. Gonzalez doubled and Najar singled, moving Gonzalez to third. Chavez came to the plate with the game on the line and delivered. With a hit to short that was bobbled, Gonzalez was able to score, making it 31 wins on the season for the Blues with their second walk-off of the summer.

Chavez, along with Becker, was named a player of the game. Becker went 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring three of the Blues' runs and walking twice. Chavez, with the swing that won the game, was able to express his emotions and what he was looking to do in his plate appearance.

"It felt awesome," Chavez said. "I knew he had to come over the plate and put a good swing on something."

Becker, who has had a quieter bat in his last five games, was able to be an offensive weapon for the Blues, scoring a quarter of the Blues' runs by himself. When asked what he's been doing mentally and mechanically differently to have a game like this, he credited his focus and perseverance.

"I've been trying to stay strong and not worry about it," Becker said. "I've been waiting for this day to come, so now I'm just going to go with it and ride it."

Pitching was a struggle on the night for the Blues. Eight arms were used, with one of them being the Blues' two-way position player Comerford coming in from third base to relieve. Command was an issue on the night for some of the Blues' arms. Six walks were given up on the night, and five batters were plunked for free bases. The Blues' defense didn't help, as three runs came across as unearned, the result of three errors.

The Blues are set to face the MLB Academy Barons in Saturday's fireworks game. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., with gates opening at 4:30 p.m.