May 9, 2008

Box Score

LONG BEACH--Andrew Liebel (7-2) pitched his second consecutive shutout, a five-hitter in which he faced just three over the minimum, as No. 26-ranked Long Beach State (29-17, 10-6 Big West) defeated visiting UC Santa Barbara (30-18, 9-7 Big West) 3-0 in speedy two hours and 12 minutes.

The defense rolled three double play balls and catcher Travis Howell caught a runner stealing on the base paths as Liebel used just 109 pitches for the contest, striking out six and walking two. After totaling 73 over the first five, he used just 36 over the final four innings.

Jason Corder became the eighth LBSU player to hit 20 home runs in a career, launching a two-run chip shot onto the street, bouncing onto the16th green of Recreation Park to make it 3-0 in the third. A Shane Peterson RBI single in the first gave LBSU a 1-0 lead.

Steve Tinoco added two of the Dirtbags five hits. Liebel has now thrown 20.1 consecutive scoreless innings following his six-hit shutout last week at UC Davis.

Mike Ford (5-4) went all eight innings for the Gauchos, striking out eight, while giving up three runs on five hits.

The series continues on Saturday at a later than scheduled 6 p.m. start, concluding with a fireworks display, and on Sunday at 1 p.m. LHP Mario Hollands (6-2, 2.97) will oppose RHP Vance Worley (5-3, 4.40) on Saturday.

WEEKLY FARM REPORT
21 Former Players are in the Minors and another nine are currently in the Majors
Mariners Triple-A outfielder Jeremey Reed batted .415 over the last 10 games to boost his average to .375 with five home runs and a .600 slugging percentage. He twice had three hits at Iowa this past week... Triple-A catcher Todd Jennings hit safely in each of the last four games and eight of the last 10 to boost his average to .270 playing for Fresno (San Francisco)... Adam Heether has scored 11 of his 15 runs over the last 10 games, as he is batting .264 for Triple-A Nashville (Milwaukee)... Marco Estrada has given up a single earned run in each of his last two starts (11.0 IP) lowering his ERA to 3.19 in six starts for Double-A Harrisburg (Washington)... Neil Jamison did not give up a run in his last five appearances, lowering his ERA to 1.69 in 17 relief appearances for Double-A San Antonio (San Diego)... Steve Hammond has struck out at least eight in three of his seven starts this season, as he is 4-1 with a 3.20 ERA for Double-A Huntsville (Milwaukee)... Carlos Muniz has still not allowed a run in 11 relief appearances for Triple-A New Orleans (Mets), posting five saves.