Rams Rally to Beat Verdugo Hills

Eric Taylor had a big day for the Rams as he pitched three innings, scored three runs and drove in two including the go ahead run. (Photo by Duane Barker).

By Tim Peterson

(Temple City) – Eric Taylor’s two run single gave Temple City a 6-5 lead and highlighted a four-run sixth inning as the Rams rallied to beat Verdugo Hills 7-5 Saturday at Temple City.

Down 5-3 entering the bottom of the sixth, Cayden Bonura and Nathan Mena walked. Mateo Estrada then laid down a bunt that the Verdugo Hills pitcher fielded and then threw wildly to first and Bonura scored and the runners took second and third. Taylor then lined a base hit to right to plate two. He then scored on a wild pitch.

The Rams rallied for four in the sixth inning to turn it around. (Photo by Duane Barker).

Just like that a 5-3 deficit became 7-5 Rams. Jared Cuadres retired the side in order in the seventh to close it.

Taylor had a big day. He was 2 for 3 at the plate with a walk and scored three runs while driving in two. He also pitched the first three innings and allowed three runs while fanning four.

The Rams used four pitchers overall, after Taylor’s three innings, Andrew Roman went two and Nathan Mendoza worked an inning before Cuadres finished.

Verdugo Hills got two in the first inning on two hits, a hit batsmen and a fielder’s choice. The Dons added one more in the third on a double and an RBI single.

Temple City got one back in the bottom of the third on a double by Taylor and a run scoring double by Ryan Salinger.

Andrew Roman threw two innings in middle relief for TC. (Photo by Duane Barker).

After the Dons went up 4-1 in the fifth, the Rams fought back with two in the bottom half. Taylor again was instrumental in the rally. Estrada reached on an error and Taylor walked. Ethan Praslin laid down a text book bunt to load the bases. Salinger hit a fly ball to short right field to score one run and Jaykob Duhamel singled to load them up again. Dean Balut hit into a fielder’s choice to get another run home.

Verdugo Hills added a run in the top of the sixth before Temple City’s comeback in the bottom of the inning won it.

Christian Banuelos worked the first five innings for Verdugo Hills and allowed three runs. Temple City was able to get to the bullpen.

The Rams had six hits in all and also took advantage of a couple of Verdugo Hills miscues.

Temple City is off to a hot start in the 2022 campaign improving to 7-1 overall. Verdugo Hills fell to 3-5.

VH 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 5

TC 0 0 1 0 2 4 7

Leave a Reply