Anderson dumps sliding Locos

LIMA - The Lima Locos' 14 hits only looked good in the scorebook.

That's because they ended up leaving 14 runners on base.

Those squandered chances typified the Locos' night.

Anderson went out to an early lead and held on for an 8-4 victory over the Locos on Friday at Simmons Field.

The Locos (15-17) lost their third in a row. They entered the game in seventh place in the Great Lakes Collegiate League, one-half game out of the sixth and final playoff spot.

The pivotal opportunity for the Locos came in the home fourth inning. Trailing 7-3, the Locos loaded the bases with no outs. But a third-to-home-to-first double play and a fly out to center quickly ended the threat.

"You have to do the job," Locos coach Rob Livchak said. "You have to drive the run in. Nobody out, you've got to get somebody in. It's not rocket science. I don't have to tell them anything. They just have to do the job."

Anderson (14-17) jumped out to a 3-0 first-inning lead off Locos starter lefty Brian Garman. Ryan Court's RBI groundout to short gave the Servants a 1-0 lead. Riley Diaz hit a two-run home run well over the right-field fence to give the Servants a 3-0 lead.

The Servants added two more in the second and two in the third to take a 7-1 lead.

The Locos got within 7-3 with a two-run third. Jace Whitmer had a sacrifice fly to center to make it 7-2. The Locos scored their third run when Tom Howard walked with the bases loaded.

Garman, who entered with a 2.45 ERA, lasted only 1 1/3 innings and gave up five runs, all earned, on seven hits.

For Anderson, Tommy Finn went 3-for-4. Jimmy Roesinger was 3-for-5 and Court was 2-for-5 with five RBIs.

The Locos' Bryan Bonner went 4-for-4.

The Locos couldn't fully capitalize on Anderson starter Jake Scholfield's wildness. Scholfield (2-1) went five innings for the win, but gave up four runs on eight hits. He struck out one and walked six.

The Locos have eight games left in their playoff drive, with five of those at home.

"I told them, ‘See you tomorrow. It's up to you guys.' You have to want it," Livchak said.

Locos notes: The Locos signed Purdue catcher Dan Black (Carmel, Ind.) to take the place of catcher Danny Jones, who is out for the year with strained ligaments in his left thumb. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Black hit .320 with 18 home runs and 70 RBIs at Purdue this spring. He was playing in the Cape Cod League, but left after six weeks after he was told to totally change his swing. He joins Purdue pitchers Matt Bischoff, Matt Morgan and Kevin Cahill on the Locos' roster.

"I feel good about coming here. I've got some buddies here," Black said.

Black went 2-for-2 in his Locos' debut Tuesday.

The Locos will have Columbus at home for a 7 p.m. game today. Bischoff is scheduled to start. First-place Cincinnati will be at Simmons Field for a 7 p.m. game Sunday. The Locos will meet Licking County in a 7 p.m. makeup game Monday at Simmons Field.