Off a Seven-Run Fifth Inning, the Blues Win a Big One in Santa Barbara Against the Foresters

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Blues trailed 3-0 through two innings before erupting for seven runs in the fifth, pushing them to a 10-8 win over the Foresters on Friday night.

Santa Barbara jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning on doubles from Zane Becker and Carter Rutenbar and a run-scoring single from Chris Newstrom. But the Blues answered with their biggest inning of the night in the fifth. Miles Mador and Diego Gonzalez each doubled in the frame, Kosei Suzuki reached twice on Foresters errors, and Jonny Rodriguez and Brendan Comerford each drove in a run as San Luis Obispo sent 11 batters to the plate and put up seven runs on five hits.

The Blues offense stayed hot in the ninth, tacking on three insurance runs. Suzuki delivered a two-RBI single to score Mador and Diego Murillo, then came around to score himself on a wild pitch to push the lead to 10-4.

Troy Cooper started for the Blues, going four innings and allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits while striking out two. Brendan Comerford closed it out for his third save, working two-thirds of an inning.

Nine different Blues recorded a hit, led by Suzuki, who went 2-5 with a double, two RBIs and a stolen base, and Diego Gonzalez, who also finished 2-5 with a double and two RBIs. Dominick Najar added two hits and a stolen base.

Kosei Suzuki was named player of the game for his performance at the plate and on the bases.

"We had a tough first few innings, but we keep grinding," Suzuki said. "We keep playing hard, and we made everything happen today."

Suzuki credited a simple approach for his success at the plate.

"I was trying to stay short, not too big," Suzuki said. "Put the ball in play and I make good things happen."

The Blues will face the Foresters for the last time this season at Eddie Matthews Field in Santa Barbara, California. First pitch is set for 2 pm in what is always an electric matchup between the two clubs.