Monkeys Pummel That Team, Win Streak at 4

Flores Hurls 5 Hitter as Monkey Bats Come Alive in 19-3 Victory

By: JMU, Staff Writer

August 10, 2010

Fullerton, California.

The Monkeys came out firing Tuesday Night at Lemon Park, leaving few in attendance in doubt of their playoff intentions, but with many questions as to what their playoff lineup might look like.

In a pattern that developed at the beginning of the season, the Monkeys used their sixth different lineup in as many games. With starter Daniel Quinoes on the injured list and backup Cy Garza out of town, manager John Upton moved left-centerfielder Matt Beighley into the infield vacancy.

“I normally don’t like making moves like that because it I basically have to re-set most of the outfield as well, but by now, with as many roster moves as we’ve made this season, they guys are used to it,” said Upton. With Beighley at shortstop, Upton moved Curtis Brown from right center to left center, started rookie Ryan Dorigan in right center, and utility man Brian Castaneda into right. The re-alignment worked. The Monkeys as a whole looked exceptionally sharp in the filed, with Beighley playing error-free at shortstop and the team committing just two errors all night.

Pitcher Frank Flores kept That Team off balance most of the night, holding them to a mere five singles over seven innings of play. Mixing in a wicked combination of lobs and short balls, Flores surrendered just one earned run, walking none, and striking out one.

Offensively, the Monkeys played an uncharacteristic yet effective game of small ball. Just two of their twenty-one hits went for extra bases (a double and triple by Castaneda), but they managed to plate 19 runs. “I think tonight’s performance at the plate may have surprised a few people,” remarked Upton. “Though we usually rely on the long ball for our runs, tonight we adopted a mostly patient approach at the plate, took our walks, and basically put the ball in play. With speedsters like Ryan Dorigan and Matt Beighley on the base paths all night, we are a tough team to defend against.”

Once again, Frank Flores led the Monkey attack with a 5 for 5 performance. In all, six Monkeys managed multi-hit performance and the team got offensive contributions throughout the lineup.

“If we continue to play like we played tonight, I like our chances against anyone,” said daytime first baseman John Maresca after the game. With league leaders Wheelchair Bandits up next for the Monkeys, the team will face their toughest task of the season.

Monkey Notes:

Shortstop Daniel Quinones’s knee continues to heal on schedule. The Monkeys hope to have him back in uniform for the Fall 2010 campaign.

Next Game: August 17 2010. 6:45 pm, Lemon Park.. Monkeys at Wheelchair Bandits.

** Pictures from the game can be found here. **