After Closing Out Sylmar, Poly Opens One-Game Lead

SUN VALLEY — Poly High saved its biggest rally of the baseball season for when it was needed most.

The Parrots scored three runs in the seventh inning Thursday to overcome Sylmar, 7-6, in a Northwest Valley Conference game at Poly.

Poly (16-10, 11-2 in conference play) completed a two-game sweep of Sylmar and moved one game ahead of the Spartans (13-9, 10-3) in the East Valley League standings.

It was the first time this season Poly pulled out a victory in its last at-bat.

It wasn’t easy.

Before Johnny Manuel’s fly ball to center field drove home Sal Trujillo from third base with the winning run, the Parrots wasted a chance a batter earlier.

Juan Vega hit a line drive that struck pinch-runner George Garcia between first and second. Garcia was out, Vega was awarded first base with a single and Trujillo had to stay at third.

Trujillo (5-0), pitching in relief, held Sylmar scoreless in the top of the seventh, getting the final out with the bases loaded. He added two hits, including a double, and scored two runs.

“I just tried to come in and shut the door,” Trujillo said. “That’s my job. The coach [Chuck Schwal] depends on me, so I know I gotta do my best.”

Poly collected 13 hits off right-hander Jose Acevedo (4-4), who went the distance and avoided trouble thanks to four timely strikeouts.

Poly committed three errors.

“We played horribly today,” Schwal said. “But they didn’t play well, either. Any time you can beat Sylmar, it’s big.”

Sylmar, which led, 6-2, after batting in the fifth, committed five errors, two by shortstop Clemente Ortega.

“We booted it, definitely,” Sylmar Coach Gary Donatella said. “Acevedo pitched a hell of a game. We had a chance to put them away and we didn’t.”

Sylmar took a 4-1 lead with three runs in the third while chasing starter Jeron Brignac.

Left-hander Mike Preski came on in the third and pitched well, despite allowing single runs in the fourth and fifth.

In the seventh, Gustavo Banuelos’ leadoff double sparked Poly’s rally. Juan Flores singled to score a run and the Parrots loaded the bases with none out.

Flores tied the score by racing home from third on a ground ball and beat the throw to the plate on a close play.