Scorpions run win streak to five

Another day, another win.

Following a two-month stretch devoid of anything longer than a two-game winning streak, Yuma's 9-3 win over Maui Na Koa Ikaika on Friday at Desert Sun Stadium extended its win streak to five.

Though his team is still in last place and sitting 10 games out of a playoff spot, Yuma player-manager Jose Canseco said the Scorpions can make the playoffs.

“Absolutely,” Canseco said. “What do we have? Just under 40 games left? We definitely still have a chance.”

Yuma righty Andrew Romo took the start, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two, earning his first victory since June 21. The solid start snapped Romo out of a small funk, as he went 0-2 with a 14.72 ERA in his previous three starts. Though he didn't look sharp early—Maui jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first—Romo settled down as the game went on.

“With our kind of offense, he only has to hold them there,” Canseco said. “Hold them under five (runs) and we'll be all right.”

Facing a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the fourth, Canseco gave Yuma its first lead of the night by crushing a pitch to the right field gap for a two-run double. Then the Scorpions poured it on in the fifth with a four-run frame, getting an RBI double from Beau Riportella and an RBI triple from Joey Gathright in the process. Gathright also made an impressive diving grab in left-center field in the top of the sixth.

The Scorpions cruised from there, as James Hoyt followed up Romo's performance with two scoreless frames.

“That's a big part of why we're winning,” Canseco said. “Everyone is fitting into their roles and knows their roles now.”

Yuma will host Maui at 7:35 tonight at Desert Sun Stadium before embarking on a lengthy road trip, as it will play 30 games in 30 days. The road trip includes an unorthodox stretch of nine games, including four doubleheaders, from Aug. 3 – Aug. 7.

“It's independent baseball and that's the way it happens,” Canseco said. “You just have to go along with it.”