Sports Briefs: Pacifics take rivalry with Train Robbers back to San Rafael

San Rafael saw a five-run lead evaporate late during Thursday’s 15-11 loss to the Bakersfield Train Robbers at Sam Lynn Ballpark in the second meeting of a four-game home-and-home series between the two Pecos League Pacific Division leaders.

The Pacifics (16-8) were lead 11-6 after putting up three runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Train Robbers (15-7) scored twice off San Rafael starting pitcher Xavier Stewart in the bottom of the sixth, bringing in reliever Karon Casey, who promptly gave up a three-run homer to Jalyn Lee as Bakersfield rallied to tie the game.

Bakersfield scored four more runs in the bottom of the seventh with the Pacifics’ Dan Crossan on the mound to take the loss. Stewart walked six batters and struck out one as he gave up seven earned runs on hits through five innings.

San Rafael scored in spurts, starting with a four-run third inning. The Pacifics doubled their total with four more runs in the top of the fifth inning to tally for an 8-6 lead. A home run by Beau Dorman ignited a three-run sixth inning for the Pacifics.

Telly Hill was effective in the middle of the Pacifics lineup, going 2-for-5, with two runs and four RBIs. Esai Santos was 3-for-5 with a run and two RBIs.

After the Pacifics lost the first two games in Bakersfield, the series wraps up Saturday evening at San Rafael’s Albert Park.

Golf

San Anselmo’s Drake Smith shot a 2-under 70 on Thursday at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, narrowly missing out on a berth in the 2024 US Amateurs. The cutoff in the local qualifying event came at 3-under 69, with seven players tied for the final two qualifying spots. The top 12 players qualified, along with two alternates.

Novato’s Nick Wood (1-under 71, tied 27) and Mill Valley’s Nikolai Friedman (even 72, tied 32) finished close behind Smith.