Oilers drop scoreless exhibition dud to Panners

It did not count against their season record, but the Peninsula Oilers continued a recent slump with a 2-0 loss to the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks, Friday afternoon at Mulcahy Park in Anchorage.

The seven-inning exhibition was a showcase event, part of the Alaska Baseball League All-Star weekend in which Outside scouts show up to take in the talent.

The Oilers stumbled however, notching only two hits in a scoreless outing that saw only three batters reach base.

After piecing together a streak of six wins in seven games that saw the Oilers leading the American League with a 12-8 record, the club had dropped five in a row — six straight including Friday’s loss — that has allowed the Anchorage Bucs (13-12) to take the AL lead by a game.

A.J. Franks pitched a sparkling sixth inning to pick up the win for the Panners, throwing two strikeouts in 17 pitches, while teammate John Schreiber recorded the save in the seventh with one strikeout. David Diaz took the loss for the Oilers, giving up the only two runs of the game on two hits and a walk while striking out two.

A pair of singles by Renae Martinez and Evan Cassolato to begin the bottom of the sixth set up the winning runs. On an ensuing hit by Andrew Carrillo, Oilers third baseman Alex Seifert’s throw to first went wild, allowing Martinez to score. A groundout by J.D. Hearn later allowed Cassolato to score.

Brent Diaz and Blake Wilfong ended as the only Oilers players to record a hit, getting consecutive singles to start the fifth inning. Diaz made it as far as third base, but a double play swiftly brought the frame to an end.

The Oilers will be facing the Pilots in another showcase exhibitioner at Mulcahy today at 7 p.m., before taking a break Sunday for the ABL Home Run Derby and All-Star game, set for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

Friday

Panners 2, Oilers 0

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