Gulls Return Home Hoping to Improve Doubleheader Record

If players on the Ventura County Gulls ever make the major leagues, the problem won’t exist. But as long as they’re in the Class-A California League, they had better find a way to win seven-inning games.

Doubleheaders in the league consist of two seven-inning contests. And although the Gulls have won six of eight nine-inning games, they take a 6-6 record into today’s doubleheader against the Fresno Giants because they’ve been swept in their only two doubleheaders.

Todd Stottlemyre (2-0) and Jose Mesa (1-0) of the Gulls will pitch against Eric Erickson (1-0) and Sam Moore (1-0) in today’s seven-inning games. The first game begins at 1 p.m. at Ventura College.

Fresno is 7-3 and trails the first-place Palm Springs Angels by a half game in the league’s Southern Division. The Giants have been led by third baseman Ty Dabney, who is hitting .425.

Giants catcher Felipe Gonzalez is a highly regarded 21-year-old native of the Dominican Republic. His arm should be put to the test by the Gulls, who have stolen 12 bases.

Gulls shortstop Eric Yelding, who strained his shoulder Saturday in a collision with left fielder Darryl Landrum, is questionable. Yelding sat out Sunday’s doubleheader.

Yelding leads the team with four stolen bases and has 13 hits in his last 31 at-bats after starting the season 0 for 9. Sandy Guerrero, the regular second baseman, will play shortstop if Yelding fails to start.