Late Angel Rally Beats Gulls, 5-3

The Palm Springs Angels rallied for four runs in the seventh and eighth innings Saturday night to score a 5-3 victory over the Ventura County Gulls in a California League game at Palm Springs.

The victory kept the Angels, winners of the first-half Southern Division title, in second place with a 38-31 record.

With the loss, the Gulls dropped to a respectable 74-66 for the season. In the second half, however, they are a dismal 29-40.

Saturday, Ventura County jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Mike Jones singled, stole second and scored on a two-out base hit by Omar Malave.

After Palm Springs tied the score in the bottom of the inning, the Gulls came back with two runs in the third. Eric Yelding and Jones singled to open the inning, with Yelding scoring on a single by Santiago Garcia. Jones scored on a double play ball by Luis Reyna.

Palm Springs cut the lead to 3-2 with a run off Gulls starter Todd Provence in the seventh. Stacey Pettis, brother of Angels center fielder Gary, doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Seoane.

The Angels added three more in the eighth off losing pitcher Hugh Brinson (11-8). Pettis singled home the tying run in the inning, and Michael Anderson tripled home the game-winners.

The Gulls, who are expected to be sold at the end of the season, conclude their residency as a Ventura County franchise with a doubleheader against Palm Springs tonight at 6.