Beck’s ‘Gutsiest’ Outing Wins for Grant

Rodney Beck may have had finer performances in three years on the mound at Grant High but few more timely.

In Tuesday’s quarterfinal round of the City 4-A playoffs, Beck struck out 11 to lead Grant to a 3-2, nine-inning victory over Birmingham at Grant High. Grant (17-5) advanced to Friday’s 3 p.m. semifinal in which the Lancers play San Fernando, a 10-4 winner Tuesday over Chatsworth.

The senior right-hander Beck (11-1) scattered five hits and walked two.

“This was his gutsiest performance of the year,” Grant Coach Tom Lucero said. “He was mentally tough out there today. They see it in Beck and it rubs off on the whole team.”

Grant rallied to score once in the bottom of the seventh for a 2-2 tie to force extra innings and then won the game on a two-out error by Birmingham third baseman Kevin Zietz in the ninth.

Danny Hussey grounded to Zietz, who committed his first error of the inning when his throw to first landed in the dirt allowing Hussey to reach second safely. Harlan Berk reached first on a fielder’s choice that moved Hussey to third. Matt Simpson then hit into a double play and Hussey still stayed at third.

With two outs, David Waco grounded to Zietz, who fumbled the ball, allowing Hussey to score to end the game.

“We have tried to teach him the right way to throw all season, but kids always revert back,” Birmingham Coach Wayne Sink said in reference to Zietz’s errant throw. “He’s a quarterback on the football team. He’s used to throwing the ball on the run a lot. I can’t blame him for the loss. He’s done a heck of a job at third for us all year.”

Grant had trailed, 2-1, before rallying in the bottom of the seventh. Beck, who was 3 for 3, started the inning with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on Danny Karpin’s grounder to center field. Karpin also singled home Beck in the fifth for Grant’s first run.

“I’m not a home-run hitter,” Karpin said. “I’m a singles hitter. Once I realized that, I did a lot better.”

Beck quickly retired the side in the eighth and ninth innings making only 16 pitches against seven batters.

“He’s the best pitcher we’ve faced,” said Sink, whose team ended the season 12-9. “He’s strong, he’s cool and he throws a tremendous breaking pitch.”

“I feel really comfortable pitching at home,” Beck said. “It was definitely one of my better games.”

With the score tied at two, Grant threatened in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out, Juan Guerrero singled to left field. Beck and Jason Peterson walked to load the bases, bringing Karpin to the plate. But on a 3-and-1 pitch, Karpin grounded out to shortstop Ernie Perez to end the inning.

“He’s been coming through for us all year,” Lucero said. “He’s got to protect the plate. I wanted the aggressiveness today. It pays off at the end of the game.”

Birmingham had scored twice in the sixth on a two-run double down the left-field line by Toby Lopez.