Game 41: Miners vs. Bucs, 2:00 p.m.

This afternoon the Mat-Su Miners close the 2011 Alaska Baseball League season by playing the Anchorage Bucs. The Miners enter the contest, perhaps playing their best baseball of the season, and have won five straight. Last night, the Miners used a six-run sixth-inning to come from behind to beat the Bucs, 10-7. The win mark the Miners seventh of the season against the Bucs, and helped the Miners reach 20 ABL wins for the season.

Today the Miners hand the baseball to Co-Pitching MVP, David Gibson (Jr./Bluefield). Gibson, who opened the season for the Miners by starting the season-opener on June 8th, will make his ninth start in a Miners uniform. The Williamsburg, Va.-native, who will transfer to Southern Poly in Georgia this fall, enters the game with a 3-1 record and an earned run average of 2.58. Gibson pitched on Tuesday night, throwing two-scoreless frames against the Peninsula Oilers. Gibson has the opportunity to set the mark for innings pitched by a Miner this season, trailing Jeff Gonzales by 6 1/3 innings. The left-hander's 30 strike-outs lead the Green and Gold.

Alaska Baseball League Standings (W-L-GB)

1. Oilers 23-12 --
2. Miners 20-15 3
3. Pilots 17-18 6
4. Bucs 16-19 7
5. Fire 12-24 11.5

Today's Game: Miners (20-15) vs. Bucs (16-19)

First-pitch: 2:00 p.m. from Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. It is MTA Fan Appreciation Day at the ball-park. All fans will be granted admission free of charge.

Media: Matt Dudas and Michael Broskowski have the call, beginning at 1:40 p.m. with the Mat-Su Miners Pre-Game Show. Fans can listen to the broadcast locally on Q99.7, and worldwide on www.matsuminers.org.

Pre-Game Guests: Michael Broskowski will talk with Miners pitcher Ryan Dull (Jr./UNC-Asheville), while Matt Dudas will sit down with Miners manager Brian Yocke.

-Matt Dudas