Capahas manager Bolen notches win No. 1,400

~ The Capahas sneaked past visiting Perryville 6-4 on Friday

Jess Bolen regarded his latest milestone much the way he has the many others during his long and decorated career.

What's the big deal?

That was the Plaza Tire Capahas manager's take on career win No. 1,400, a 6-4 home victory over the Perryville Longhorns on Friday.

"I don't know. It just proves you've been around a long time, that's all," Bolen said. "When you're around 45 years, you should win a few games."

Maybe even more remarkable than the amount of wins Bolen has is the fact the Capahas have been dealt just 375 losses during his 45 seasons in charge.

"What I consider impressive is a while back when I went 1,000 games over .500," Bolen said about his career record. "That's hard to do when you think about it."

While the 69-year-old Bolen, a member of several halls of fame, said he doesn't put much stock in personal milestones, he still thoroughly enjoys managing and doesn't feel his age.

"I feel good. I don't feel that old," he said. "I think when you're around these guys, it keeps you young."

The current Capahas were thrilled to have been involved with Bolen's latest milestone.

"That's real exciting. That's a lot of games," Jordan Kimball said. "A lot of people have gotten to be a part of it. I'm glad to be a part of it."

Said Ky Burgess: "It's absolutely exciting. A person who has achieved 1,400 wins and less than 400 losses ... it says a lot about the way he coaches, his personality. What's he, 70, 69? He's still out there early on all those hot days."

Victory No. 1,400 was much tougher than expected against a second-year Perryville team that had been outscored 41-3 in three previous meetings with the Capahas this season.

The winless Longhorns got a strong pitching performance from Cody Kennedy and put a scare into the Capahas, who scored four unearned runs to squeeze out the win.

"They played us really tough," Kimball said.

Kennedy, a Meadow Heights High School graduate who pitched for Meramec Community College in St. Louis last year, had not fared well in two previous starts against the Capahas this year.

The left-hander went all eight innings, allowing eight hits and two earned runs. He struck out five and walked four.

"He pitched such a great game," Perryville manager Erv Armbruster said. "You can't ask for more."

Said Bolen: "With wood bats, you get a guy on the mound who throws well and you can beat anybody."

The Capahas also got a strong start from a left-hander. Jordan Underwood struck out 12 and walked just one while allowing four hits and two runs over six innings.

After Jacob Wente gave up three hits and two runs in two innings, Trent Wise worked a perfect ninth inning for the save.

The Capahas held a slim 8-7 edge in hits and both sides committed five errors.

"We had opportunities to score more runs," Armbruster said.

Kimball doubled twice to lead the Capahas. Tyler Qualls also had two hits, including a double. Kimball, Qualls, Burgess and Kenton Parmley all had RBIs.

Jose Robles and Phil Buerck had fourth-inning RBI singles to push the Longhorns ahead 2-0.

The Capahas got a run in the bottom of the fourth and went ahead for good with a two-run fifth. They made it 5-2 with a two-run seventh despite not having a hit.

Logan Glueck's two-run single in the eighth pulled Perryville within 5-4 before the Capahas tacked on an insurance tally in the bottom of the frame.

Spencer Day paced Perryville with two hits.

Perryville 000 200 020 -- 4 7 5

Capahas 000 120 21x -- 6 8 5

WP -- Jordan Underwood. LP -- Cody Kennedy. 2B -- Jordan Kimbell (C) 2, Tyler Qualls (C), Clint Cashen (C). Multiple hits -- Perryville: Spencer Day 2-4. Capahas: Kimball 2-5, Qualls 2-4. Records -- Perryville 0-11, Capahas 16-3.