NEWARK, NJ, July 10-Keith Maxwell had three hits, including a three-run home run, to lead the Newark Bears past the Lancaster Barnstormers, 9-6, in the final game before the All Star Break Sunday afternoon at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The Bears concluded the first half of the season with a 33-36 record.
With the Bears leading 5-3 in the 5th inning, Maxwell greeted reliever Troy Mattes by slamming a three-run home run high over the wall in left field for his 9th dinger of the season to give Newark an 8-3 advantage. Maxwell also had singled in the 2nd and 4th innings and finished 3-4 on the afternoon.
Lancaster jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning when Travis Hake hit his first home run of the season, a two-out three-run shot off of Bobby Jones. However Newark answered back in the 4th inning when Teuris Olivares tied the game with a three-run blast, his third of the season. On the very next pitch Tom McGee hit a solo home run to give Newark their first lead, 4-3.
Newark had 13 hits, including three by Wil Quintana and two by Norm Hutchins, who also drove in two runs.
Catcher John Nathans had three hits for Lancaster and teammate Travis Hake was 2-4 with a home run and three RBI.
Newark will send six players to Wednesday's Atlantic League All Star Game---pitchers Jake Brooks and Manny Bermudez, outfielders Jose Herrera and Norm Hutchins, shortstop Jerson Perez and catcher Abraham Ayala. The Bears return to action Friday night in Bridgeport against the Bluefish.
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