The Newark Bears took two seven-inning games from the Camden Riversharks on a rainy Saturday evening at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in downtown Newark, NJ.In game one, the Bears shutout the Sharks 1-0, the only run off the bat of Rob Mackowiak who launched his fourteenth homer of the season, which was enough to win the game.
Shane Komine put up some impressive numbers after six innings on the mound, striking out three and giving up just three hits. Komine notched the win, his eighth this season. Tracy Thorpe took to the mound in the seventh to close the game and record the save after striking out two. Camden's Kevin Mannix took the loss after five and two-third innings of work, striking out one and giving up the Mackowiak homer.
In game two, the Bears came from behind to defeat the Sharks 18-8, exploding in the sixth inning, putting nine runs on the board.
The offensive fireworks by the Bears included doubles from former New York Yankee D'Angelo Jiminez, Sandy Madera, Carl Everett and catcher Luis Nieblas. Michael Hernandez crushed his eleventh home run this season plating two and Charlton Jimerson's bat was hot, going 3-3 and scoring twice. The Bears continue to have the best team batting average in the Atlantic League.
Camden collected six runs in the second and third innings and another two in the fifth highlighted by a Brian Finnegan homerun, and third baseman Brian Burgamy who crossed home plate three times.
URI alumni Luke Demko recorded his first win of the season, tossing two and one-third innings, striking out two and giving up two hits. Chris Spurling notched his first save of the season after pitching a hitless sixth and seventh innings.
The two wins bring Newark's second half of the season record to 35-26 and Camden's falls to 25-37.
The Bears look to sweep the four game series against the Riversharks tomorrow afternoon as they play their final game of the regular season at 1:05pm. Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day at Riverfront Stadium, and the first 100 kids to arrive at the ballpark will receive special Jorge Posada baseball bats. Tickets are still available by calling 1-888-85-BEARS or by visiting www.newarkbears.com.
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