AtL Lancaster Stormers

'Stormers Grab One from Patriots

Published on May 21, 2013 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


In 2012, the Lancaster Barnstormers walked off on the Somerset Patriots in their 31st game of the season. That victory opened a stretch where Lancaster would win 64 of 91 games.

The Barnstormers are hoping for a repeat in 2013.

Kevin Howard belted a game-tying homer down the right field line to ignite a rally, and Petey Paramore banged a winning double to right center as the Barnstormers outlasted the Patriots, 7-6, Tuesday evening at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

The Barnstormers, who won for the 11th time in 15 home games, moved to 14-17 overall.

Howard took closer Jon Hunton's first pitch of the ninth down the right field line for his first home run since Opening Night, a controversial blast that brought Patriots' manager Brett Jodie out of the dugout and caused an umpire huddle. The call was upheld, leading to the ejection of an unidentified member of the Somerset staff.

With the infield playing deep and guarding the corners, Kody Kirkland hit a dribbler up the third base line. Corey Smith charged the play and made an off-balance throw which skipped into the first base seats, sending Kirkland to second. Lancaster had Paramore swing away, and the Barnstormers catcher roped Hunton's first offering to deep right center for the winning blow.

It was Lancaster's first hit with a runner in scoring position in 28 at bats and came at the perfect time for the home crowd.

Blake Gailen unloaded a two-run homer in the third, and Olmo Rosario followed with an RBI double as the Barnstormers bolted out to a 3-0 lead. Horacio Ramirez retired 12 of the first 13 batters he faced to hold that lead until Luis Montanez reached him for a leadoff homer in the fifth.

Ramirez, making his second start of the year, was pulled after five. Jonny Tucker greeted Alan Johnson with an infield single behind second base in the sixth inning, and the Patriots surged ahead with a five-run frame. Josh Kroeger and Jake Fox followed with singles to produce one run, and Johnson walked Smith to load the bases before departing.

Montanez drove a long single over Gailen in center off Derrick Loop, scoring two more for a 4-3 Patriots lead. Eddy Martinez-Esteve singled to load the bases, and a walk to Adam Donachie scored the fourth run of the inning, still before the first out. Loop settled down and retired the next three batters in order with one more run crossing the plate on a sacrifice fly by Bobby Stevens.

Lancaster scored a run without the benefit of a base hit in the sixth and drew within one on Travis Denker's sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Nate Reed spun two scoreless innings to keep Lancaster within reach, and Ross Peeples (1-0) worked the ninth for the win.

The two clubs meet again on Wednesday evening. Lancaster will send Dwayne Pollok (3-1) to the mound to match up against fellow right-hander Josh Lowey (3-1). Fans may tune into 1390-AM, WLAN; 1600-AM, WPDC; 1390wlan.com or the I Heart Radio cell phone app, beginning at 6:45.

NOTES: Peeples tied Eric Ackerman for the Barnstormers' career lead with his 25th win...Gailen's homer was his first since April 21...Prior to the Montanez homer, Horacio Ramirez had thrown 15 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings as a Barnstormers starter dating back to August of 2012...Somerset was guilty of four errors, matching the most against the Barnstormers this season...Lancaster reached the 10-hit mark for the first time since last Wednesday.

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Atlantic League Stories from May 21, 2013


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