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River City Rascals

Rascals Drop Second Straight Game Wednesday Afternoon

August 31, 2016 - Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


The River City Rascals loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth inning but came up one run short against the Florence Freedom, 8-7, Wednesday afternoon in Florence, Kentucky. The Rascals (48-44) loss marks the second series they have dropped to the Freedom this month and now hold the final wild card spot by just two games ahead of the Washington WildThings. However, it could move to one 1/2 with a WildThings win later tonight against Windy City.

The scoring began right away as the Florence Freedom had their first four baserunners reach against Rascals southpaw Austin Warner. Oldham and Fraga both drew walks and then a pair of RBI singles by Andrew Goldbold and Austin Newell gave the Freedom a 2-0 lead.

Controversy would follow Newell's at-bat and it started in what the Freedom thought was a single from Collins Cuthrell that loaded the bases. The ball was hit in the air on the lawn behind first base and although Braxton Martinez didn't make the play, the umpires conversed and ruled it an infield fly. That call got Freedom Manager Dennis Pelfrey ejected as well as their bullpen catcher.

After a strikeout, the second controversial play took place and it had to do with Freedom first baseman Jordan Brower. Brower launched a ball over the right field wall that was initially ruled foul and then was changed into a three-run home run after another meeting between the umpiring crew. That call got Rascals manager Steve Brook ejected meaning both were managers were gone in the opening frame.

Trailing 5-0, Warner held the Freedom scoreless the remainder of his outing and then was replaced by Reese Gregory in the bottom of the fourth.

Leaving in line for the loss, Warner allowed five runs on five hits and five walks in three 1/3 innings.

The starting pitcher for the Freedom was right-hander Cody Gray and he held the Rascals scoreless up until the sixth inning when the Rascals tagged him for three runs, a RBI double from Josh Silver and a two RBI single from Jason Merjano.

Gray remained in the game for the seventh and he gave up the 5-3 lead as Clint Freeman hit a two-run home run to right field and tied the game up at five. Pete Levitt came in for relief and held the game right there heading to the stretch.

In for relief for the Rascals was Shane Street and the 5-5 score quickly changed with a RBI triple passed the diving centerfielder Alexi Colon and then Cuthrell made it 7-5 when he scored on a wild pitch from Street, leaving him in line for the loss. The Freedom added a run against Will Schierholz in the eighth inning putting the Rascals in a three run hole with three outs to work with.

In the top of the ninth, the Rascals loaded the bases with no outs against closer Ethan Gibbons but never recorded a hit after that, which would have tied the game up or given the Rascals the lead. Instead, the at-bats ended in a RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Braxton Martinez and a sacrifice fly from Alexi Colon to make it 8-7 before a fly out from Johnny Morales ended the game.

In total, the Rascals tallied 10 hits including two each from Merjano and Freeman.

The late offensive showing was a great sign for the Rascals as they recorded just two runs in the series opener. River City looks to add to the offensive numbers Thursday night as they look to avoid the sweep and remain on top of the wild card standings heading into the final three games of the regular season.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with Tim Koons on the mound.

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