Hickory Wins in 10 After Legends Rally to Tie
August 7, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release
Ti'Quan Forbes hit a grand slam in the 10th inning to break a 7-7 tie, and the Hickory Crawdads went on to a 12-7 win over the Lexington Legends Sunday afternoon at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. Forbes had six runs batted in in the game.
A grand slam by Lexington's Roman Collins in the seventh inning had helped the Legends come back from an early 7-0 deficit.
The Crawdads scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Eric Jenkins drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and came home on a single by Frandy De La Rosa. A walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases, and a second run scored when Yeyson Yrizzari grounded into a force play.
A double by Connor McKay and a single by Jenkins produced another run for Hickory in the second inning, and the Crawdads added four in the third for a 7-0 lead. Tyler Sanchez led off with a home run down the left field line. A dispute over whether the ball was fair or foul led to the ejection of Legends manager Omar Ramirez. Xavier Turner was hit by a pitch, and Yrizarri bunted for a hit. A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, and Forbes followed with a single, scoring Turner and Yrizarri. Forbes later came home on a double by Josh Altmann.
The Legends scored two runs in the fifth inning when Tanner Stanley singled, D.J. Burt doubled, and both scored when left fielder McKay's throw back to the infield went into the third base dugout.
The Legends trailed 7-2 when Jecksson Flores led off the bottom of the seventh with a bunt single. Stanley and Burt walked to load the bases before Collins launched his eighth home run of the season over the wall in right field to cut the lead to one at 7-6.
The Legends tied the game and nearly won it in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Collins and Amalani Fukofuka walked, and after Brandon Dulin flied out, Xavier Fernandez lined a single to left field, scoring Collins with the tying run. Colton Frabasilio walked to load the bases again, and Marten Gasparini hit a soft line drive to short right field, but De La Rosa, the second baseman, went back and made a leaping catch for the final out, sending the game to extra innings.
Clark started the 10th with an infield single, the first baserunner allowed by Legends pitcher Yunior Marte after five perfect innings. Sanchez was hit by a pitch and Turner walked, loading the bases. Ricky Valencia hit into a force play at home plate for the first out, but Forbes followed with a drive over the wall and off the video board in left center field, giving the Crawdads an 11-7 lead. McKay then hit another home run to close out the scoring.
Jason Richman (1-0), who entered the game with one out in the ninth, blew the save, but picked up the win. Marte (6-5), who struck out seven batters and walked one, took the loss.
The Crawdads won three out of four in the series.
The Legends will remain at home to play a four-game series against the Asheville Tourists. A doubleheader will be played Monday night in order to make up a game that was rained out in Asheville July 6. The first of two seven-inning games will begin at 5:35 p.m.
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