Alvarez Delivers Game-Winning Hit in Bottom of 9th
Published on August 22, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Thursday, August 23, 2002 - Dunn Field, Elmira, NY
Rafael Alvarez singled into RF with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th to drive in Brandon Pernell in a 2-1 walk-off victory at Dunn Field Thursday night. Elmira increases their lead in the wild-card race to 1 full game over the Adirondack Lumberjacks who were rained-out tonight. The game was the first a 4-game series between the South Division rivals and is a likely playoff preview if the Pioneers can qualify for the post-season via a wild-card entry. There are just 10 games remaining in the regular sason.
Jackson Crowther was terrific in a no-decision going 7.2ip allowing 3 hits and 1 run with a season-high 10 strike-outs. It was his 2nd start with Elmira since coming over in a trade with the Berkshire Black Bears, his first at Dunn Field.
In the bottom of the 9th, Pernell hit a 1-out single to RF and stole 2nd. He distaced 3B Dan Grice on a Ron Bush grounder and prompted an errant throw. Pernell advanced to 3rd after Grice released the high tss that puled 1B Travis Bailey off the bag. Rafael Alvarez delivered the next pitch through the hole on the right side to drive in the winning run.
Chris Brown (2-1) stranded a lead-off runner at 3rd base in the top of the 9th for the win.
Aaron Myers (10-5) went the distance and took the complete-game loss allowing 11 Pioneer hits.
New Jersey has the best record in the league at 58-23 but is 1-3 at dunn Field this year.
Pernell went 3-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 19 games, the 3rd longest in the league this season. New Jersey's Billy Rich had a 23-gamer in July. Alvarez also had 3 hits on the night.
` Pernell also scored in the bottom of the 5th after doubling to left-center followed by a Run Bush single to LF.
NJ took the initial lead in the top of the 3rd with Jack Lipari doubling. He eventually came in on Craig Conway's Sac-Fly to RF as Michael Coleman's throw home got knocked out of the glove of catcher Brian Jones.
Jeff Andra starts against Jeremy Collier in game-2 of the 4-game series Friday at 7:05.
Friday night is The Valley Community Night with News Channel 36. Saturday is Holiday Inn Pioneers Hat night with WETM-TV for the first 1,000 fans. Sunday at 1:05 is the Shreibmans Jewelers Diamond Dig with Dig Safely NY. For ticket info contact the Pioneers at (607) 734-BALL.
Canadian American League Stories from August 22, 2002
- Alvarez Delivers Game-Winning Hit in Bottom of 9th - Elmira Pioneers
- Black Bears Rained Out - Berkshire Black Bears
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