Ambassadors Allow Four Runs in Last Three Innings, Lose to Berkshire 4-2

Published on July 26, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Allentown Ambassadors News Release


The Allentown Ambassadors had a 2-0 lead heading into the seventh inning, but the Berkshire Black Bears scored two in the seventh to tie the game, then added two more runs in the eighth and ninth innings to win 4-2 Saturday night in Allentown.

The Ambassadors got both of their runs in the third inning. Cedrick Harris doubled with one out, then Jorge Diaz followed with a double. He stole third and scored on a wild throw from catcher Chris Briones. The Ambassadors had chances for more. Ender Gonzalez walked, but was then picked off first by Black Bear starter Jim Dedrick. Back-to-back singles from Vic Davilla and Marlon Roche followed, but Brian Macchi grounded out to end the inning.

The Ambassadors would leave the bases loaded in the fifth, and take the 2-0 lead to the seventh. Mike Riley, who had been cruising along, allowing only two infield hits and one walk until the seventh, gave up back-to-back singles to Briones and Manny Crespo to begin the inning. He then got Shane Hopper to fly out, but walked Pete Paciorek. Jose Guerrero came into the game, and had to change gloves because his glove was two-toned. The Ambassadors at that point protested the game, and played the rest under protest. Guerrero gave up a two run single to Ryan Jones which tied the game at two. He got out of the inning without allowing any further damage.

But Jose Mateo would triple to lead off the eighth, after Ambassador manager Ed Ott asked the umpires to check Mateo's bat for excessive pine tar and Mateo was forced to get another bat. Mark Burnett then followed with a sacrifice fly and Berkshire took the lead.

The Ambassadors tried to rally in the eighth. Ed Ott was thrown out of the game when Brian Macchi was called out on a check swing for strike three. Ott argued with first base umpire Todd Shield before being ejected. After the delay, Tito Cruz doubled on the first pitch he saw from reliever Eddie Aucoin with two outs, then Kevin Moore walked on four pitches. Greg Schmidt pinch hit for Luis Melendez, but struck out swinging to end the inning.

Berkshire would add another run in the ninth, and Matt Bailie came in and worked a perfect bottom of the ninth for his eighth save. Chris Kelly got the win, pitching two innings in relief. He is now 3-1. Jose Guerrero took the loss, he is 1-3. Mateo finished the night 3-5 with a triple and a run scored, while Jones was 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI. The loss drops the Ambassadors record to 5-11, while Berkshire improves to 7-8. The two teams play again in the rubber game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 5:05 at Bicentennial Park.

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Canadian American League Stories from July 26, 2003


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