Ambassadors Top Pioneers 5-3
Published on July 7, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Sunday July 7, 2002 - Bicentennial Park, Allentown, Penn.
The Allentown Ambassadors got their first win for new manager Ed Ott and ended a 5-game losing streak toppling the Elmira Pioneers 5-3 Sunday evening at Bicentennial Park in Allentown in front of an announced crowd of 2,416.
For the Ambassadors (13-29) it was just their 2nd win in their last 18 games. Ed Ott, who managed here from 1997-1999, took over for his 2nd tour of duty as manager in his hometown when Darrell Evans was fired earlier this week.
Sean Brummett (5-2) surrendered 5 earned runs in 6.1ip (9h, 2bb, 5k) for the loss. He has allowed 9 earned runs in his last 2 starts after a streak of giving up only 1 earned run over 30 ip. Brummett entered the evening with the league's best ERA at 1.87.
Newly acquired veteran pitcher Silvio Censale (pronounced Senn-Soll-Ay) was superb limiting Elmira to 3 hits in 6.1ipallowing 1er on 3 bb's and 2 k's. Mike Meyer allowed a run in the 9th but closed it out for his 5th save.
Allentown struck in the bottom of the 2nd with Keith Maxwell doubling to left, advancing to 3rd on a ground-out and then scoring when 2B Rod Smith threw home to late to get the runner on Gustavo Escobar's bouncer up the middle.
Elmira tied it in the top of the 3rd with Osmani Garcia doubling, advancing on a wild pitch and scoring on a Brian Baker groundout.
The turning point came in the 5th inning. Allentown had just broken a 1-1 tie to take a 2-1 lead when Jorge Diaz singled to LF. Diazwas ruled safe on steal of 2nd on a call vehemently disputed by SS Ron Bush. On the next pitch Diaz stole 3rd on a play that drew manager Mitch Lyden out of the dugout. While he argued the call, Ron Bush was ejected by another umpire and had to be physically restrained by 2B Rod Smith and pitching coach Greg Keagle. Diaz scored on a wild pitch shortly after the ejection and A.J. Leday launched a triple to right-center driving in newly acquired veteran Vernon Spearman who had walked to give the Am's a 4-1 lead.
Allentown tacked on another run in the bottom of the 7th when Spearman would single and then advance on an error by RF Brandon Pernell mishandling the ball. After moving up to 3rd on a groundout by Stephen Larkin the Pioneers brought Chris Brown in for Brummett to face A.J. Leday who hit a Sac-Fly to CF driving in the runner making the score 5-1.
The Pioneers scored another run in the bottom of the 8th off reliever Adrean Acevado. Bobby Hill tripled to the RF corner and came in on a Norm Hutchins single to center.
Against closer Mike Meyers in the 9th, Rafael Alvarez extended his hitting streak to 8 games with a bunt single. He advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a single to right by PH Rolando Bello. Brian Jones pinch-hit as the potential tying run but struck out on 3 straight pitches. Rod Smith struck out swinging to end the game.
The Pioneers return to Dunn Field for a 6-game homestand this week. Monday through Wednesday is a 3-game series with the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs to end the first half schedule. After a day off on Thursday, the Pioneers will host the Brockton Rox for the opening games of the 2nd half race.
Canadian American League Stories from July 7, 2002
- Bluefish Drop Surf, 9-4 - Atlantic City Surf
- Ambassadors Top Pioneers 5-3 - Elmira Pioneers
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