Barnstormers Rally But Fall
Published on September 4, 2013 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
The Lancaster Barnstormers could not get a ball to drop in the bottom of the ninth to cap off what would have been the greatest rally of the 2013 season.
Instead, the Somerset Patriots, given an equal chance in the top of the tenth inning, scored the decisive run on a broken-bat infield roller as the Patriots inched closer to a berth in the post season with a 7-6 victory over the Barnstormers at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
The next Lancaster loss or Sugar Land win will lock the Patriots into the post-season tourney.
Down, 6-0, headed into the seventh, the Barnstormers got a pair of mighty blows from their sluggers. In the seventh, following a double by Joe Thurston and a walk to Travis Denker, Kyle Russell slammed a three-run homer onto the walkway in right center to cut the lead in half.
One inning later, the feat was repeated. Jerry Owens singled, and Thurston walked, setting up Ryan Harvey. The league homer and RBI leader cranked his 27th long ball of the season into the wind to left field, tying up the game at 6-6.
Lancaster had every chance to win the game off Fernando Hernadez (1-0) in the ninth. Russell drove a double into left center to start the inning and moved to third when Gustavo Molina drilled a single into right. Hernandez coaxed a comebacker out of Anthony Contreras, getting the first out at first base. Kevin Howard was walked intentionally to fill the bases. The infielders and outfielders both played in, and Owens hit a line drive to short left that was flagged by Aharon Eggleston for the second out. Olmo Rosario followed with a fly ball caught at the wall by Cory Aldridge in right center to send the game to extra innings.
Eggleston and Yunesky Sanchez both singled off infielders' gloves to begin the tenth. Aldridge hit a fly ball deep enough to left to move the runners ahead to second and third. Lancaster opted to walk Corey Smith intentionally. With the Patriots getting their chance to break the deadlock, Jeff Baisley had his bat busted by Brodie Downs (1-3), sending a slow roller to second baseman Anthony Contreras, who could only get an out at first as Eggleston scored.
The Barnstormers got one final chance in the bottom of the tenth as Harvey and Denker ripped one-out singles into left off of closer Jon Hunton. Russell bounced into a 1-6 force play for the second out. He stole second, but Hunton retired Molina on a grounder to short to end the night with his 36th save.
Yunesky Sanchez drove in three runs early for the Patriots who scored three in both the fourth and fifth innings. The Somerset DH doubled down the right field line to drive in a run in the fourth off Rich Rundles. He greeted Ross Peeples with a single to left center, driving in two more in the fifth inning.
The Barnstormers host the Patriots again on Wednesday evening. Derrick Loop (3-6) will make the start for the Barnstormers against right-hander Erik Arnesen (13-2). Fans may tune into 1390-AM, WLAN; 1600-AM, WPDC; 1390wlan.com or the I Heart Radio cell phone app, beginning at 6:45.
NOTES: Owens extended a hitting streak to nine games, and Rosario stretched one to eight...Harvey's homer, his first since August 16, moves him to within one of Tommy Everidge's franchise record...Peeples made his 307th career appearance, leaving him four short of Ben Grezlovski's Atlantic League mark...Somerset clinched the season series at 11-7.
Atlantic League Stories from September 4, 2013
- Bluefish Win Wild One - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Skeeters Fall Short of Record for Third Time in 13-12 Loss to Bridgeport - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Bullpen Parade Holds Barnstormers Win - Lancaster Stormers
- Revs Suffer Another One-Run Loss Despite Segovia's Complete Game Effort - York Revolution
- Early Offense Propels Ducks - Long Island Ducks
- Crabs Fall Short to Long Island - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Barnstormers Beat Patriots 2-1 - Somerset Patriots
- Campaign Will Raise 500K to Expand/Enhance Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark - York Revolution
- Somerset Patriots Place Playoff Tickets on Sale - Somerset Patriots
- Ducks, March of Dimes Team up for "March to the Title" - Long Island Ducks
- Come See Roger Clemens at Harbor Yard Today - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Barnstormers Rally But Fall - Lancaster Stormers
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