Barnstormers Stumble In Ninth
Published on July 17, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
Late inning leads were not difficult to come by for the Lancaster Barnstormers on their long journey. Holding them was another story.
Long Island scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Thursday night to upend the Barnstormers, 5-4, and send Lancaster to its fourth loss in five games. Three of the defeats have come in the last two innings.
Juan Francia led off the ninth with an infield single off the body of first baseman Jed Morris and moved to second on Lew Ford's sacrifice bunt. Francia, in a bit of daring, stole third without a pitch being delivered and scored the tying run when Ray Navarrete lined a single to left. Antonio Alfonseca (0-3) struck out Preston Wilson for the second out, but George Lombard kept the inning alive with a single looped to left. Victor Rodriguez drove home the winner on a seeing eye single through the right side. Michael Campbell's throw to the plate skipped by Gerard Haran as Navarrete came across.
Haran had put on the hero's cloak for the Barnstormers in the top of the inning. Down, 3-2, Lancaster started a rally when L.J. Biernbaum was hit by a pitch from Bill Simas (5-2). Aaron Herr's sinking liner to right bounced past Wilson for a double. Simas retired Morris on a grounder to first, but Haran punched a 1-2 pitch into right field scoring both runs for the 4-3 lead.
Trey Hodges and Julio Manon had kept the game scoreless into the bottom of the sixth when Navarrete tripled and scored on a fielder's choice grounder by Estee Harris. Lancaster countered on a one-out solo homer by Biernbaum, his ninth of the season, in the top of the seventh.
Wilson ripped a double into the left center field gap to score a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh as Long Island took its second lead at 3-1. Lancaster picked up an unearned run in the top of the eighth on a walk to Lloyd Turner, a stolen base and a two-base throwing error by Francia on Michael Woods' ground ball.
The Barnstormers open a homestand on Friday evening against the York Revolution on Ag Dairy Night. Fireworks will follow the game. Ben Fritz (3-4) will make the start for Lancaster against York lefty Dave Gassner. Tickets are available by calling 717-509-HITS or going online to www.lancasterbarnstormers.com
NOTES: Lancaster finished its 11-day, four-stop road trip at 6-5...The Barnstormers are 3-10 against Long Island on the season...Nine of the losses have been by one or two runs...Biernbaum's last seven homers have either tied the game or put Lancaster in the lead...Twice on the road trip Haran singled home the tying and go-ahead runs in the top of the ninth.
Atlantic League Stories from July 17, 2009
- Jermy Acey Hits Walk-Off Three-Run Homer - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Local Products Hits Game Winner in Clipper Debut - Lancaster Stormers
- Ducks Win 6-4 Over Patriots - Somerset Patriots
- 2010 Sinage Waiting List Forming - Long Island Ducks
- Atlantic League Welcomes 20 Millionth Fan - Long Island Ducks
- McCaskey Grad Matt Watson to Make Home Debut Tonight - Lancaster Stormers
- Barnstormers Stumble In Ninth - Lancaster Stormers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
