Bears Rally to Win Final Game of Davis' Career, 6-4
August 19, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Newark Bears News Release
In the final game in the playing career of Quentin Davis, the Bears rallied late to salvage the final game of a three-game series with the Quebec Capitales, 6-4.
Davis announced his intentions to retire following Sunday's contest. The center fielder was joined by team owners Danielle Dronet and Dr. Douglas Spiel, team manager Chuck Stewart and his teammates in a pre-game ceremony.
In typical Quentin Davis fashion, the left-handed hitter ended his career with a two-hit performance, going 2-for-5. He finishes the season with a .335 batting average, four home runs, 20 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
Following the game, the center fielder reflected on his time in Newark.
"(My teammates) embraced me, the fans embraced me and the town embraced me," said Davis. "I loved it. We've got a great group of guys here."
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth, the Bears battled to regain the lead. With two outs in the inning, second baseman Juan Martinez walked and right fielder Ryde Rodriguez singled. Catcher Orlando Mercado stepped to the plate and ripped a two-run double to give Newark the lead, 5-4. Shortstop Mike Richard extended the lead with a double that scored Mercado to help secure the victory.
The Capitales were able to take an early lead when catcher Patrick D'Aoust doubled home center fielder Steve Brown to put Quebec ahead, 1-0.
Newark took the lead briefly, when designated hitter Tucker Nathans plated first baseman Daryle Ward on an RBI single in the fourth. The left fielder James Roche would then come around to score on a fielder's choice hit off the bat of second baseman Juan Martinez to give the Bears a one-run advantage.
In the top of the fifth, Quebec regained the lead with RBI singles from second baseman Josh Colafemina and first baseman Rene Leveret, as they held a 3-2 advantage. The following inning, DAoust scored on a single by shortstop Jeff Helps.
The Bears got a run back in the bottom half of the sixth when Roche opened up the inning with a double and scored on a single by Nathans.
Starter Omar Javier went six innings for Newark, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks. The righty struck out seven batters on the day.
Reliever Sergio Espinosa earned the victory with two scoreless innings in relief. He scattered three hits and struck out two hitters. Closer Jorge Vasquez earned the save.
Davis was originally drafted in the 13th round of the MLB Draft in 2005 by the Atlanta Braves. He reached as high as Double-A Montgomery in the Braves' system, before entering the Can-Am League in 2009. The Darlington, S.C., native played with the New Jersey Jackals in 2009 and 2010, before a stint with the Pittsfield Colonials in 2010 and 2011. When Pittsfield closed its doors following the 2011 season, the Bears selected him in the dispersal draft.
Following his retirement, Davis will immediately step into a coaching role - filling in as the team' first base coach for the remainder of the season.
""I realize that I like coaching players more than I like playing," said the speedy Davis. "I played a lot of baseball - but I felt like it was time to make a change in my life."
Davis hopes to remain with the Bears as a coach for the 2013 season.
The Bears open a three-game series with the Worcester Tornadoes on Monday night at 6:35 p.m.
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Canadian American League Stories from August 19, 2012
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