'Birds Best 'Gades to Increase Lead
August 20, 2013 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Hudson Valley Renegades News Release
ABERDEEN, MD (August 19, 2013) - The last time the Renegades visited Ripken Stadium, they were putting the finishing touches on a sweep in the first series of the 2013 season. Since then, the IronBirds have been on their way up to take hold of the top spot in the McNamara Division, while the Renegades have struggled in the month of August to slip to third. The problems continued on Monday night in Aberdeen, as the IronBirds broke a 3-3 tie with a pair of runs in the seventh to take the first game of a quick two game series 5-3. With the loss, Hudson Valley is now four and half games back of their divisional foe.
Despite a pair of singles in the top of the first against Sebastian Vader, the Renegades could not score. Aberdeen, on the other hand, had no problem greeting Jaime Schultz rudely with three runs in the bottom of the inning. After a walk to Mike Yastrzemski with one out, Trey Mancini went deep for the third time this season to give the 'Birds a 2-0 lead. Schultz then issued two more walks before making an errant pickoff throw to first that scored Connor Bierfeldt that made it 3-0.
As they showed in the Lowell series, the comeback started quietly for the Renegades. A two out rally in the top of the fourth started with two straight singles by Darryl George and Julian Ridings. James Harris then grounded an RBI single into center, moving to second on the throw to the plate from Yastrzemski. With the tying runs in scoring position, John Alexander grounded out to short to end the inning.
Facing Colton Reavis in the fifth, Yastrzemski inched closer to the cycle with a one out triple to center. But Reavis struck out Mancini and got Austin Wynns to ground out to end the inning after a two out walk to Bierfeldt. Aberdeen's 3-1 lead held until the seventh inning, when the 'Gades used two runs to tie the score against Vader. A leadoff sing;e by Ridings and a walk to Harris set the table for Alexander to drop down a sacrifice bunt to move the tying runs into scoring position. Ariel Soriano came through in a big way with a two-run single into center that tied the game and ended Vader's night.
The tie wouldn't stick for long after Jared Breen singled off Reavis with one out in the seventh. After Yastrsemski popped out to first, Mancini did it again with a tie-breaking double to right that made it 4-3. Reavis (1-1) left the game for Justin Choate, who promptly gave up a single to Bierfeldt that brought in another run and gave the IronBirds a two run lead. The 'Gades had three chances with the tying run at the plate in the ninth after Harris opened the inning with a double off Janser Severino (2-4). Aberdeen's righty would then retire the next three hitters in order to give the 'Birds the victory in the first of four straight meetings between the rivals.
NOTES: Hudson Valley outhit Aberdeen 11-7...Omar Narvaez, Soriano, Ridings, and Harris each had two hits...Johnny Field stole his 12th base of the season and finished 1-for-3 at the plate...Reavis lost for the first time in his first professional season after Schultz struck out four for the third straight start.
The series continues Tuesday night in Aberdeen at 7:05 PM. Hudson Valley will look to split the two games and will send lefthander Chris Kirsch (1-3, 3.18 ERA) to the hill against first-round pick Hunter Harvey, who will be making his first start with the IronBirds after starting the season in the Gulf Coast League. The 'Gades return to Dutchess Stadium on Wednesday, August 21 to start a new two game series against the IronBirds. Great seats are still available for any of the five games on that homestand, so call 845-838-0094 or visit www.hvrenegades.com to purchase your tickets now.
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