Bucs Slip by Miners in Series Opener
July 26, 2016 - Alaska Baseball League (Alaska)
Mat-Su Miners News Release
PALMER, Alaska - A seesaw battle swung in favor of the Anchorage Bucs on Monday, as the team claimed a 4-3 road victory over the Mat-Su Miners at Hermon Brothers Field.
"In this league, guys can really hit," Miners head coach Ben Taylor said. "It doesn't matter whether you're the leadoff hitter or the eight-hole guy. If pitchers fall behind, they're going to get hit hard."
The Miners (21-14) capitalized on an error by Anchorage first baseman Kody Reynolds to take an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
The Bucs (18-19) responded in the top of the third when shortstop L.J. Hatch singled to score catcher Alex Guenette and knot the game at 1-1.
Mat-Su regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly to centerfield by second baseman Levi Jordan, but Anchorage tied the game in the following inning on an RBI groundout by McCarthy Tatum.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the bottom of the sixth, as Mat-Su designated hitter Jacob Hughey added a sacrifice fly to give the Miners a 3-2 lead.
"My approach today didn't change as the leadoff hitter," Hughey said. "I just tried to help out the guys behind me."
In the top of the seventh, Anchorage second baseman Hunter Kasuls launched a solo home run over the right field fence to tie the game. Reynolds followed with an RBI double in the top of the eighth to provide the Bucs with the go-ahead run.
Mat-Su starting pitcher Trent Shelton surrendered two runs on six hits in five innings of work.
"He gave us a real gutsy start and kept us in the ballgame," Taylor said.
Tyler Wyatt added two innings of relief, holding the Bucs to one run on two hits.
Mat-Su relief pitcher Gage Burland was tagged with the loss after allowing an unearned run in the eighth inning.
"That's just tough luck," Taylor said. "It's just one of those things where we weren't as crisp as we have been in the past.
Centerfielder Brooks Stotler led the Miners offense with two hits in four at-bats, while Kasuls went 3-3 at the plate for the Bucs.
The loss cuts Mat-Su's lead over the Peninsula Oilers in the ABL standings to 1.5 games. The Miners have six more home games remaining during the current home stand.
"We need to use the home crowd to our advantage," Hughey said. "When the crowd gets going, that means we're doing good."
Mat-Su returns to Hermon Brothers Field at 6 p.m. on Tuesday for the second matchup of the three-game home series with Anchorage. The Miners have an opportunity to clinch a berth in the Alaska Baseball League playoffs with a victory.
Alaska Baseball League Stories from July 26, 2016
- Bucs Slip by Miners in Series Opener - Mat-Su Miners
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