AtL Lancaster Stormers

Clutch Single, Pitching Help Stormers Avoid Sweep

July 29, 2014 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Tied with York 1-1 in the seventh, Lancaster capitalized on an error with some clutch hits that ultimately led to a 3-2 victory in the finale of a three-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

By salvaging the last in the set, the Barnstormers climbed back into a first place tie with the Revolution in the second half.

Gabe Jacobo chopped a ball to shortstop, which was mishandled by Wilson Valdez for only the third error by an opposing player in 10 games. Brock Kjeldgaard flew out to right, keeping Jacobo at first. Lance Zawadzki then ripped the first pitch of his at-bat into left, putting runners at first and second with only one out for Juan Apodaca. Facing a full count, Jacobo took off from second on the pitch. Apodaca bounced the ball to third. Travis Garcia hesitated before making up his mind, and the play to second was too late. The play didn't end there, as Apodaca was retired via the uncommon 5-4-3 putout. That brought Yusuke Kajimoto to the plate against lefty starter Logan Williamson. On an 0-2 count, the switch-hitting infielder dropped a single into shallow left, bringing both runners home. The ball was then misplayed by Tim Battle in left, allowing Kajimoto to advance to second.

Pete Andrelczyk (3-5) would work two innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and striking out two. The right-hander relieved starter Chris Schwinden, who earned the quality start in a no-decision effort. Schwinden went six innings, and allowed one run on seven hits. He allowed one free pass and racked up seven strikeouts on 101 pitches, 73 of them for strikes.

Jason Urquidez would come on to work the ninth for the Stormers with a two run lead. The inning began with a three pitch strikeout to Tim Battle. The hard-throwing right hander then hit Alberto Espinosa with a 1-1 pitch, putting him on first. He would then ring up Justin Greene, the Atlantic League leader in batting average (.386), looking for the second out of the inning. A Wilson Valdez single followed by an RBI single from Eric Patterson would score Espinosa and cut the lead to one. Still with runners at first and second, Urquidez faced Chad Tracy. Tracy would fly out to left on the 0-1 pitch to lock up the victory and Urquidez's 15th save.

Logan Williamson (3-4) also earned a quality start in getting the loss. The southpaw tossed seven innings, allowing the only four hits of the game for Lancaster. He allowed three runs in total, two earned, walked two and struck out six. The lanky lefty faced eight batters over the minimum and fired 114 pitches, 73 for strikes.

The "˜Stormers will travel to Somerset for a doubleheader with the Patriots on Wednesday, beginning at 5:05 PM. Lancaster's starter for game one is right-hander Shunsuke Watanabe, while Somerset will send righty David Harden (0-0) to the hill. In game two, the "˜Stormers will lean on Cory Wade (1-1), and the Patriots will counter with southpaw Matt Zielinski (7-4). Fans may tune into 1600-AM, WPDC, beginning at 5:00. At the first break after 6:00 PM, 1390-AM, WLAN; 1390wlan.com and the I Heart Radio cell phone app will join the broadcast.

NOTES: Lancaster is 6-10 against York on the season...It marked Lancaster's first win without an extra-base hit since a 1-0 victory over Somerset on June 11...Lancaster remained 2 ½ ahead of Sugar Land and 4 ½ ahead of Long Island in the wild card race...Andrelczyk threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings on the homestand, striking out 11...He has not yielded a run since July 7 at Camden...Urquidez allowed his first earned run since June 21...Schwinden fired his eighth quality start of the season...He was unable to record his 10th win for the third consecutive start.

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Atlantic League Stories from July 29, 2014


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