FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers Blank RiverHawks

Published on July 19, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio - Josh Roberts and Ruben Flores combined to toss Lake Erie's second shutout of the season on Tuesday night, as the Crushers defeated the Rockford Riverhawks, 2-0, in front of 2,743 fans at All Pro Freight Stadium.

The victory for the Crushers, (24-28) marked their first shutout victory since blanking the Normal Cornbelters, 1-0, at home back on June 2. The loss for the Riverhawks (23-30) was their sixth in eight games against the Crushers this season.

Rockford recorded five of their seven hits in the first two innings. Freddy Parejo and David Cooper began the game with back-to-back base hits, before Jake Eigsti lined into a double play. Jason James followed with the third hit of the inning, before Matt Greener lined out to end the inning.

In the second, Jeremy Hamilton and Reno Malay stroked back-to-back singles, putting runners at the corners for Rockford with one out, when Greg Van Horn bounced into an inning ending 5-4-3 double play.

The Crushers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jodam Rivera began the frame with a solo homerun to left field, his second of the season. In the sixth, Jereme Milons was issued a two out free pass, and he scored on Andrew Davis's double down the left field line to give the Crushers a 2-0 lead.

The Riverhawks put together one last threat in the top of the ninth inning. After retiring Luis Parache on a ground ball, Ruben Flores (10) hit Hamilton with a pitch, and then allowed Malay to reach on an infield single. Flores then plunked Van Horn to load the bases with one out, but responded by fanning Parejo and Cooper to end the game.

Roberts (6-3) was sensational over eight scoreless innings of work. He allowed just six hits in a winning effort, and struck out five in the process. After allowing five hits over two innings, he held the Riverhawks to a just a single over his final six innings of work. Flores worked a scoreless ninth inning to get the save. Alex Szymanski (4-2) suffered a tough loss, despite pitching very well, allowing only a pair of runs on three hits over seven strong innings.

Davis's RBI double in the sixth inning marked his 28th hit, and 12th RBI in the month of July. The two-bagger extended his on base streak to 23 games, and he has now recorded 12 hits over his last six games. Rivera's homerun in the first inning brought his on base streak to 19 games.

The Crushers will finish their three game series against the Rockford Riverhawks at All Pro Freight Stadium on Wednesday morning. Left hander Paul Fagan (3-7, 4.04) will start for the Crushers and the Riverhawks will counter with right hander Joe Scumaci (3-0, 2.67). The first pitch is scheduled for 11:05 AM.

The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, play ball at All Pro Freight Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, OH. The Frontier League is an independent baseball league with 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2011 season are on sale now! For more information on tickets, promotions and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.

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Frontier League Stories from July 19, 2011


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