Crushers blanked in series opener
Published on May 26, 2015 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
AVON, Ohio -- The Lake Erie Crushers were held in check by Evansville lefty Efrain Nieves on Tuesday night, as the Otters shutout the Crushers in the series opener at All Pro Freight Stadium, 7-0.
The loss for the Crushers (4-6) was their second in a row, and their third in their last four games at home, while the Otters (8-2), have now won seven in a row.
Efrain Nieves (2-0) went the distance, tossing a complete game shutout, scattering seven hits while walking a pair and striking out six to score the victory.
The Crushers only had one baserunner advance to third, and anytime they posed a threat, Nieves worked his magic to get out of the jam. Twice the Crushers recorded back-to-back leadoff singles, but Nieves got out of those innings by inducing double plays.
The Otters scored their first run of the night in the top of the second. Kurt Wertz Jr. walked to start the inning, and advanced to second on a single. A passed ball put him on third, and he scored on Jaime Del Valle's groundout.
Evansville then put up four runs in the third inning to pull away. The inning was highlighted by a three-run homer from Shayne Houck, his second of the year. Later in the inning, Wertz doubled, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Josh Allen's RBI groundout.
In the eighth, the Otters plated two more runs, getting RBI singles from Allen and Cory Urquhart to put the finale two runs on the board.
Jason Wilson (0-2) struck out a season high, nine batters in the loss. He went 6.2 innings, marking his longest outing of the year, and allowed five runs, four earned on seven hits.
Oddly, seven out of the starting nine reached safely at least once for the Crushers, and Jose Barraza led the way with a 2-for-4 performance. Barraza's double in the fourth inning was Lake Erie's only extra base hit of the night.
The Crushers will continue their three-game series with the Evansville Otters at All Pro Freight Stadium on Wednesday morning. Left-hander Brad Zambron (0-1, 9.00) will start for the Crushers, while the Otters will throw right-hander Will Oliver (0-1, 2.13). The first pitch is scheduled for 10:35 AM.
The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, and 2011 Frontier League Organization of the year, play ball at All Pro Freight Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, Ohio. The Frontier League is an independent baseball league with 14 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2015 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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