FL River City Rascals

Crushers Clip Rascals

July 21, 2009 - Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O'FALLON, MO - Chris Rigo tossed five innings in his professional debut, taking home the victory in a 5-4 decision as the Crushers edged the Rascals 5-4 Tuesday night at T.R. Hughes Ballpark. Lake Erie improved to 2-3 against River City this season.

The Rascals (31-21) threatened late, loading the bases with nobody out in the eighth. Shannon Sprouse hit Ryan Groth and Ryan Wehrle hit a pitch off of Sprouse, who threw wildly to second base. The Crusher reliever left with an injury and in came Jacinto Gonell, who promptly walked pinch-hitter Kevin Reynolds for JoJo Batten. Gonell induced a groundball double play up the middle as one run scored to make it 5-4. Jorge Gutierrez grounded out with a runner at third and two outs to end the inning.

River City had the tying run on third with one out in the ninth against Gonell. Scott Houin led off the frame with a walk and Chad Maddox followed with pop out in foul territory to first. Houin stole second on a 2-2 pitch with Scott Robinson at the plate and then moved up to third on the throwing error by the catcher, Brad Griffiths. Robinson lined a 3-2 pitch right to Jodem Rivera, who almost doubled off Houin at third base. Chris Colton struck out looking to preserve the 5-4 win for Lake Erie.

The Crushers (29-23) rallied from a 3-0 deficit with three runs in the third against Pablo Lopez (1-1). Wayne Bond and Jesse Gibson singled to start the frame, with Bond coming home on a Gutierrez wild throw to first after stepping on the bag at second. Rivera tied it at three with his second home run of the season, a two run shot over the wall in right field.

Lopez surrendered two more in the sixth with both runs coming with two outs. Eddie Tisdale drew a walk and scored on Bond's two run blast over the left field wall, his third hit of the night. It proved to be the game winner as Lake Erie took a 5-3 lead.

Rigo (1-0) was shaky early for the Crushers, but settled down to take home the victory. Four consecutive hits in the second gave the Rascals a 3-0 cushion. Joe Billick doubled and scored on a two bagger by Batten. After a Gutierrez single, Houin doubled home Batten to give River City a 2-0 advantage. Rigo hit Maddox with a pitch to load the bases and Colton drew an RBI walk for the third run.

The rookie from Ohio University didn't allow a hit the rest of the night, working five innings allowing the three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

Lopez worked six frames for River City, but was saddled with his first loss. Lopez allowed seven hits and five runs with four punchouts.

Gonell got the final six outs for his ninth save and second in the series while Rascal closer, Jason Lowey, struck out the side in the top of the ninth.

Houin and Gutierrez each went 2-4 in the game while Bond finished 3-4 with a home run and two knocked in for Lake Erie.

The Crushers look to return the favor tomorrow when they attempt to sweep the Rascals. River City swept Lake Erie in Avon, Ohio prior to the All-Star break. Jorge Charry (0-2) will go against All-Star, Josh Lowey (3-1), on the mound. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m.

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Frontier League Stories from July 21, 2009


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