Crushers Defeat Greys 7-2
Published on July 23, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers took their second straight series to start the second half, capping a strong six-game homestand by defeating the Frontier Greys 7-2 Wednesday afternoon at All Pro Freight Stadium.
The win for the Crushers (31-26) marked the second consecutive series they won back to back games after dropping the series opener. The victory also marked a 4-2 homestand record to begin the second half. The loss for the Greys (18-40) was their fourth in six games against Lake Erie.
The Greys struck first, but the Crushers responded with runs in three consecutive innings and never trailed after the fourth inning. The Crushers used five pitchers to limit the Greys to two runs on six hits, one day after limiting them to one lone run.
Frontier had half of their four hits against Lake Erie starter Zach Gordon (1-2) in the first inning. Jon Dziomba led off the series finale with a double, before Gordon settled down and retired the next two batters on two groundouts. However, the next batter Chris Ellison doubled on the first pitch he saw to score Dziomba and give the Greys the early lead.
The Crushers used the long ball to even the score in inning number three. After Frontier starter Brandon Rohde (5-3) retired Ryan Hutchison and Kevin Franchetti to start the inning, Juan Sanchez picked a good time for his first home run of the season. He launched a 1-2 pitch over the outfield fence to tie the game at one.
The third inning began a streak of three consecutive innings in which Lake Erie scored. They added two runs in the fourth, helped by a 1-out ground rule double by Andrew Davis. Anderson Hidalgo knocked in his team-high 32nd RBI moments later when he singled to bring in Davis. Hidalgo advanced to second on the throw home and stole third base a few pitches later. The stolen base proved key because Vincent Mejia hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Hidalgo in his at bat.
The Greys would never retake the lead, but they got within a run in the fifth. Greg Bachman was hit by a pitch to start the inning, stole second, and then advanced to third on a groundout by Dziomba. An error by Anderson Hidalgo on the next play allowed Bachman to score and close the deficit to one run at 3-2.
However, Lake Erie padded their lead in the bottom half of the inning with three runs. Back to back hits by Kevin Franchetti and Juan Sanchez, a single and double, put runners on second and third with one out. The next batter Craig Hertler doubled down the right field line to plate both runners and give Lake Erie a 5-2 advantage. Emmanuel Quiles kept the rally going with a single to plate Hertler and give the Crushers their final run in the inning.
The Lake Erie Crusher bullpen allowed just two hits and zero runs in the next three innings before Lake Erie added their final run in the eighth. Davis led off the inning with a walk and Hidalgo singled to put runners on first and second. The next hitter Mejia doubled in his final at bat of the day to plate Davis and give the game the score that turned out to be its final, 7-2.
Jason Wilson closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to give the Crushers the win and the series victory.
Zach Gordon (1-2) notched his first victory as a Crusher in this one, allowing one earned run on four hits in five innings of work. Brandon Rohde (5-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits in seven innings of work.
The Crushers were led by four hitters with multi-hit games. Andrew Davis, Anderson Hidalgo, Vincent Mejia, and Juan Sanchez all had two hits apiece. Craig Hertler and Mejia each had two runs batted in.
After a six-game homestand to start the second half, the Crushers go on the road for six games starting tomorrow with a three game set against the Normal CornBelters. Matt Rein (0-4, 6.37) will pitch for Lake Erie in game one. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 local time.
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 2014 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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