FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers done in by a four-run eighth inning

Published on July 2, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The Lake Erie Crushers saw a 3-0 lead slip away in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's contest, as they dropped their series opener to the Rockford Aviators, 4-3.

The Crushers (20-20) was their third in their last four games, while the victory for the Aviators (19-19) gives them three in their last four overall, and was their third in their last four against the Crushers at home dating back to last season.

Pitching dominated the contest early on, as the starting pitchers, Mickey Jannis for Lake Erie and Kyle Bruegemann stole the show in the early stages of the contest. However, the game was ultimately decided by the bullpen.

There was no scoring at all through the first five innings of the contest, until the Crushers used the long ball to get on the board. Kevin Franchetti started the top of the sixth inning with a double off the wall in left, and two batters later, Emmanuel Quiles drove him home on a two-run homer off the scoreboard in left center. The homer was his second of the year.

Lake Erie went deep again one inning later to cushion their advantage. This time, it was Anderson Hidalgo who went the opposite way, with his first homer of the season over the wall in right to give the Crushers a 3-0 lead.

The lead held until the Aviators went to work in the home half of the eighth inning, scoring four times, on four hits and capitalized on one error. Edgar Corcino drove in the first run of the inning with a double to left center. Brad Duffy then struck out the next batter for the second out of the inning, before surrendering a two-run homer to Brian Bistagne, tying the game at 3-3.

Trevor Longfellow (3-2) replaced Duffy, and allowed a two-out single to Tyger Pederson, who then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mason Morioka then singled through the left side of the infield to score Pederson.

In the ninth, the Crushers had the tying run aboard when Hidalgo singled to center with one out, but the game ended a few pitches later, after Ryan Hutchison bounced into a game ending 6-4-3 double play.

Jannis turned in his finest start of the season, delivering six scoreless innings and fanned three without allowing a free pass. Longfellow took the loss after allowing a run on two hits over a third of an inning. Josh Smoker (1-0) tossed a scoreless eighth inning to get the win, while Gerardo Sanchez (10) earned the save.

Quiles led the charge for Lake Erie offensively, going 3-for-4 and was a triple away from hitting for the cycle, while Hidalgo reached three times in four times, and went 2-for-3 on the night.

The Crushers will continue their three-game series with the Rockford Aviators on Wednesday night. Righty Zach Gordon (0-0, 0.00) will throw for the Crushers and the Aviators will counter with right-hander Ryan Zimmerman (2-1, 4.32). The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM.

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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Frontier League Stories from July 2, 2014


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