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FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers drop first place Beach Bums

June 14, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - The Lake Erie Crushers came from behind to win their fourth game in a row, as they defeated the Traverse City Beach Bums, taking the series opener in a 5-3 victory on Thursday night at Wuerfel Park.

The victory for the Crushers (11-14) marks the fourth time this season that they've won a series opener on the road, while the loss for the Beach Bums (15-10) gives them losses on consecutive nights for just the second time this season.

The Crushers fell behind early, but then scored in innings 5-7 to take the lead and never looked back.

Both starting pitchers looked good through the first three innings of the contest. The Beach Bums got on the board first, in the bottom of the fourth inning. With a runner on second and two out, Chris Kay belted a double to left field, scoring Jose Vargas in the process to give the Beach Bums the early lead.

Traverse City starting pitcher David Deminsky looked good through four and two-thirds, but then hit a wall. He allowed back-to-back two out singles to Adrian Ortiz and Wally Correa, before walking Brian Erie to load the bases. The Crushers tied the game moments later when Deminksy walked Robby Kuzdale on five pitches to score Ortiz.

The Crushers took the lead in the sixth inning on a big two out hit, and never looked back. Russ Moldenhauer was issued a one out walk, and was standing on first base with Rogelio Noris at the plate. Noris smashed a double to the gap in right center field to score Moldenhauer, giving the Crushers a 2-1 lead.

Lake Erie added two more in the seventh. Kuzdale came through for the Crushers again, as he smashed a triple to the gap in left center field that scored Brian Erie from first base. Kuzdale came home moments later on a wild pitch.

The Crushers added one more run in the ninth. Correa started the inning with a base hit, and was standing on third base with two out, when Brandon Decker hit a ground ball on the right side of the infield. The ball grazed off the glove of first baseman Chase Burch, and went to the second baseman Ryan Still, but Still's throw ended up going down the first base line, allowing Correa to score.

The Beach Bums came within striking distance in the bottom of the ninth inning, after Kay struck again. The Beach Bums' catcher belted a two-run homer to left field, but Mickey Jannis (2) responded by striking out the next two batters he faced on seven pitches to end the contest.

In his professional debut, Alex Loftin (1-0) scored the victory for the Crushers. The former Akron Zip allowed just a run on five hits over five solid innings to score the win. Randy Sturgill held the lead after tossing two scoreless innings of relief, and Jannis notched the save, allowing just two runs on two hits over two innings. Jason Matilla (1-1) was tagged with the loss.

Jason Taylor returned to the lineup for the first time since June 5, and went 3-for-4 with a trio of singles, extending his hitting to five games and his on base streak to 13. Kuzdale extended his on base streak to 13 games with a 1-for-4 performance with a pair of runs batted in. Ortiz increased his hitting streak to seven games, going 1-for-4 with a single.

The Crushers will continue their three game series against the Traverse City Beach Bums at Wuerfel Park on Friday night. Right hander Eric Gonzalez-Diaz (1-3, 4.76) will start for the Crushers, and the Beach Bums will counter with right hander Brooks Belter (2-0, 3.26). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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Frontier League Stories from June 14, 2012


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