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FL Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers lose a pair of leads, fall to Joliet

May 29, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers let a pair of leads slip away against the Joliet Slammers at All Pro Freight Stadium on Tuesday morning, as they dropped the first game of the series, 3-2, in front of 5,068 fans.

The Crushers (4-6) twice took a one run lead, but were silenced in the final three innings of the contest, while the Slammers (5-6) took the lead by scoring a pair of runs in the seventh and hung on. The attendance mark set a new regular season record for the Crushers.

The Crushers stranded nine runners on the bases, seven in scoring position. They were able to strike first in the bottom of the first inning. Adrian Ortiz belted a double down the line in right, and moved to third on Brandon Decker's bunt, before scoring on Andrew Davis's groundout.

Lake Erie maintained that 1-0 advantage until the Slammers capitalized on an error in the top of the sixth inning. Hector Pellot was on first base, when Erik Lis singled down the right field line. Gered Mochizuki's throw from right field got by Brian Erie at the plate, and Erie's error allowed Pellot to score.

The Crushers answered in the bottom of the inning. Russ Moldenhauer was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and moved to second on Jason Taylor's free pass. Joliet starting pitcher Tommy Mendoza (2-0) retired the next two batters, before Mochizuki delivered a clutch, two out RBI single to give the Crushers their second lead.

Joliet responded a half inning later to take the lead for good. Brad Netzel's double started the inning, and he scored on Trevor Willis's triple to right field. With a man on third and one out, the Slammers executed the squeeze play to perfection, as Ben Hewett laid a bunt down, allowing the Willis to score the eventual game winner.

Moldenhauer started the eighth inning with a double down the line in left, but Brian Smith retired the next three batters to end the threat. In the ninth, Brian Erie walked with one out, advanced to second on Ortiz's groundout, but was left stranded when Decker grounded out to end the contest.

Moldenhauer paced the Crushers offensively, reaching three times in a 2-for-3 performance with a pair of doubles. Mochizuki's base hit in the sixth inning extended his on base streak to seven games.

The loss also spoiled another strong outing by Paul Fagan, who allowed just an unearned run on three hits over six innings while fanning six. Mendoza earned the victory for Joliet, allowing just a pair of runs on five hits over six innings. Amalio Diaz (1) scored the save after working a scoreless ninth, and Chance Gilmore (0-1) took the loss, allowing a run on two hits over two and two-thirds.

The Crushers will continue their three game series with the Joliet Slammers, at All Pro Freight Stadium on Wednesday night. Right hander Eric Gonzalez-Diaz (0-2, 7.71) will start for the Crushers and the Slammers will counter with right hander Steven Maxwell (1-1, 3.18). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 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 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2011 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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