Crushers Sweep RiverHawks
Published on July 20, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers completed a three-game series sweep with a 10-3 defeat of the Rockford RiverHawks Wednesday afternoon at All Pro Freight Stadium.
Lake Erie's Jodam Rivera was 1-for-1 with a double, two sacrifice flies, a walk and three RBI. He was 5-for-10 and drove in seven runs in the series.
Lake Erie made it an early blowout in the third inning, marred by five unearned runs and by a bench-clearing brawl.
Rockford starter Joey Scumaci struggled with his control. He walked the leadoff hitter in each of the first two innings and it cost him a run each time. Andrew Davis drove in a run on a double-play groundout in the first inning and Rivera hit a sacrifice fly to right field in the second. In the third inning, Jereme Milons reached second base on an error, and went to third on a groundout. Kellen Kulbacki got the green light on a 3-and-0 count and reached base on an infield hit. Jason Taylor took two balls and singled in Milons. Evan Sharpley was hit by a 3-0 pitch to load the bases.
Sharpley and Rockford catcher Carlos Dominguez traded words, then punches, as the benches emptied. Sharpley, Dominguez and Scumaci were ejected. So were Rockford pitcher Joey Gradney and Lake Erie closer Ruben Flores, who came onto the field during the brawl. An inning earlier, Sharpley had been retired on a fielders' choice in a collision with Dominguez at home.
After the brawl, Rivera hit a sacrifice fly, Robby Kuzdale singled in a run and Brian Erie doubled in two to stretch the Crushers' lead to 7-0.
Lake Erie starter Paul Fagan (4-7) held the RiverHawks to three unearned runs on four hits over six innings for the win. He struck out five and walked two. Fagan ended a three-start losing streak.
Scumaci (3-1) gave up six runs, just two earned, on five hits and took the loss.
Chris Allen finished the game with three scoreless innings and earned his first save.
Rockford has lost four in a row and took its fourth series sweep of the year.
The RiverHawks' next home game is at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, when they host Washington on a Miller Lite/RBI's Thirsty Thursday. The game will be aired live on ESPN 1380.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
Frontier League Stories from July 20, 2011
- Miners Top Grizzlies in 12 - Southern Illinois Miners
- Miners Get Walk off Extra Inning Win Against Grizzlies - Gateway Grizzlies
- Extra Innings Not Kind to Slammers - Joliet Slammers
- Evansville Earns First Sweep In Extra Innings Victory - Evansville Otters
- Beach Bums Rally in 10-9 Thriller - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Rascals Win in Tenth - River City Rascals
- River City Sweeps With Extra-Inning Win - Normal CornBelters
- Otters Sweep Freedom in Extra Innings - Florence Y'alls
- Wild Things Fall to Beach Bums - Washington Wild Things
- First Place Slammers Return to Silver Cross Field Thursday - Joliet Slammers
- Crushers Sweep RiverHawks - Lake Erie Crushers
- Crushers Sweep RiverHawks - Rockford RiverHawks
- July 20 Joliet Slammers Game Notes - Joliet Slammers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
