'Dads Walked-Off Again in 7-6 Defeat
April 23, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hagerstown, MD - The Hickory Crawdads entered the 9th inning in Hagerstown with a lead for the second straight night on Saturday, but for the second straight night the 'Dads couldn't hold on to that lead as they lost in walk-off fashion to the Suns 7-6 at Municipal Stadium.
Hickory entered the game's final frame in a 5-5 tie before the club scrapped together a run to take the lead at 6-5. Hagerstown immediately went to work against Crawdads reliever Jacob Shortself in the bottom of the inning, with Suns shortstop Edwin Lora lining a double to left to put the tying run in scoring position. Lora moved to third on a wild pitch, and one out later Victor Robles singled to center past the drawn in 'Dads infield to tie the game at 6-6.
The inning fell apart from there for the Crawdads, as Robles stole second before Max Shrock hit a comebacker to the mound that Shortslef held onto for to long resulting in both runners being safe. The Suns then loaded the bases on an infield single by Kelvin Gutierrez before Matthew Page emerged as the hero for the second straight night with a game-winning, infield, RBI single for the 7-6 final.
The 'Dads fell behind early and rallied in the latter innings to take their ill-fated lead. The Suns jumped out to a 1-0 advantage with an unearned run in the 1st when Robles doubled to left, moved to third base on a ground out, and came in to score when Hickory starting pitcher Wes Benjamin threw wildly to third on a comebacker to the mound.
Hagerstown stretched their lead to 4-0 with three more runs in the 3rd. Schrock started the rally with a one-out single to center before Gutierrez reached on a ground ball that ricocheted off of Benjamin on the mound resulting in an infield hit. Page followed with a 2-RBI triple down the right field line while Ryan Ripken delivered an RBI double to center to give the Suns a 4-run advantage.
The Crawdads got back in the game in the 5th, as Yeyson Yrizarri and Frandy De La Rosa both singled and came in to score on a 2-RBI base knock from Chuck Moorman to cut the 'Dads deficit in half at 4-2. Hickory then took their first lead of the night in the top of the 7th, when Jose Almonte lined an opposite field 3-run home run to right that put the Crawdads ahead 5-4.
The Suns quickly responded in the bottom of the frame with a double from Austin Davidson, a fielding error by 'Dads reliever Tyler Davis, and an RBI sacrifice fly by Schrock to tie the game at 5-5.
Hickory then received a gift to start the 9th inning when De La Rosa hit a routine fly ball to center that Robles lost in the lights resulting in a bloop double. Moorman followed with a sacrifice bunt to move De La Rosa to third before Almonte delivered again with a RBI groundout to put the Crawdads ahead 6-5. The lead didn't survive the 9th however, as Hagerstown rallied for their second straight walk-off win with the 7-6 final score.
Almonte finished the game 1-4 with his second homer of the season and 4 RBI to lead the 'Dads. Moorman went 2-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored, while De La Rosa ended the night 2-3 with a double, three runs scored, and two stolen bases.
Hagerstown reliever Mariano Rivera III (2-0) earned the win with one run allowed on one hit and one strikeout over his 2 innings pitched. Shortslef (0-1) took the loss for Hickory.
The Crawdads (11-6) will try to salvage the final game of their 4-game series and earn a split against the Suns (12-5) Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:05 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 23, 2016
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- Matt Page Wins Game Two Nights in a Row - Hagerstown Suns
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- Naylor, Hoppers Top Claws 6-1 on Saturday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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- Power win over Legends - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Tourists Win Pitchers Duel against Braves - Asheville Tourists
- Fireflies Game Notes: April 23 at Greenville (Game 17) - Columbia Fireflies
- Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes for April 23, 2016 - Delmarva Shorebirds
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