Decker's sacrifice bunt completes come from behind victory
Published on July 27, 2012 under Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers made a 4-0 deficit disappear at All Pro Freight Stadium on Friday night, and it was Brandon Decker's ninth inning sacrifice bunt, combined with a throwing error that scored two to complete the comeback in a 5-4 victory over the Road Warriors.
The victory for the Crushers (35-28) was their third in their final at bat this season, and gives them five out of their last six at home. The Road Warriors fell to 1-2 with the loss.
The contest endured a one hour and five minute rain delay with a runner on second and one out in the bottom of the fifth. Starting pitching dominated the contest until the rain came, and both teams used two out rallies in the second half of the contest to get on the board.
The Road Warriors scored all of their runs with two outs in the sixth inning. There were runners at the corners with two outs, when Ben Magsig stroked the first of four consecutive run scoring singles. Doug Thennis, Will Arnold and Ryan Kaup followed with RBI base hits to complete the big inning.
The Crushers capitalized on a couple of errors and a wild pitch to dig back into the contest. Adrian Ortiz belted a two out single to score Brian Erie, and then a wild pitch scored both Decker and Ortiz to make it a 4-3 contest.
Erie led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a ground ball to Kaup at third. Kaup couldn't handle it, and it would be his first of two errors in the inning. J.C. Figueroa followed with a bunt base hit, putting two on, with nobody out for Decker.
Decker dropped a bunt down, and it rolled halfway between the mound and the plate, Kaup made a sliding stop on the ball, and made an attempt to throw out Erie at third base. Kaup's throw ended up going down the left field line, and the errant throw brought both Erie and Figueroa home to end the game.
Pat Arnold started the game for the Crushers, and tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just a hit while fanning four, but was taken out after the rain delay. Jonathan Kountis (2-2) threw a scoreless ninth inning to score the victory, and Jared Christensen (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
Figueroa and Robby Kuzdale paced the Crushers offensively, with two hits each, while seven out of Lake Erie's starting nine reached safely in the contest.
The Crushers will begin a three game series with the Washington Wild Things at All Pro Freight Stadium on Saturday night. Right hander Alex Loftin (4-1, 4.24) will start for the Crushers, and the Wild Things will counter with right hander Chris Smith (6-4, 2.81). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
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