Encarnacion Powers Doubledays to Opening Night Win over the Muckdogs
June 17, 2016 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Auburn Doubledays News Release
The Auburn Doubledays, Single-A Short Season affiliate of the Washington Nationals, opened up the 2016 season with a 3-0 win against the Batavia Muckdogs on Friday night at Falcon Park. Doubledays right fielder Randy Encarnacion hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to propel Auburn to the win.
Both starting pitchers dueled to a standoff through five innings. Doubledays left-handed pitcher Tyler Watson threw five innings of three-hit baseball. Watson struck out a career-high five batters to hold the Muckdogs scoreless in his five innings of work. Muckdogs right-handed pitcher Reilly Hovis kept Batavia in the game with five innings of one-hit ball, including four perfect frames of work.
Auburn right-handed reliever Robert Dickey continued the solid pitching performance. The 22-year old pitcher didn't allow a hit in three innings of work en route to picking up the win.
The Doubledays broke the scoring drought in the seventh inning off right-hander Obed Diaz. Andres Martinez led off the inning by reaching base on an error. Randy Encarnacion followed by taking the first pitch he saw over the left-field fall for a two-run home run to give Auburn a 2-0 lead. The Doubledays weren't done there though. Ryan Ripken and Oliver Ortiz both singled to put runners on the corners. After a Luis Vilorio pop out to the first baseman, Diaz walked David Kerian to load the bases. Right-hander Jordan Hillyer then came in to relieve Diaz. Hillyer walked Clayton Brandt to bring in Ripken and give the Doubledays a 3-0 advantage.
Doubledays right-handed closer Angher Cespedes closed the doors on the Muckdogs in the 9th inning. Cespedes didn't allow a hit and struck out the final two batters of the game to earn the save.
The Doubledays will return to action Saturday night for the second game of a two-game series against the Muckdogs. Left-hander McKenzie Mills will start for the Doubledays, while the Muckdogs will send right-hander Ryan McKay to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from Falcon Park. The first 1,500 fans through the stadium gates will receive a Doubledays window cling compliments of CSEA.
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