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Fielders Withstand Scorpions Comeback in 10-9 Victory

June 5, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Lake County Fielders News Release


Yuma, Arizona - The Lake County Fielders (7-2) jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, let it slip away, and still managed to come out on top to win their third straight, 10-9, over the Yuma Scorpions (3-7).

It was a furious top of the 1st inning from the Fielders, scoring four runs to take an early lead. Leadoff hitter Brandon Newton tripled to start the game and came home on Rex Rundgren's RBI single. After Lino Garcia reached on a hit-by-pitch and Argelis Nunez got on base by way of an error by Yuma shortstop Josh Patton, the Fielders had the bases loaded with nobody out. Two batters later, Quentin Luquette brought in Garcia to score the second run on a force out of Nunez at second base. Matt Mansilla followed by knocking in two more runs on a triple of his own. When the inning ended, the Fielders put up four runs on three hits and an error.

Nunez singled in the top of the 3rd inning and stole second base to get the Fielders poised to add to their lead. Three batters later, it was Matt Mansilla who brought home Nunez with an RBI single to make it a 5-0 lead for Lake County.

Fielders catcher Matthew Redding, Jr. led off the top of the 4th inning getting hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. His "taking one for the team" effort helped as he scored on Brad Payne's RBI single, making it 6-0 Lake County. Payne entered the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning, when Lino Garcia's aggravated injury to his left hand was too much to bear.

However, the story of the night continued to be Matt Mansilla. Already with a triple and single that brought home runs, Mansilla capped off the top of the 5th inning by hitting a two-run home run. For Mansilla, the homer was his 2nd of the season, but more importantly, it brought him to within a double of the cycle. Mansilla was able to get that double in the top of the 7th inning, hitting a fly ball that glanced off the glove of Yuma centerfielder Beau Riportella. The play went from an out at first call, to an umpires' decision to allow Mansilla to reach base. The play was initially scored an error, but Mansilla got the benefit of the doubt, and the change was made to a double. Mansilla had earned the cycle in his first four plate appearances of the night.

Despite the powerful punch the Fielders had on offense, the Yuma Scorpions did not cower in a corner. They knew there was plenty of game left to be had. Yuma third baseman Jared McDonald led off the bottom of the 5th with a solo home run. They cut deeper into the Fielders lead in the bottom of the 6th, scoring two runs on three hits, forcing the exit of Fielders starting pitcher Zac Cline once the inning ended.

When Cline left the game, the Scorpions continued their assault on the Fielders bullpen, which took its biggest hit in the bottom of the 7th inning. Ten Scorpions batters came to the plate in that inning, and their five run, six hit assault brought new life to the game. After 7 innings, Yuma had crawled back from 8-0 down to tie the game at 8-8.

Nevertheless, the Fielders got the lead back in the top of the 8th inning. Brad Payne earned a leadoff walk and Argelis Nunez was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. Two batters later, it was Quentin Luquette who came up big. The shortest hitter on the team brought home both Payne and Nunez on a long two-run single, giving the Fielders a 10-8 lead.

The bullpen did re-focus, and despite allowing a one-out solo home run to Yuma first baseman Juan Camacho, they made sure the lead would last. Chris Thompson came in to pick up his league-leading fifth save of the season, ensuring the Fielders would win their seventh game of the season.

The middle game of the five-game series takes place on Sunday night from Desert Sun Stadium in Yuma, AZ, when righty Michael Moore takes the hill for the Fielders. The first pitch for all of the games in the series is scheduled for 7:35pm local time (9:35pm central). You can listen to the game on 1220 AM WKRS or online at fieldersbaseball.com or wkrs.com.



North American League Stories from June 5, 2011


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