Flyers triumph in pitchers' duel
Published on August 1, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release
SCHAUMBURG, IL - Tony Mansolino's first home run as a Flyer was the difference in a pitcher's duel as the Schaumburg Flyers beat the Winnipeg Goldeyes, 2-1, in front of 7,082 fans at Alexian Field.
In the bottom of the second, Richard Mercado singled, bringing Mansolino to the plate. The Flyers third baseman hit a two-run home run to the left field bleachers to give the Flyers an early 2-0 lead.
The first place Goldeyes cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth. Cleanup hitter Kevin West hit a solo home run to left center, his 16th of the season. The West homer would complete the scoring for the night.
Carmen Pignatiello got the start for Schaumburg, and the West home run was the only blemish on the lefty's best start of the season. He went seven innings, giving up one run on three hits and striking out four. Goldeyes starter Andrew Cruse also had a quality outing, going seven innings and giving up the two runs on Mansolino's home run while striking out four.
Pignatiello handed the ball to the bullpen and Jim Popp in the eighth. Adam Frost hit a one-out double and advanced to third on a fly out. But Popp got Josh Asanovich to ground out to end the threat.
Popp had his work cut out for him in the ninth, facing the heart of the Goldeyes order, starting with Juan Diaz. Popp struck out the powerful Diaz, and then got West to whiff at strike three. He walked Brent Metheny, but got Dee Brown to pop out to first baseman Jeff Dunbar to end the game.
Pignatiello is now 6-7 on the season with the win, while Cruse takes the loss and falls to 5-4. Popp collects his second save of the season, throwing two innings, giving up one run, and striking out two big hitters. This was the fastest game of the season, lasting two hours and 11 minutes.
The Flyers top last season's win total, improving to 31-37 while the Goldeyes fall to 42-25 on the year. The rubber match of this three-game series is tomorrow at 1:20. RHP Jason Richardson (0-1, 6.35) gets his second start as a Flyer and will face RHP Ace Walker (8-3, 2.85) of the Goldeyes.
Northern League Stories from August 1, 2009
- RedHawks take Game Two - Joliet JackHammers
- Kansas City Falls, 2-0, to RailCats in Game Two - Kansas City Monarchs
- Holleran Tames T-Bones, RailCats Win 2-0 in Kansas City - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Flyers triumph in pitchers' duel - Schaumburg Flyers
- RailCats ace Cogan picks up Pitcher of the Month award - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Jackson, Cogan named Player and Pitcher of the Month - NL
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