Freedom Can't Complete Comeback
Published on July 30, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, KY - The Florence Freedom's comeback attempt had to wait through an eight minute rain delay in the bottom of the ninth inning, and when it stopped, the Freedom left the bases loaded and fell one run short.
The Washington Wild Things escaped with a 9-8 win as Tim Grogan and Zach Goldberg both were retired with the tying run at third and the winning run at second.
Champion Window Field turned into a launching pad throughout the night. The Freedom and Wild Things combined to hit seven home runs.
Washington hit four long balls and built an early 8-4 lead through four innings. Ernie Banks (18), Grant Psomas (21) and Alan Robbins (3) all homered early in the game against Freedom starter Jonathan Miller.
Miller (2-3) lasted just 2 2/3 innings as he allowed five runs in the loss. Going into the night, Miller was 1-0 with a 1.09 ERA at Champion Window Field in 24 2/3 innings.
The only time the Freedom caught the Wild Things was in the bottom of the first when Billy Mottram (19) hit his second 3-run homer of the series to tie it at three.
Justin Pickett clubbed his sixteenth of the season in the fourth to make it 8-4. Erold Andrus lifted off against reliever Michael Lucas in the eighth. Andrus' sixth homer of the season, a two-run shot, made it 8-6.
What proved to be the game winning run came against the Freedom bullpen in the top of the ninth. After Charles Williams allowed a leadoff single to Psomas, Jimmy Stanley came in and Psomas was sacrificed to second. The very next batter Robbins drove him in with a single.
Jason Neitz entered 0-1 against the Freedom in two starts this season with a 19.04 ERA. He left with the win improving to 6-3 on the season, lasting six innings and allowing four runs. Nick Peterson earned his ninth save of the season as he got the final two outs in the ninth after two runs had already scored against Keith Meyer.
The Freedom used six pitchers in the game. Chucky Tiffany made his Freedom debut and went two scoreless innings.
Florence (31-30) had their nine game home winning streak snapped as they will wrap up their six game homestand against the Wild Things Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Freedom are 4-1 on the homestand and will go for their third straight series win against Washington this season.
Friday nights are Fox 19 Fireworks Fridays with post game Rozzi's fireworks lighting up the ski. For tickets, call the Freedom at (859) 594-HITS or visit FlorenceFreedom.com.
Frontier League Stories from July 30, 2009
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- Fischer Dealing, Help Sliders Shut Out Kings - Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti
- Bolts Strike Grizzlies - Gateway Grizzlies
- Bolts Blow Away Grizzlies - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Freedom Can't Complete Comeback - Florence Y'alls
- Beach Bums Double in the Crushers - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Bums Upend Crushers - Lake Erie Crushers
- Rascals-Miners Postponed - River City Rascals
- Otters Lose Late Game - Evansville Otters
- Otters to Play a Doubleheader - Evansville Otters
- Bums make appearance at Munson Bake Sale to Benefit Breast Cancer - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry to Make Stop at Champion Window Field - Florence Y'alls
- Power Connection adds fireworks to Aug. 3 buyout - Rockford RiverHawks
- RiverHawks play great, even late - Rockford RiverHawks
- Otters Lose Late Game - Evansville Otters
- Kings Slaughter Sliders - Midwest Sliders of Ypsilanti
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