AtL Lancaster Stormers

Gailen Drives in Six to Lead 'Stormers

Published on July 6, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Blake Gailen capped off a six-RBI night and Lancaster's offense with a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning. That blow turned out to be the difference as the Barnstormers held off a huge rally in the top of the ninth for a 13-9 win over the Lexington Legends on Tuesday evening at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

With the win, the Barnstormers stayed within two games of the division leading Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the North.

Lancaster led, 5-4, heading into the bottom of the eighth, but the last six outs required 93 pitches and 22 batters.

Trayvon Robinson worked out a walk to start the eighth and moved to second on a bunt single by Alejandro De Aza. Anderson De La Rosa moved both runners with a bunt. Devon Torrence beat out an infield single on a grounder to first on which Keon Barnum dove forward to field as second baseman Chris Fornaci missed the bag with his feet trying to cover. Nick Shumpert also fell behind Jeff Thompson in the count before drawing a walk. Cleuluis Rondon provided an 8-4 lead with a two-run single into center, then pinch hitter LeDarious Clark reloaded the bases with a bunt that died on the chalk on the first base line. A walk to Blake Allemand forced home another run before Gailen's slam gave Lancaster a 13-4 edge.

Ben Wanger yielded a double to catcher Jake Romanski to start the ninth then could not locate his pitches, walking three and hitting two before leaving with the bases loaded and one out in a 13-7 contest. Donald Goodson got Keon Barnum on a sac fly for the second out. Ben Aklinski followed with a single to center to cut the lead to 13-9 before Romanski grounded to third to end the night.

Each club scored a run in the first inning. Cody Boydstun (1-0) was greeted by three singles and Barnum's first sacrifice fly of the night. Caleb Gindl answered with a homer on the first pitch delivered by Lexington's Ty'Relle Harris (3-2).

A leadoff homer by Barnum ended a streak of eight straight outs for Boydstun. Two outs later, Omar Artsen tripled to left center and scored on Chris Fornaci's single to left as the Legends grabbed a 3-1 edge.

Harris had the Barnstormers under wraps until the bottom of the fifth. De La Rosa led off with a double inside the bag at third and moved up on a flare into left by Torrence. Torrence stole second, and De La Rosa scored when Romanski's bounced throw was knocked away on the slide. Shumpert walked before Torrence took third on a fly out by Rondon. Shumpert also stole second. Harris struck out Gindl but hit Allemand to load the bases. Gailen lined a single to center to drive in two, and Robinson lined a base hit into left center for a 5-3 lead.

Barnum countered with his second homer of the night to trim the lead back to one.

Boydstun, in his third start, became only the second Barnstormer to work seven innings this season. He allowed seven hits and four runs while walking two and striking out three.

The Barnstormers entertain Lexington again on Wednesday evening with lefty Augie Sylk (1-0) taking the hill against right-hander Shawn Blackwell (2-1). Fans may tune into Blue Ridge 11 or the Barnstormers YouTube Channel at 6:30.

NOTES: Gailen became the first Barnstormer to drive in more than four runs in a game this season...He hit Lancaster's first grand slam...Gindl homered on the game's first pitch for the third time, twice against Lexington...He has homered in all four meetings with the Legends...Barnum became the ninth opposing player to post a multi-homer game this season...The average number of runs per game at Clipper Magazine Stadium this season is 21.6.

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Atlantic League Stories from July 6, 2021


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