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FL Lake Erie Crushers

Gonzalez-Diaz Outduels Banes In 4-1 Crushers Win

August 16, 2011 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Traverse City lefty Bryan Banes had defeated Lake Erie twice this season, but on Tuesday night at Wuerfel Park, the southpaw surrendered three runs on eight hits, and failed to make it into the sixth inning, as the Crushers took game one of the crucial three-game set, 4-1.

For the Crushers, (41-37) the victory was their 11th in their last 13 games, while the loss for the Beach Bums (40-39) was their fourth in a row. The Crushers now lead the Beach Bums by 1.5 games in the race for the final playoff spot in the Frontier League's Eastern Division.

Banes had surrendered just two runs on eight hits over 12 innings in his previous two starts against the Crushers, producing two victories in the process. However, he was attacked early and often this time around, surrendering four hits in the first inning.

Jereme Milons started the game with a single to center field, and scored moments later on Jodam Rivera's double to left center. The Crushers were held to just a run in the first inning, despite recording four hits. Rivera was thrown out at third trying to extend his double into a triple, and Andrew Davis was thrown out at home plate to end the inning, when trying to score on Brian Erie's single.

Robbie Kuzdale walked with one out in the fourth inning, and stole second base before scoring on Kyle Boe's base hit through the left side of the infield. Jason Taylor started the fifth inning with a double, and scored Lake Erie's third run, on Erie's single to right field.

The Beach Bums plated their lone run in the fifth inning. Tom Zebroski started the inning with a single, and moved to second when John Parham was hit by a pitch. Zack Pace laid a bunt down to move them both over, and Eric Gonzalez-Diaz's (2-0) throw to first base in an attempt to throw Pace out, ended up down the right field line, allowing Zebroski to score.

With the tying runs on second and third and nobody out, Gonzalez-Diaz came through in a big way. He struck out Matt Brown, got Jose Vargas to pop out and then struck out J.T. Hall to end the threat.

The Crushers added another run in the sixth inning. Boe belted his second single of the night, and stole second base. On second with two outs, Andrew Davis stepped in, and hit a routine pop up on the right side of the infield, but nobody caught it, allowing Boe to score.

Gonzalez-Diaz went seven innings, allowed just an unearned run on eight hits and struck out six in a winning effort. Travis Risser retired both batters he faced in the eighth inning, and Ruben Flores (16) sat down all four batters he faced to snag the save.

Erie paced the Crushers offensively, going 3-for-4 with a trio of singles. Kuzdale went 2-for-3 and reached base three times with a single and a double. Boe and Davis both hit safely twice as well, each turning in two singles. Davis has now hit safely in 10 consecutive games.

The Crushers will continue their three game series with the Traverse City Beach Bums at Wuerfel Park on Wednesday night. The Crushers will start right hander Josh Roberts (8-5, 4.37) and the Beach Bums will counter with right hander David Nathanson (2-1, 3.94). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

The Lake Erie Crushers, the 2009 Frontier League Champions, play ball at All Pro Freight Stadium, a 5,000 capacity stadium located in Avon, OH. The Frontier League is an independent baseball league with 12 teams operating throughout the Midwest. Season tickets for the 2011 season are on sale now! For more information on tickets, promotions and team news, visit the team website at www.LakeErieCrushers.com or call 440-934-3636.

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