
Lake Erie leaves seven in scoring position in 5-4 loss
August 6, 2021 - Frontier League (FL)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release
AVON, Ohio - The Lake Erie Crushers squandered a number of chances to score runs in their series opener against the Evansville Otters on Friday night, as they saw an early 4-0 lead erased in a 5-4 loss at Mercy Health Stadium.
The loss for Lake Erie (30-33) was their fourth in a row to Evansville (40-23) this season, while the Otters have now won nine out of their last 11 games.
Lake Erie stranded nine base runners on the night, and on three separate occasions, they had a man on third with nobody out and could not bring him home.
The Crushers benefitted from the first of four Evansville errors on the night to plate the game's first run in the bottom of the first. Shawon Dunston Jr began the inning with a five pitch walk and stole second base. Dunston scored later in the inning after Steven Kraft reached on shortstop Andy DeJesus's throwing error.
Lake Erie added three more in the bottom of the second. Connor Oliver began the inning with a solo homer to right, his sixth of the season. Steve Passatempo followed with a free pass and he came around to score along with Bryan DeLaRosa on a double to left off the bat of Javier Betancourt.
Evansville battled back with a trio of runs in the top of the fourth. J.R. Davis walked to start the inning and scored one pitch later on Riley Krane's 12th homer of the season. Gary Mattis recorded a two out single, stole second and came home on DeJesus's RBI single to right.
The Otters tied the game in the top of the sixth inning. Dakota Phillips belted a one out single and scored later in the inning on a two out RBI single from Andrew Penner.
Evansville took the lead in the top of the ninth. A lead off walk was issued to Miles Gordon who advanced to second on Elijah MacNamee's single to left. Krane brought him home a few moments later on a RBI single to center for the eventual game winner.
Tyler Spring (5-0) picked up the win for the Otters, tossing two scoreless innings in relief while Logan Sawyer (17) worked a perfect ninth inning to snag the save. Aaron Glickstein (3-4) allowed a run on three hits over 2 1/3 innings of action and suffered the loss.
Eight out of the starting nine reached safely at least once for the Crushers, and seven Crushers drew at least one free pass. DeLaRosa extended his on base streak to eight games, while Isaac Benard has now reached safely in seven straight games. Oliver extended his on base streak to six games, and Passatempo's on base streak now sits at seven games.
The Crushers and Otters will continue their series at Mercy Health Stadium on Saturday night. Right-hander Tyson Cronin (2-4, 6.33) will start for the Crushers and the Otters will counter with lefty Marty Anderson (1-1, 2.49). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.
Frontier League Stories from August 6, 2021
- ValleyCats Grind out Weekend-Opening Victory over Sussex County - Tri-City ValleyCats
- Miners Falter, Drop High-Scoring Game to Joliet - Southern Illinois Miners
- Otters Claw Back to Capture Win against Crushers - Evansville Otters
- Wild Things Win, Gain a Game in Northeast Standings - Washington Wild Things
- Lake Erie leaves seven in scoring position in 5-4 loss - Lake Erie Crushers
- Offensive Burst Delivers Bolts Win in Schaumburg - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Boomers Fall in Homestand Opener - Schaumburg Boomers
- Early Offense Leads Florence Past Gateway - Florence Y'alls
- Equipe Quebec's Late Surge Snaps Boulders Winning Streak - New York Boulders
- Topa Continues on Comeback Trail from Injury - New York Boulders
- Miners Come Back Late to Take Series at Gateway - Southern Illinois Miners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Lake Erie Crushers Stories
- Early Scoring Holds up as Crushers Fall 5-4 in Washington
- Massive Sixth Inning Lifts Lake Erie in 6-2 Win over Washington
- Lack of Focus, Homers Sink Lake Erie in Series Finale
- Offense Awakens as Crushers Beat Rox 7-3
- Knotts Homers, Crushers Walked off in Brockton

