Lead Slips Away As Revs Fall Half A Game Back In Final Contest Before Showdown With Barnstormers
Published on July 7, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
York Revolution News Release
The York Revolution missed an opportunity to assure themselves of at least a first place tie heading into this weekend's showdown against Lancaster, as a five-run lead slipped away in an 11-9 loss to the Long Island Ducks on Wednesday night at Sovereign Bank Stadium. The Revs fall to half a game behind Lancaster for first place and are off on Thursday, before trekking east to Clipper Magazine Stadium for Friday's opener in a series that will determine the Freedom Division's First Half Champion.
Ray Navarrete gave Long Island a first inning lead with a solo homer to left, but the Revs responded with a four-spot to take command early. After Chris Walker scored on Navarrete's throwing error from left field to tie the game, Vince Harrison and Val Majewski stroked RBI singles, and Chris Nowak gave York a 4-1 lead on a sac fly to center.
Long Island chipped away with a run in the fourth on a two-out bloop single by Tom Pennino, and a homer to right-center by Matt Esquivel with two outs in the fifth, pulling within 4-3.
The Revs ripped off another four-spot in the bottom of the fifth inning, as their lead grew to a sizable 8-3 advantage. Scott Grimes started the rally with a single, ending Joselo Diaz' streak of 12 consecutive batters retired. Walker then drew a base on balls, and Ramon Castro launched a three-run homer to left. Jose Herrera followed with a solo homer to right, going back-to-back.
Just that quickly, Long Island answered with their own four-run inning in the top of the sixth. After a two-out error extended the inning, Dan Lyons singled, and after a close two-strike pitch that was called a ball, Kennard Jones slammed a three-run homer to left-center, cutting York's lead to 8-6. Esquivel later doubled off the fence in center, driving in another run to cut it to 8-7. York's lead remained intact as Javier Colina was thrown out at the plate, attempting to score on the play.
The Ducks took the lead just one inning later, however, as J.R. House connected on a two-run homer to left, and York's fifth unearned run allowed on the night scored when Kraig Binick came across on a wild pitch, after reaching on an error earlier in the inning, as Long Island jumped on top 10-8.
Walker blasted a solo homer to right in the bottom of the seventh bringing York back within 10-9. Majewski then led off the bottom of the eighth with a double, but the Revs were unable to bring him home, stranding the tying run at third.
Binick doubled, stole third, and scored on Pennino's sac fly in the top of the ninth for an insurance run, giving Long Island the final tally of 11-9.
The Revs mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the ninth when Castro and Herrera each singled on 1-2 fastballs and Harrison was plunked with a pitched ball to load the bases. Majewski then lined the first pitch he saw deep to right, but Esquivel made the catch just in front of the fence to end the game.
York will now await the result of Lancaster's game in Camden on Thursday night. A Lancaster win, and the Revs would fall to a full game back, needing to win three of four against the Barnstormers this weekend. A Lancaster loss, and the two teams would square off tied for first, with the Revs needing just a four-game split, already holding a head-to-head advantage in the tiebreaker, having won three of their first five matchups.
York's John VanBenschoten (3-1, 2.92) will face Lancaster's John Halama (1-2, 8.83) on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Clipper Magazine Stadium. Revs fans can catch the action live on SportsRadio 1350, YorkRevsTV.com, and Shoutcast.com (WPDC) beginning at 6:30 p.m. with Darrell Henry on the call.
Atlantic League Stories from July 7, 2011
- Rodriguez to DL - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Four Riversharks Voted into 2011 Atlantic League All Star Game - Camden Riversharks
- Flurry of Moves Bolsters Barnstormers for Stretch Run - Lancaster Stormers
- Barnstormers Chase Playoff Berth this Weekend - Lancaster Stormers
- Suarez Ig-Nites Barnstormers Win - Lancaster Stormers
- Riversharks Lose Slugfest - Camden Riversharks
- Lead Slips Away As Revs Fall Half A Game Back In Final Contest Before Showdown With Barnstormers - York Revolution
- Club Retakes First with 6-0 Win - Lancaster Stormers
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