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SAL1 Lexington Legends

Lexington loses both games at home and first two of series

May 9, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


APPLEBEE'S PARK (Lexington, KY) - Late-inning heroics and comeback attempts in both the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings by the Lexington Legends were not enough to overcome the Delmarva Shorebirds, as the Legends fell 4-3 in the second game of a seven-inning doubleheader.

Coming into the second game on May 9 at Applebee's Park in Lexington, Ky., it looked to be a battle of the pitchers as the Lexington Legends' Sergio Severino and the Delmarva Shorebirds' Sean Gleason both had ERA's below 2.00. It changed into a hitters' battle, however, as long balls, power-charged hits and late-inning comeback attempts fueled the seven-inning contest.

"We played a little slow, but we kept up the fight," hitting coach Stubby Clapp said. "They gave us a chance to win at the end but we didn't get the right bounces."

With the Legends down 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, two Legends hitters took advantage of the pitching change from left-hander Brett Bordes to right-hander Brian Parker. After a walk by center fielder Steve Brown, catcher Jonathan Fixler connected on a fastball and shot a rocket to the center field wall in which both the Shorebirds' center fielder and right fielder got tangled up against wall trying to get the ball. Fixler hustled in to earn himself a stand-up triple as Brown scored to lower the deficit to 4-3.

"We wanted to put some runs up and get us into another inning, and I just got a ball that I could hit," Fixler said. "In pressure situations I tend to perform better. I just try to relax, slow down, and things tend to work out."

The Legends offense made it interesting in the bottom of the sixth, as the Legends took advantage of the pitching change of Bret Bordes for the righty Gleason. With one out, shortstop Ronald Ramirez singled to center. Then, second baseman Matt Cusick delivered an RBI triple to right field to score Ramirez and make the score 3-2. Cusick's hit would have been a double, but thanks to his hustle, Cusick extended his hit into a triple, and increased his average to .381.

Severino had the third best ERA in the South Atlantic League at 1.50 going into the game. He had only given up five runs, one home run, and 14 hits in 30 innings pitched.

In his fifth start of the year, the lefty Severino gave up three runs in six innings pitched, five hits, one home run, and three walks. For the fourth time this season, Severino struck out six batters, giving him a total of 39 strikouts on the year.

The top of the third did the Legends and Severino in, as they hit back-to-back singles to start the inning before first baseman Joe Mahoney smashed a three-run home run flying over the Pepsi Party Deck in right field to give the Shorebirds a 3-0 lead.

"He was impressive and he never even gave up," coach Stubby Clapp said. "Even though he gave up the third inning home run, he stayed in the game and pitched well."

Coming into the second game on May 9, the Shorebirds were batting .224 versus left-handed pitchers.

Legends' designated hitter Brandon Barnes answered in the bottom of the third with a home run of his own to right field for his first of the year. His home run was the only hit given up by the Shorebirds' starting pitcher Gleason.

"We're just looking for one break," Dixler said. "Tomorrow's a new day."

With the loss, the Legends fell to 10.5 games back from first place and remain in last place in the northern division. The Shorebirds remain in sole possession of second place, 1.5 games back from first.

In the first game of the doubleheader, catcher Joe Melton made his opening debut as a Legend, going 3-3 with one run scored and one RBI. Despite Melton's performance and a multi-hit showing from first baseman Eric Taylor, only three other Legends had hits as they fell 5-3 to the Shorebirds.

The Legends return to action on Saturday to battle the Shorebirds. Luis Noel (2-0), 3.03 ERA) will face off against the Legends' Colt Adams (1-3, 9.12 ERA). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Lexington Legends Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from May 9, 2008


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