Long Balls Back Ortiz in 5-2 'Dads Win
Published on June 9, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads got a couple of big home runs and more standout pitching Tuesday night, as homers by Jose Trevino and Rock Shoulders backed a shutout performance from starting pitcher Luis Ortiz in a 5-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The big fly by Trevino was the newly named All-Star's 7th of the season, but his first since he led the league back on April 24th. Shoulder's blast was his first of the year coming in his 19th game with the Crawdads. The two power shots provided the support for Ortiz and company, as the Hickory pitching staff held Charleston off the board aside from a 2-run homer in the 7th.
The 'Dads bats got to work right away in the 1st inning, as Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled to left, moved to third on a double from Josh Morgan, and scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Eduard Pinto for a 1-0 Crawdads lead. The score remained the same until the 4th, when Shoulders launched a one-out, solo shot over the wall in right-center to double the advantage to 2-0.
Trevino came through with his big blast the very next inning, with the Crawdads catcher driving home Morgan and Pinto on a 3-run homer to left to give Hickory a 5-0 lead.
That was more than enough support for Ortiz who tied a career high with 6 scoreless innings pitched, while allowing four hits and striking out four. The RiverDogs were able to get on the board against 'Dads reliever Chris Dula in the 7th when Chris Breen lined a 2-run home run to left, but Yohander Mendez entered the game in the 8th and sat the 'Dogs down from there for a 5-2 Hickory victory.
Ortiz (3-1) earned the win for his standout performance, while Charleston starter Luis Cedeno (3-6) was handed the loss after allowing all five Crawdads runs on nine hits and two walks. Mendez (3) earned the save with two scoreless innings of relief including 2 Ks.
Trevino ended the night 2-4 with a homer and 3 RBIs to pace the 'Dads offense, while Shoulders finished 1-4 with his solo home run. Both Morgan (2-3, 2B, R) and Kiner-Falefa (2-4, R) had multi-hit games, while Pinto drew three walks, scored a run, and picked up an RBI.
The Crawdads (37-20) and RiverDogs (28-30) will match up Wednesday morning at 11:00 am in game two of their three-game series.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 9, 2015
- Drive Fall 5-4 to Augusta in Series Opener - Greenville Drive
- Tourists Show Resolve in 8-5 Win - Asheville Tourists
- Long Balls Back Ortiz in 5-2 'Dads Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Quick Start Power Shorebirds to Win, 7-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Lakewood Holds on for 3-2 Win over Legends - Lexington Legends
- Morris Keeps It Close as I's Rally to Squash Bugs - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Breen Goes Yard in R'Dogs 5-2 Loss to Hickory - Charleston RiverDogs
- Taylor Dominates, Two HRs for Claws in 3-2 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Savannah Crushes Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Six Legends Named to SAL All-Star Team - Lexington Legends
- Three Sand Gnats Selected to SAL All-Star Team - Savannah Sand Gnats
- WV Power Game Notes: June 9, 2015 vs. Savannah - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Tourists Rodriguez Named All-Star Game Starting Pitcher; Vasto Also Selected from Tourists Roster - Asheville Tourists
- Spencer Selected to Represent RiverDogs at SAL All-Star Game - Charleston RiverDogs
- Augusta GreenJackets Announce 2015 Military Appreciation Night - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Sending League-High Eight Players to SAL All-Star Game - Greenville Drive
- Three Shorebirds Named to SAL All-Star Game - Delmarva Shorebirds
- DeBruin, Williams, Van Orden Headed to SAL All-Star Game - Hagerstown Suns
- 2015 South Atlantic League All Stars Announced - Rome Emperors
- Five BlueClaws Headed to South Atlantic League All-Star Game - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- WV Power 2015 Mid-Season All-Stars Announced - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Alvarez, Austin Named 2015 SAL All-Stars - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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