Lopez, Martinez Power Miners to Series Win
May 16, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, Ill. (May 16, 2015) - The Southern Illinois Miners got another stellar start on the mound, this time from Adam Lopez, and put up enough offense to make it stand up thanks to a big home run by Frank Martinez in a 4-1 win over the Lake Erie Crushers, clinching the series for the visitors.
Lopez (1-0) was in a groove from the start, getting through the first two innings on just 19 pitches. In the second inning, the Miners gave him some run support, as Wendell Fairley and Niko Vasquez hit back-to-back doubles off of Crushers starter Brad Zambron (0-1) to make it 1-0 Miners.
Lopez would allow two two-out singles in the third inning to get into a jam, but Martinez helped him out of it by making a great defensive play to rob Jose Barraza of a hit. Lopez would allow just two other baserunners the rest of the night for Southern Illinois after that point.
With Lopez continuing to subdue the home team's offense, the Miners went to work again in the fifth inning. After Ryan DiMascio legged out an infield single, with one out, Aaron Gates walked to set up Martinez, who deposited a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence for his first hit of the season, making the score 4-0 Southern Illinois.
Lopez got through seven frames, but walked the his only batter of the night to lead off the eighth. That run came around to score thanks to two wild pitches and an RBI hit by Trevor Stevens, making it 4-1. But Pete Perez struck out Jose Barraza looking to end the inning. Will Rankin then worked a 1-2-3 ninth with one strikeout, extending his scoreless streak to 26 consecutive innings and earning his second save in as many nights to nail down the win.
Lopez gave up just three hits and one earned run with one walk and eight strikeouts for the victory for the Miners, who won their eighth road series in their last nine dating back to last season. They will go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 CT. Miguel Ramirez will take the hill for the Miners against Lake Erie's Peter Gehle.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the 2014 Frontier League East Division Champions and the 2012 Frontier League Champions. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in 2007, their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the Rent One Park box office at 618-998-8499. For any additional information, visit our website at www.southernillinoisminers.com.
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