Ludwig and Martinez Pave the Way for Seventh Straight Win

August 25, 2016 - Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release

Southpaw Dan Ludwig gutted out a 135 pitch complete-game and his teammate Braxton Martinez drilled an eighth inning go-ahead home run to help the Rascals (44-42) win their seventh game in a row, 3-2, against the Gateway Grizzlies Wednesday night at GCS Ballpark.

The stellar start for Ludwig was his first professional complete-game and his second win in a Rascals uniform this year. The former Southern Illinois Miner allowed two runs (1 earned) on two hits in the second inning and then allowed just two hits the remainder of the night.

Ludwig also struck out seven along the way, including striking out the side in the final inning against the middle of the Grizzlies lineup.

"This week is huge for us and I know I had to give us a good start to set the tone for the week. I took me a couple of innings to get a feel for things but after that we all battled and began to move in the right direction," Ludwig said.

The two runs in the second inning came via a solo home run from Craig Massoni and then after an error on Rascals shortstop Johnny Morales, Grizzlies ninth place hitter Logan Davis grounded a RBI single into center field to give his team a 2-0 lead.

On the mound for the Grizzlies was Will Landsheft, who was 2-0 against the Rascals in three appearances earlier in the year. The right-hander struggled with his command in the first four innings, walking three, hitting three and allowed an infield single.

However, Landsheft got out of the innings with the help of two double play balls and kept his team in front 2-0 heading into the fifth.

Landsheft continued to allow baserunners in his next trip to the mound and loaded the bases on two hits in the fifth inning, including a double from Alexi Colon and then a walk to Johnny Morales. With no outs, Landsheft walked Josh Ludy to give the Rascals a run and that would be the final batter he would face.

Grizzlies tenth year manager Phil Warren went to Jon Pusateri and he limited the damage allowing just one run to come home, a sacrifice fly from Josh Silver that drove in Colon.

With Pusateri stranding two of three runners, he didn't put Landsheft in line for a loss.

The starter took a no-decision, tossing four innings allowing two runs on three hits and five walks.

Pusateri threw a scoreless sixth, reliever JaVaun West a scoreless seventh and then the Rascals found some offense against West in the top of the eighth with the help of Braxton Martinez.

With a full count, Martinez smoked a ball over the right-center wall for his first professional home run and it put the Rascals on top for good 4-3.

"It felt great to get the first one out of the way but more importantly take the lead," Martinez said. "I had a meeting with Brook earlier in the week and he told me simplify things and that it looked like I was trying to do much. I have gone back to really seeing the ball deep and hitting the ball hard."

Ludwig retired the side in order in the eighth and then despite a two out walk, struck out the side in the ninth to earn his second Rascals win, ninth on the year overall.

"It feels good to get over that hump, I've gone eight before but never nine," Ludwig said. "I'm glad the coaching staff had the faith to let me go back out there with a one run lead."

River City sits a half game up of the Washington Wild Things for the final wild card spot with ten games to go, and three other teams are within three games.

The Rascals look to push themselves further ahead Thursday night as they meet up with the Gateway Grizzlies for the final time this year.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with Dylan Brammer on the mound.

Notes: The seven game winning streak is the longest of the season...Martinez was the lone Rascal to tally multiple hits, his third multi-hit game of the year...Jason Merjano has a team leading eight game hit streak...The comeback was just the second time the Rascals recorded a comeback win on the road since the all-star break...

Ludwig and Martinez Pave the Way for Seventh Straight Win

Frontier League Stories from August 25, 2016

• Miners Walk Off Again to Complete Comeback over Freedom - Southern Illinois Miners
• Freedom Drop Finale with Miners - Florence Y'alls
• Gateway Pitching Struggles in Loss to Rascals - Gateway Grizzlies
• Boomers Blown out in Series Finale - Schaumburg Boomers
• ThunderBolts Snap Losing Skid in Doubleheader Split - Windy City ThunderBolts
• Otters Struggle in the Fourth - Evansville Otters
• CornBelters Pitch and Hit to Victory at Evansville - Normal CornBelters
• Ludwig and Martinez Pave the Way for Seventh Straight Win - River City Rascals

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