Mariners Emerge Victorious in Pitchers' Duel
July 26, 2014 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Pulaski Mariners News Release
Still in the wake from last night's offensive exhibition, the Pulaski Mariners (19-16) and the Princeton Rays (18-17) regrouped for the second game of their three game series.
The flow of Saturday night's game turned around by a full 180 degrees, and the pitchers shined the brightest. Led by Daniel Missaki (4-0, 1.33 ERA) the Mariners took a close game from Princeton 2-1.
Missaki started the game and pitched five strong innings of one-run ball. Still working his way back to peak form, Missaki issued two walks and allowed his first home run ball of the year.
The Mariners opened the scoring in the bottom of the third. Arby Fields led off the inning with a hard-hit single off Riley Unroe's glove. Gianfranco Wawoe put down the perfect bunt to move Fields over by 90 feet. Then, on the next pitch, Estarlyn Morales cranked a no-doubter well over the left field wall to give Pulaski the two-run advantage.
Princeton wasted no time in pushing a run across as they struck for one in the top of the fourth. Nic Wilson singled off Missaki to begin the frame. Missaki promptly induced a bases-clearing double play for the first and second outs.
The importance of the twin-killing became apparent on the very next pitch. Nick Ciuffo deposited a pitch over the right field wall to bring the Rays within one. However, Ciuffo would be the last player from either team to touch home plate.
Jarrett Brown (1-1, 6.43 ERA) took the baton from Missaki in the sixth inning and continued to suppress the Rays. Brown worked two innings and worked his way around three hits and one walk en route to his first hold of the season.
Manager Rob Mummau then went to Trey Cochran-Gill (2-0, 0.00 ERA) for the final six outs of the game. Cochran-Gill threw a perfect eighth inning, but ran into a minor jam in the ninth.
Ciuffo and Manny Sanchez started things off with back-to-back singles. Carter Burgess popped up a bunt attempt directly to Cochran-Gill who made the catch, spun around, and doubled up Ciuffo at second base.
"We always work on bunting plays in practice" Cochran-Gill said. "Luckily, [Burgess] popped it up to me, and I had to make a good throw."
Cochran-Gill has been Mummau's go-to guy in the late innings. In 18.2 innings pitched spanning over 13 appearances Cochran-Gill has yet to allow an earned run. His six saves are tied for the best mark in the Appalachian League.
Leaning heavily on a nasty slider, Cochran-Gill has otherworldly 22 strikeouts and only two walks.
"Credit goes to our coaches" said Cochran-Gill. "[Jason Blanton] has been working a lot with me lately with a few of my pitches."
The two teams compete for the series win tomorrow night at 7pm.
Appalachian League Stories from July 26, 2014
- Mariners Emerge Victorious in Pitchers' Duel - Pulaski Mariners
- D-Braves Dominate, Win 6-3 - Danville Otterbots
- D-Braves Get it Done in Bluefield - Danville Otterbots
- Mariners Lose Marathon Offensive Showcase - Pulaski Mariners
- Astros roll past Pirates to 9-4 win - Greeneville Astros
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