NYPL State College Spikes

McKinney Shines, But Spikes Fall to IronBirds, 1-0

July 21, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


ABERDEEN, MD - Ian McKinney was outstanding over seven scoreless innings, but the State College Spikes came out on the short end of a pitchers' duel, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Aberdeen IronBirds on Tuesday night at Ripken Stadium.

McKinney set down the first nine batters in order, and faced the minimum over his first four innings of work. The left-hander gave up just two hits, three walks and a hit batsman on the night while striking out five batters.

However, an eighth-inning sacrifice fly by Aberdeen's (15-15) Kirvin Moesquit would proved to be the difference in the game and score the only run.

The Spikes (15-15) were held to just four hits on the night, but threatened on multiple occasions. State College left nine runners on base, including the bases loaded in the fourth.

The IronBirds' pitching staff was also up to par, though, with starter Cristian Alvarado yielding four hits and a walk while striking out seven batters over five innings in his New York-Penn League debut. Left-hander Tanner Scott (4-0) then gave up just two walks over three innings of work and struck out six for the win.

Both walks against Scott came in the eighth inning, when Thomas Spitz led off by drawing a base on balls, then stealing second and advancing to third via error. After Josh Swirchak got a free pass to first, the Spikes had runners on the corners and one out, but could not score.

Ricardo Andujar then led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, and after Cedric Mullins walked, the runners moved to second and third on a passed ball to set up Moesquit's sacrifice fly.

Jery Then (0-1) pitched the eighth for State College and took the loss after yielding the Aberdeen run, which was unearned, on a total of two hits and a walk. Then also recorded two strikeouts.

Jay Flaa (2) picked up the save after allowing one walk and striking out two batters in the ninth.

The Spikes and IronBirds will meet in the middle game of their three-game series at Ripken Stadium on Wednesday. Right-hander Jorge Rodriguez (2-2), who tossed six shutout innings in a win over West Virginia last time out, gets the ball for State College in the 7:05 p.m. matchup. Aberdeen will send left-hander Robert Strader (0-0) to the mound.

The Spikes will return home on Tuesday, July 28 to begin a six-game string at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Vermont and Lowell will be the opposition during the stretch.

Highlights of the homestand include Dollar Beer Thursday, presented by 93.7 THE BUS, a Spikes Athletic Cup Giveaway presented by Boyles Insurance on Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure Prostate Cancer Awareness Night, FIREWORKS presented by Vision Creative Solutions and ESPN Radio 1450, Bark in the Park Night presented by Metzger Animal Hospital, and the annual Paint the Park Pink Night presented by Mount Nittany Health.

Tickets for each game of the homestand from July 28 to August 2, as well as every date remaining on the Spikes' 10th Season home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Box Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and print single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Catch all of the action on Wednesday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Hershey Medical Group, at 6:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Ripken Stadium. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by the club's flagship radio home, 95.3 FM 3WZ, and on the 3WZ mobile apps, available on Google Play and the App Store.

Check out the State College Spikes Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from July 21, 2015


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