AtL Lancaster Stormers

Mitchell Keeps 'Stormers Offense Silent

Published on July 24, 2014 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Every team seems to go through a hitting funk at some point during the season, and right now it's the Lancaster Barnstormers' turn.

Fresh off a long day of travel back from a six-game series in Sugar Land, the Barnstormers were checked on six hits by Bridgeport's D.J. Mitchell as the Bluefish captured the opener of a three-game series, 4-0.

Mitchell (6-6) did not allow a Barnstormer to reach third all night. He spread out three singles over the first five innings, two of which were erased on ensuing double plays. Juan Apodaca became the first Barnstormer to get to scoring position when he doubled to right leading off the sixth. He never moved.

Two innings later, Brock Kjeldgaard walked, and Apodaca followed with a base hit to left center. Again, the offense stalled.

Lancaster's final chance came against reliever Tim Gustafson, who walked back-to-back hitters in the ninth. He wriggled out of the tight spot on a pop up and a strike out to nail down the win.

Bridgeport's night got started on James Simmons' bloop hit to right. Prentice Redman walked, and the runners moved to third on a bunt by Ramon Castro. Chris Schwinden (9-2) struck out Casper Wells, but Luis Lopez took advantage of the opportunity, drilling a two-run single to center.

Fred Lewis, who was traded to Bridgeport by the Barnstormers earlier in the day, took over for Wells in the field, then promptly hit his first homer since May 16 in his first at bat as a Bluefish for a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Simmons singled home the final run in the fifth after lobbed base hits by Juan Martinez and Austin Gallagher.

The two clubs meet again on Friday evening. Lancaster will send Cory Wade (2-2) to the hill to square off against lefty Hunter Jones (5-7). Fans may tune into 1390-AM, WLAN; 1600-AM, WPDC; 1390wlan.com or the I Heart Radio cell phone app beginning at 6:45.

NOTES: Brett Carroll was 2-for-2 and has now reached base on six straight plate appearances...The Barnstormers have scored only six runs in their last 41 innings and have been shut out twice in that span...Shunsuke Watanabe threw two shutout innings on relief, continuing a great run for the Lancaster bullpen, which has now allowed only 10 earned runs in the last 63.1 IP (1.42 ERA)...Along with dealing Lewis to Bridgeport, the Barnstormers traded C/1B Keith Castillo to Southern Maryland for future considerations...Brock Kjeldgaard was reactivated.

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Atlantic League Stories from July 24, 2014


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