Nicolas, Crabs blast 'Stormers for DH split
September 19, 2009 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
Cesar Nicolas whacked a grand slam and drove in five as the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs took a 9-2 decision in front of a packed house of 7,259 on Saturday evening to gain a split of a doubleheader.
Earlier in the day, Lancaster slugged three home runs, and Will Savage took a one-hitter into the seventh inning for a 6-3 victory.
Nicolas reached Reymond Cruz (1-1) for an RBI double into the left field corner for a 1-0 lead in the second, but he did his greatest damage in the fifth inning. With the score tied, 2-2, John Ramistella picked up a one-out walk and went to third on a ground rule double to left center by James Shanks. Travis Garcia smacked a quick one-hopper to Aaron Herr for the second out with Ramistella forced to hold at third. Cruz got two strikes past Patrick Osborn, but the Blue Crabs third baseman fought back to load the bases on a walk. Cruz also walked Michael Tucker to force home the lead run. Nicolas then unloaded a grand slam to deep right center for a 7-2 lead.
The Crabs were not finished in the fifth, either. Jeremy Owens grounded a single into left field, and Octavio Martinez doubled to right center to add a sixth run before Cruz could get out of the inning.
Ryan Mulhern socked a two-run homer, his 16th of the season in the fourth off eventual winner Paul Estrada (4-1) for Lancaster's only two runs on the game.
In the opener, Savage (1-0), made his first official start after getting rained out at York last Saturday, two innings into his Barnstormers debut. The right-hander retired 17 of the first 18 hitters he faced, with only a leadoff single to right by Michael Tucker in the fifth inning interrupting perfection. Rich Giannotti earned a two-out walk in the sixth, and Savage avoided any trouble there by striking out Brent Krause to end the inning.
Meanwhile, the Barnstormers reached knuckleballer Joe Gannon (9-17) for three homers, all from the left side of the plate. L.J. Biernbaum cracked the first, leading off the second inning with a blast that landed on the rear of the right field picnic deck. One inning later, Lloyd Turner's fly ball was lost in the sun by Krause for a double, and Jason Cooper followed with a homer onto the canopies.
Jed Morris gave Lancaster the rest of its runs. He ripped a two-run homer in the fourth and followed a Matt Watson double to center with an RBI single in the sixth for a 6-0 lead. Gannon, who was making his third start in six days, retired the final seven batters he faced, tossing his fifth complete game of the year.
Savage's shutout bid was broken up by Travis Garcia with a booming homer to left leading off the seventh. Tucker walked and took second on a ground out by Cesar Nicolas. Jeremy Owens beat out an infield single, and Lance Burkhart ripped a sidearm offering into left center to score Tucker. Owens came across on a looping single to center by Mike Just. Aaron Herr, who put on a day-long exhibition defensively, saved any further damage by spearing a sharp grounder by Chuck Jeroloman and turning it into a 5-3 double play.
Ross Peeples worked a scoreless eighth before walking Nicolas to start the ninth. Tommy Herr went to Joanniel Montero who fanned Owens and Just swinging and Burkhart looking to record his first Atlantic League save.
The two teams conclude the 2009 regular season on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 on Fan Appreciation Day. Team posters will be given away at the gate. Trey Hodges (5-5) has the start for the Barnstormers. Tickets are available online at www.lancasterbarnstormers.com or at the stadium box office.
Atlantic League Stories from September 19, 2009
- Nicolas, Crabs blast 'Stormers for DH split - Lancaster Stormers
- Camden uses two-run seventh to edge Ducks - Long Island Ducks
- Patriots come out on Top 6-2 - Somerset Patriots
- Savage Shines In Afternoon Win - Lancaster Stormers
- LHP John Halama Returns To Blue Crabs For Playoffs - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Join the Bluefish at Harbor Yard for fireworks - Bridgeport Bluefish
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
