AtL Lancaster Stormers

Nine-Run Third Completes Lexington Sweep

Published on June 24, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Another big inning crushed the hopes of the Lancaster Barnstormers early on Thursday evening.

The Lexington Legends struck for nine runs in the bottom of the third to build a 13-2 lead en route to a 14-6 defeat of the 'Stormers in the finale of a three-game series.

It was the fifth straight loss for the Barnstormers, who have allowed six or more runs in an inning in each of the last four contests.

Yoel Espinal (1-3) walked two of the first three batters of the game and hit the other. Courtney Hawkins followed with a grand slam to give the home club a quick 4-0 lead. Espinal got through the rest of the inning unscathed and also survived two walks to open the second.

After the Barnstormers scored a pair of runs in the top of the third, the bottom of the inning got out of control in both the figurative and literal senses. Espinal gave up the fifth run of the game on an RBI single by Roberto Boldaquin. He walked catcher Jake Romanski after nearly hitting him twice. Ben Aklinski also had a close brush with a high, tight pitch before making it 9-2 with a three-run homer. Cole Sturgeon beat out an infield single, then Espinal got too close to Tillman Pugh. Benches cleared once, but peace was restored before a verbal altercation brought the players from both sides out once more.

Espinal was removed from the game at that point. Danny Taggart was rushed in and surrendered a three-run homer and three straight singles as the deficit grew to 13-2.

Blake Gailen and Caleb Gindl added two-run homers for the Barnstormers later in the night.

Lancaster will face West Virginia on Friday at 6:30 at Clipper Magazine Stadium. It is Scout Sleepover Night. Fans may also tune into the YouTube broadcast, beginning at 6:25.

NOTES: The Barnstormers ended their trip, 5-7...Gindl has homered in four straight games...He has four doubles and nine RBI in that stretch...Garrett Granitz (groin) pitched for the first time since July 6...Melvin Mercedes was held hitless for only the third time in 24 starts, but the second baseman walked twice...He has reached base in 23 of the 24...Scott Shuman struck out the side in the eighth around a walk and now has 21 strikeouts in 11 innings this season...He has allowed only three hits, only one, an infield single, in his last eight innings...Lexington is 11-0 at home.

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