Norm Hutchins Collects Game-Winning Infield Hit in 10th
Published on July 26, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Friday, July 26, 2002 - Dunn Field, Elmira, NY Norm Hutchins collected a game-winning infield hit in the bottom of the 10th driving in Osmani Garcia with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning for a 3-2 victory at Dunn Field Friday night in front of 873 fans. It was Elmira's 4th walk-off win of the season, all of which have come in July.
The Pioneers loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the 10th. Brandon Pernell singled to RF and stole 2nd. Osmani Garcia beat out an infield single advancing Pernell to 3rd. Rafael Alvarez was intentionally walked to fill the bases. D.J. Johnson was most of the way toward working out of it with a strikeout of Pedro Quero and a fielder's choice force-out at home of Pernell off the bat of Kyle Perry. But Norm Hutchins hit a little tapper off the plate on a 2-strike pitch and catcher Travis Silver's throw to 1st was late to get Hutchins allowing Garcia to cross with the winning run.
Julio Perez fired 1.1ip of shutout ball to increase his 0.00 ERA streak to 23 full innings. Perez collected his first decision of the season with the victory. Jeff Andra threw well in the no decision going 8.2ip allowing 5h, 2r, 1er, 1bb and 7k's. It was a nice rebound performance for Andra who had allowed 12 hits, 9 runs, 7 earned in his last start last Sunday at Brockton.
Adirondack tied the score in the top of the 9th on a fielding error by LF Alvarez allowing Mitsuru Kobayashi to score. Kobayashi started the 9th drawing a walk, was bunted to 2nd and scored after Guerrero's single got through Alvarez.
Elmira had a chance to win it in the bottom of the 9th with Brian Jones leading off with a single. Norm Hutchins laid down a bunt and 3B Todd Brock tried to throw out Jones at 2nd but was well wide of the bag. Pinch-runner Brian Baker missed an opportunity to advance to an uncovered 3rd base while theLumberjacks retrieved the baseball on the poor throw. Rolando Bello bunted the runners to 2nd and 3rd and Bobby Hill was intentionally walked to load the bases. Brian Baker tried to steal home but was thrown out easily at the plate. It was possibly a missed suicide squeeze attemptalthough batter Casey Baker was not squared around to bunt. Baker bounced out to send the game to extra innnigs.
Elmira took an early 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning on starter Danny Miller with doubles by Brian Jones and Roladno Bello. A wild pitch brought in Bello after he was bunted to 3rd.
Juan Silvestre hit a solo HR in the 5th off Andra to make the score 2-1. Elmira is 3-1 on their homestand and is 4-3 this season against Adirondack.
Canadian American League Stories from July 26, 2002
- Norm Hutchins Collects Game-Winning Infield Hit in 10th - Elmira Pioneers
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