Otters Break 5-Game Slide with 8th Inning Drama
Published on June 16, 2009 under Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
Evansville, Ind. - The Otters let a lead slip away in the top of the eighth inning, only to recapture it in the bottom of the inning on a Matt Pulley RBI single, defeating the Rockford Riverhawks 4-3 Monday night at Bosse Field.
The Otters (6-15) led 3-2 entering the eighth, with Brandon Dill coming on to relieve starting pitcher Kai Tuomi. Dill retired the first two batters, then walked first baseman Todd Martin. Shortstop Jono Brooks followed with a single before pinch hitter Matt Mazurek singled home Martin.
The Otters, who had seen leads slip away in two of the last three games, would not be denied. Greg Alexander (3-for-4, HR, 3R) led off the bottom of the eighth with a double, chasing Riverhawks starter Brett Durand. Left-handed reliever Marcus McKenzie then came on to pitch to left-hander Matt Pulley.
Pulley had been in an equally important position just the night before. With Sunday night's game at River City tied 6-6, Pulley came up in the top of the ninth with two outs and two runners on... and struck out. The Otters lost in ten innings, 7-6.
It was déjà vu for Pulley Monday night, as he had come up in nearly the exact same situation in the sixth inning: Alexander at second with no outs. In that at bat, Pulley grounded out to third base failing to move Alexander on to third.
Manager Wayne Krenchicki would take no chances this time, calling for Pulley to bunt.
After taking a questionable strike on the outside corner for strike two, the bunt was off, and Pulley was free to swing away. After working the count full, Pulley was sitting on McKenzie's next pitch. "I was just looking for a fastball, got it, and tried to put a good swing on it." Pulley ripped the pitch down the first base line, easily scoring Anderson from second.
"To strike out (Sunday) and let the team down was pretty frustrating. To be able to come back and redeem it a little bit tonight was nice."
Justin Smith pitched a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the season. The win broke a five game losing streak for Evansville.
"A lot of the guys in the clubhouse have been trying to stay as positive as possible. And with the work ethic we've been putting in, tonight's win is a big, big lift for us," commented Pulley. "I think we're going to come out and really start playing better baseball."
Otters starting pitcher Kai Tuomi allowed only two runs in seven innings of work, but did not factor into the decision. Brandon Dill (2-1) earned the win, while Riverhawks starter Brett Durand (3-1) was hung with his first loss of the year.
The three game series resumes tomorrow at 7:05 CDT.
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- Otters Break 5-Game Slide with 8th Inning Drama - Evansville Otters
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