Otters rally for 10-9 win
Published on July 4, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - Having the lead has become a game of hot potato.
The Evansville Otters blew two leads, rallied from two deficits and nearly squandered a third lead before it escaped Road Ranger Stadium with a 10-9 win over the Rockford RiverHawks on Monday.
Evansville rallied for five runs in the eighth inning, but the RiverHawks scored two unearned, two-out runs in the bottom of the ninth and ended the game with the bases loaded.
The Otters salvaged the finale of a three-game series. The RiverHawks lost three leads in Saturday's opener, but won, 9-8. Evansville blew an early 5-0 lead on Sunday and lost, 13-7. On Monday, the Otters lost leads of 2-0 and 3-2 and the RiverHawks failed to hold onto leads of 5-3 and 7-5.
The top of the eighth started with 13 straight balls. Brandon Garner walked two and closer Brett Durand walked the first man he faced. Joe Spiers singled in a one-out run to cut Rockford's lead to a run. With two outs, Greg Alexander doubled home three and scored on Mike Durant's single to give the Otters a 10-7 lead.
Evansville closer Erik Massingham got the last six outs for his sixth save, but ran into trouble after he retired the first two in the ninth inning. Carlos Dominguez singled and Greg Van Horn reached on an error. Freddy Parejo doubled home Dominguez and Dave Cooper reached on an error that brought Van Horn in to score. Jake Eigsti was intentionally walked to load the bases. Cam Satterwhite worked the count full, but grounded to shortstop to end the game.
Durand (2-2) took the loss, his 16th in three seasons with Rockford. He tied Dave Dowling and Garrett Bauer for most in team history. Durand struck out two and tied Tanner Watson for second on the RiverHawks' career strikeout list. Durand, with 242 strikeouts, trails only Bauer, who struck out 317 in 2006-08.
J.T. Odom (1-1) pitched a perfect seventh inning and won in relief.
Rockford matched a season worst with five errors. Durant hit a two-run homer in the fifth, a batter after Parejo dropped a fly to center.
The RiverHawks welcome the Florence Freedom for three games, beginning at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. WIFR-Channel 23 has bought out the stadium and is offering tickets to the Stateline. Only standing-room tickets remain. It is also Petco Dog Days of Summer, when fans can bring their canine companions to the stadium. Lou Bachrodt Chevrolet also sponsors a pregame youth clinic at 5 p.m.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
Frontier League Stories from July 4, 2011
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- Rascals Take Series Behind Lowey, Bullpen - River City Rascals
- Crushers Shutout In Series Finale - Lake Erie Crushers
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- Evansville Prevails In Marathon 10-9 Win - Evansville Otters
- RiverHawks' host Florence this week - Rockford RiverHawks
- CornBelters Place Five on All-Star Squad - Normal CornBelters
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- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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