Otters Sweep Two Games from River City with One-Hitter
September 4, 2013 - Frontier League (FL)
Evansville Otters News Release
The Evansville Otters (49-45) completed a suspended game with a 10-9, 13 inning walk-off James Mallard single and then the Otters one-hit the River City Rascals in a 6-1 victory later that night.
The game one victory guaranteed Evansville of a .500 record this season, something the Otters have not accomplished since 2005 when the team finished 52-43.
The game was originally suspended on May 30 when Evansville scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game at nine. It resumed with the Otters having the winning run on third and two outs but pinch hitter Chris Elder grounded out against former Otter Patrick Crider.
River City then left two men on base in the ninth and two runners on in the 12th.Still tied at nine, Elder reached base on an error to begin the bottom of the 13th. After a strikeout, Marino reached on a single, his third hit in the continuation of the suspended game, and Frank Martinez was intentionally walked. Mallard then worked a six-pitch at-bat before lining the next ball to right field for the game winning single.
Going for wins in both games, Evansville's Ryan Gibson began the final contest by walking the leadoff batter but striking out the next three hitters. The Otters rallied in the bottom of the inning against right-hander Tommy Mendoza, who lasted just 0.1 innings. Frank Martinez, Mallard and John Nester all had RBI hits in the inning as the Otters hopped ahead 3-0.
River City recorded their only hit in the second inning, a Steve Carillo lead-off clean single to left field. Gibson pitched 4.0 innings in the game, walking six, striking out six, and leaving the bases full in his final inning. Ahead 3-1, outfielder J.R. Higley extended the lead with a fourth inning solo home run to left field and infielder Ryan Kresky added to the advantage with a two-run single in the sixth.
Reliever Mike Hanley (4-0) threw the final 3.0 hitless, scoreless innings for the win. Evansville now improves to 14-6 in doubleheader days this season.
The Otters now host River City on Wednesday. It is Education Day at Bosse Field with first pitch set for 10:05 a.m. Evansville will have right-hander Trevor Walch (3-3, 3.47 ERA) against River City righty Casey Barnes (7-3, 3.66 ERA). The Otters pregame show starts at 9:45 am CDT on WUEV 91.5 FM.
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