Pioneers Drop Opener at Quebec 5-4
Published on June 28, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Friday, June 27, 2002 - Le Stade Municipal, Quebec City, Quebec
The Pioneers fell just short in their comeback efforts as they fell to the North Division leading Quebec Capitakes 5-4 in front of 3,569 fans at Le Stade Municipal Friday night.
Justin Stine (1-4) spun 7.2 strong innings allowing just 6 hits in the losing cause. Keith Dunn (6-0) probably did not pitch quite as well as Stine but he stayed unbeated winning his 2nd straight decision against the Pioneers after having won at Dunn Field last Sunday afternoon. The Pioneers got all their offense from some unlikely sources as they were playing without some of their biggest boppers with Alvarez, Garcia and Quero all missing from the lineup. Bobby Hill and newcomer Rolando Bello both hit their 1st HR's of the season to provide the bulk of the offense.
The Pioneers have now lost 4 of their last 5 games and could trail 1st place New Jersey by 5 games with only 11 remaining in the half if the Jackals sweep their DH tonight vs. Allentown.
Quebec jumped on top in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a 3-run rally on Stine. Eddie Lantigua doubled over the head of CF Norm Hutchins who misjudged the ball at first and couldn't get back in time to make the play. Rafael Pujold reached on a hot-shot mishandled at 3B by newcomer Rolando Bello and BJ Garrison walked to load the bases shortly after 1B Luke Syfert just missed coming up with an over the shoulder catch on a foul pop-up. Rudy Gomez blasted a double in the left-center gap to bring in 2 runners and Robbie Kison followed with a Sac-fly giving the Capitales a 3-0 lead.
The Pioneers quickly got the runs back in the top of the 3rd. Bobby Hill led off with a solo HR to right-center, his first as a Pioneer. Luke Syfert followed with his professional base-hit, a single to center. Rolando Bello made his first professional hit even more exciting as he teed-off for a 2-run HR to right to tie the score at 3-3.
Quebec scored 2 more in the top of the 4th. Patrick Scalabirni walked and stole 2nd to lead off the inning. He scored on a Brian Cornelius double to right-center. Eddie Lantigua doubled down the RF line a couple batters later bringing home Cornelius for a 5-3 advantage.
The Pioneers had their chances in the latter innings. Ron Bush doubled leading off the 6th. He advanced on a Brian Jones ground-out that was almost an rbi hit if not for a terrific diving play at 2b by Patrick Scalabrini. Bush was left stranded at 3rd when Sandy Vasquez struck-out.
In the 7th against reliever Reggie Laplante, Brian Baker and Bobby Hill led off with consecutive walks. Luke Syfert popped-out trying to bunt them over. Bello hit a grounder to short that could have been a double-play but Bobby Hill broke it up with a hard slide forcing an errant throw from Scalabrini allowing Baker to score closing the gap to 5-4.
In the 8th Elmira had them loaded but couldn't plate the tying run. Norm Hutchins singled with 1 out against Andre Tremblay. Brian Jones walked after Hutchins advanced on a wild pitch. Sandy Vasquez flied out to deep center allowing Hutchins to tag-up and advance to 3rd. Brian Baker Baker walked to load the bases but Quebec ace closer mark Cisar got a weak fly-out to left off the bat of Hill to end the 8th inning threat.
Rod Smith reached on a 2-out error by 1B John Cotton but was left stranded as Ron Bush bounced out to end the game.
Eric Estes starts the Saturday night game for the Pioneers while Jeff Andra will take the hill Sunday afternoon at 1:05 in the road-trip finale.
Canadian American League Stories from June 28, 2002
- Bears Pound Bluefish, 12-3 - Newark Bears
- Bears Dominate Doubleheader - Newark Bears
- Pioneers Drop Opener at Quebec 5-4 - Elmira Pioneers
- Bears Dominate Double Header - Newark Bears
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