Pioneers Hang On For 6-5 Triumph
Published on June 8, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Elmira came from behind for an exciting 6-5 victory over the Adirondack Lumberjacks Saturday night at Dunn Field in front of 1,162 fans.
Brian Jones hit a low line-drive frozen-rope 3-run HR to RF in the 6th inning to give the Pioneers a 6-4 lead. For Jones, it was his 4th HR of the season, all of them coming within the past week. Adirondack's attempted rally in the 9th fell just short when Lorenzo De La Cruz's bullet was turned into a line-out into a double-play by Rod Smith at second. Garrett Larkin aboard first was double-off on the play. The game-ending double-play came moments after Lorenzo De La Cruz almost drove in the tying run on a drive to left that was ruled barely foul despite the protests of Adirondack manager Kash Beauchamp. Runner Mitsuru Kobayashi had a head start on a hit and run and would have a good chance of scoring to tie the game had the ball been ruled fair.
Pedro Quero finished 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an rbi. Osmani Garcia was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an rbi.
Greg Keagle (3-1) pitched 7ip scattering 9 hits and allowing 5 earned runs. Julio Perez was credited with his 3rd save closing it out in the 9th.
The Pioneers struck first against Lumberjack RHP Mike Zipser (1-3) with Norm Hutchins singling, advancing on a passed ball and scoring on a Pedro Quero RBI hit. Adirondack tied the score in the top of the 2nd when former major leaguer rob Ducey singled and eventually scored on a Chris Finnegan hit. The Pioneers retook the lead in the bottom of the 2nd on a sac-fly by Sandy Vasquez driving in Rafael Alvarez.
Adirondack struck twice in the 3rd inning to take a 3-2 lead and added another in the 5th inning to kmake the score 4-2.
In the decisive 6th inning, the first 4 Pioneer batters reached base on Zipser. Quero blooped a double just in front of a diving Rob Ducey in right. Rafael Alvarez singled and Osmani Garcia's hit brought in Quero. LH reliever Dallas Mahan came on and promptly served up the key 3-run HR off the bat of Jones.
Kobayashi doubled and eventually scored on a Norm Hutchins throwing error in the 7th to close the gap to 6-5 but Adirondack could get no closer.
The homestand finale is Sunday afternoon at 1:05 with LH Justin Stine (0-2) going up against Lumberjack LH Chad Ward (1-1).
Canadian American League Stories from June 8, 2002
- Pioneers Hang On For 6-5 Triumph - Elmira Pioneers
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