Pioneers Sweep and End Sunday Losing Skid 6-2
Published on August 25, 2002 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Elmira Pioneers News Release
Sunday August 25, 2002 - Dunn Field, Elmira, NY
The Elmira Pioneers completed a 4-game series sweep fo the topteam in the league with a 6-2 victory over the New Jersey jackals Sunday afternoon at dunn Field in front of 1118 fans. The win ends Elmira's 10-game losing streak on Sundays and extends their overall win streak to 5 games, equaling their longest of the year. It was the first time this season the defneding league champions have been swept. Both managers were ejected in a bizarre incident in the 7th.
The Pioneers blasted out 4 HR's in the game and have hit 10 HR's in their last 3 games including 4 from Pedro Quero. Brian Jones hit a solo hot in the 2nd inning (his 10th). Mike Terhune hit his 1st HR of the year in the 4th inning to give Elmira a 3-1 lead. Pedro Quero's 14th of the season came in the 6th inning to put Elmira up 4-2. Quero has 9 RBI's in his last 3 gams. Brandon Pernell hit a solo HR in the 7th (his 8th with Elmira, his 10th overall) as the Pioneers CF extended his hitting streak to 22 gams, 1 shy of New Jersey's Billy Rich who had a 23-gamer, the longest in the circuit this year.
Elmira stays ahead of Adirondack in the wild-card race with 7 gams remaining and pulls to within 4.5 games of the New Jersey Jackals in the divisional race in the 2nd half. If Elmira qualifies for the post-season they will face NJ in the first round in a best of 5 series. The season series between the two clubs finished even at 7 games apiece.
Shigeki Sano (2-3) fired 6ip allowing 8 hits and 2 earned runs in the win. It was Sano's first game since 8/4. Keith Forbes, Chris Brown and donnie Thomas each spun 1 inning of shutout relief to close it out.
The game was stalled at the 7th inning stretch in a strange incident primarily revolving around the hat and shoe of NJ manager George Tsamis. The Jackals skipper came out onto the field to argue a call. He thought Elmira pitcher Keith Forbes had pulled his foot off the bag when covering at 1st on the back end of a double-play. After a heated exchange with 1B umpire Carmen Perotti, Tsamis stopped at the first-base bag on his way off the field and removed his hat and left shoe. He left both on the 1B bag in a gesture symbolic of what he thought of the call. As Tsamis left he motioned several times to the Dunn Field who booed him off the field in a somewhat strange demonstration.
Meanwhile the hat and shoe were still on first base and HP umpire Brad Hungerford instructd the Pioneers bat-boy to remove them from the field. The Pioneers refused for a time but then relented and allowed the bat-boy to retrieve them. After Elmira put the hat and shoe in the trash-can the Jackals decided they did want their manager's equipment afterall. After all the NJ players converged on the Pioneers dug-out Elmira relented within a few moments and let them have the hat and shoe. But the Pioneers players were upset that they had to remove the equipment in the first place and DH Michael Coleman was ejected for saying something to the umpiring crew from the dug-out. Manager Mitch Lyden was eventually ejected by Hungerford after requesting an explanation for the ejection.
Matters finally settled down and play resumed with the Pioneers completing the win. Elmira heads to Allentown Monday through Thursday for a 4-game road trip. Sean Brummett (7-5, 3.00) starts for the Pioneers to begin the series. Elmira will finish the season at home next Friday through Sunday with 3 potentially pivotal games vs. the North Division leading Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs.
Over Fan Appreciation weekend the Pioneers will give away several great prizes including bonus lucky-signature prizes, a Toro leaf-blower and edge-trimmer from the Lawnmower Center and a Suzuki 250 Quad-runner ATV from Larry's Sportscenter, the fun Dealership. Must e present to win. Call the Pioneers for more info at (607) 734-BALL.
Canadian American League Stories from August 25, 2002
- Pioneers Sweep and End Sunday Losing Skid 6-2 - Elmira Pioneers
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