Randall's 2-Out Hit Wins It, 6-5, for Miners
Published on August 31, 2010 under Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
MARION, Ill. - The Miners squeaked by the Otters, 6-5, Wednesday night at Rent One Park. With two outs in the eighth inning, Justin Randall trickled his third hit of the game up the middle and into the outfield, breaking a 5-5 tie and giving the Miners the win. Jake McMurran worked an inning and a third for the win, as he moved to 5-1 on the season. Patrick Crider took the loss, allowing just one and one hit over his two innings of work, but that would be all the Miners needed. With the win, Southern Illinois improved their season record to 62-30 on the season.
For the fifth straight game of the Miners six-game homestand, a Southern Illinois starter allowed a first inning run to cross the plate. The newest Miner to the fray, Andrew Paulauskas, allowed three first-inning hits and a walk. But he struck out three hitters to leave the bases loaded in the inning with just one run of damage. Paulauskas was solid for five innings, but ran into trouble in the sixth. He allowed the first four batters to reach and left with the bases loaded. Shawn Joy entered and allowed all three inherited runners to score, tying the game at 5-5. Paulauskas' final line was five runs off four hits in five innings. He struck out eight and yielded three walks.
Joy stayed in for two and two-thirds of an inning and kept the game tied before departing with one on and two outs in the eighth.
The Miners offense collected six runs off 12 hits. Justin Randall and Will Block both led the way with three hits. Block kept ablaze, with his fifth double in his last three games and added an RBI. Two of the hottest hitters on the club, Tyler Bullock and Brendan Akashian each added two hits apiece. Bullock blasted two more RBIs, giving him 23 on the season.
Jake McMurran worked one and one-third innings of scoreless ball after relieving Shawn Joy in the eighth inning with two outs. McMurran struck out two in the ninth to pick up his fifth victory of the season.
Evansville's Kyle Barry was not as impressive as his first start against the Miners when he struck out eight en route to the victory. The six-foot, six-inch righty allowed five runs off 10 hits and struck out eight Southern Illinois batters. Barry worked five and two-third innings and took the no decision after the Otters offense got him off the hook in their four-run sixth inning.
With the win, the Miners became just the fifth team in Frontier League history to reach 62 wins in a single season. Only two teams have reached 63 wins in the regular season.
Prior to the game, the Miners placed outfielder Lenell McGee on the retired list. He will head home on Wednesday to be with a family member who is battling a health issue. This ends McGee's season, and since it occurs after the transaction deadline, the Miners are not allowed to replace him on the roster and will be short-handed with a 23-man roster for the remainder of the regular season and the postseason.
Wednesday the Miners will look for the sweep with Brett Scarpetta (7-5, 3.68) on the mound against Evansville righty Kent Worthington (1-1, 3.45) at 7:05 p.m. It is the final home game of the regular season for the Miners before they head to Gateway for a three-game series starting on Friday to finish the 96-game schedule.
Frontier League Stories from August 31, 2010
- Normal Slams River City - Normal CornBelters
- Southern Illinois Scores Late Run for 6-5 win - Evansville Otters
- Randall's 2-Out Hit Wins It, 6-5, for Miners - Southern Illinois Miners
- Grizzlies Take Down Freedom in Series Opener - Gateway Grizzlies
- Beach Bums Retain Playoff Lead Despite Setback - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Despite Strong Pitching, Wild Things Fall to Crushers - Washington Wild Things
- Crushers Walk Past Wild Things - Lake Erie Crushers
- Miners to Visit Liberty Village for Wii Baseball Challenge - Southern Illinois Miners
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