FL Florence Y'alls

Rascals Hand Freedom Eighth Straight Loss

June 2, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release


FLORENCE, Ky - For the second time in as many nights, the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, let a three-run lead slip away as the River City Rascals scored four unanswered runs to win in extra-innings, 6-5, as the Freedom losing streak reached eight games on Saturday at UC Health Stadium.

With Freedom (8-11) relief pitcher Zach Kirby (0-1) on the bump in the top of the tenth and the score tied at five, Braxton Martinez reached on a Mike Morris error at third base to start the frame. River City (13-6) would pinch run Kevin Suarez for Martinez before Paul Kronenfeld delivered what proved to be the game-winning RBI-double, as the Rascals moved in front, 6-5. Cody Mincey slammed the door in the home half of the tenth, picking up his second save of the series and seventh on the season as River City took the series.

The Rascals scored one run in their first two frames off Freedom starter Jordan Kraus. In the first, a walk and a Mike Jurgella double put two in scoring position before Martinez grounded out to short to drive in the game's first run. Then, with two outs in the top of the second, Dylan Woods doubled to deep right ahead of a Connor Oliver RBI-single as the Rascals held an early, 2-0, advantage.

The Freedom answered in the bottom of the third, striking for five runs with two outs. Jose Brizuela started the rally with a soft-liner that fell into left field for a single before Andre Mercurio made it a second and third situation with a double. With Keivan Berges at the plate, a wild pitch brought Brizuela in to score as the Freedom cut the deficit in half, 2-1. Berges followed with a frozen rope to center to score Mercurio and tie the game at two. The offensive outburst continued as Nick Crouse worked a walk before Jacob Wark launched a towering home run to right in his Freedom debut, giving Florence their first lead of the night at, 5-2.

Kraus finished the night with five strikeouts over six innings of work while allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks.

River City chipped away against the Freedom bullpen, scoring a pair of runs in the seventh courtesy a Clint Freeman two-run double off Tyler Gibson that brought River City within one. Both runs were charged to Kraus, ending his quality start streak at four. The Rascals would go on to tie it in the eighth, as Gerrion Grim doubled, and after advancing to third, came in to score on a Woods sacrifice fly to center.

Florence failed to score in the bottom of the ninth against River City reliever Joe Iorio (2-0). This was the eighth straight loss for the Freedom, and fifth of which came by one run.

The Freedom will look to avoid a series sweep in the finale with the Rascals on Sunday afternoon. RIght-hander Chuck Weaver will make his 2018 Freedom debut on the bump opposite southpaw Hector Hernandez of River City. First pitch is scheduled for 2:35 at UC Health Stadium.

The Florence Freedom are members of the Independent Frontier League and play all home games at UC Health Stadium located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence, KY. The Freedom can be found online at florencefreedom.com, or by phone at (859) 594-4487.

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