AtL Lancaster Stormers

Reynolds Retires after Saving Dramatic Comeback Win

August 25, 2018 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


The Lancaster Barnstormers rallied to give Matt Reynolds one last save opportunity.

Lancaster struck for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Reynolds headed into retirement and the completion of his college education, by nailing down a 6-4 victory over the Somerset Patriots Saturday evening at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

The win rebuilt a 6 1/2 game lead for the Barnstormers over the New Britain Bees in the wild card chase. York is 7 1/2 back.

Logan Kensing (3-4) walked Trayvon Robinson to open the home eighth. Robinson stole second and took third on a wild pitch during a walk to K.C. Hobson. A second wild pitch allowed Robinson to race home, cutting the Patriots lead to 4-2. Kensing hit Vladimir Frias putting the tying run on base. Tyler Bortnick struck out on a full count pitch before Rico Noel rolled a grounder into the shortstop hole to load the bases with one out.

Lefty ace Mike Antonini took over for the Patriots, and Darian Sandford rode his first pitch into left center for an RBI single to cut the lead to 4-3. Josh Bell stepped in and rode a long double over the head of left fielder Justin Trapp to clear the bases for the 6-4 lead.

Reynolds walked Jayce Boyd to start the ninth but retired the side in order afterward to pick up his 25, and final, save for the Barnstormers this season, the fifth highest single season toll in club history.

Somerset had built a 4-0 lead in the top of the second. Nate Coronado and Ramon Flores opened the inning with singles. Justin Trapp laid a bunt down toward the mound. The throw from Joe Gardner (5-9) bounced in late, filling the bags. Mike Fransoso drilled a double into right center, scoring all three runners. One out later, Alfredo Rodriguez singled up the middle. Darian Sandford threw home, but Fransoso made a stop around third. Rodriguez headed to second on the play. Ryan Casteel fired back down to second a hair late to get Rodriguez. The throw was returned home, and the Barnstormers were able to tag out Fransoso in a rundown. Rodriguez galloped to third and scored on a wild pitch by Gardner.

The Lancaster right-hander was superb following the second inning. He yielded one walk and one single over the next six innings, erasing both with double play grounders before giving the baseball over to Reynolds.

Somerset and Lancaster conclude the three-game series on Sunday afternoon. Nate Reed (10-3) will make the start for the Barnstormers against right-hander Vince Molesky (4-2). Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, starting at 12:45.

NOTES: Gardner is 5-2 against Somerset in his career...Lancaster ended a six-game losing streak against the Patriots...The season series is even at 7-7...The Barnstormers drew a season-high nine walks...Lancaster stole three bases in the first two innings to reach 201 as a team for the season...Robinson walked twice but had his hitting streak snapped at 10 games...Noel extended his streak to nine with his single in the eighth inning...Gardner recorded 18 outs on 16 ground balls.

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Atlantic League Stories from August 25, 2018


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