RiverHawks Win in Extras
Published on July 5, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - All-Star closer Brett Durand rebounded from back-to-back blown saves with three scoreless innings on Tuesday as the Rockford RiverHawks beat the Florence Freedom, 6-5, in 11 innings.
Durand earned the victory and moved into sole possession of third place on the team's all-time win list. Durand (3-2) struck out three and moved into sole possession of second place on the RiverHawks' all-time strikeout list.
Rockford rallied from a pair of deficits and won when Jeremy Hamilton scored on a walkoff error by Florence third baseman Chris Curley with two outs in the bottom of the 11th.
Florence committed three errors and gave up three unearned runs. Rockford rallied from 1-0 and 5-2 deficits, in front of a season-high, standing-room-only crowd of 4,112 at Road Ranger Stadium.
The RiverHawks opened the eighth inning with four straight singles and scored three times to tie the game. Freddy Parejo led off with a flare to center field, stole second base and went to third on Dave Cooper's hit. Jake Eigsti singled in Parejo and knocked out reliever Chad Robinson in favor of right-hander Alec Lewis. Eigsti stole second, Matt Greener singled in Cooper and Eigsti scored the tying run on Luis Parache's sacrifice fly.
In the bottom of the 11th, Lewis walked Hamilton, the leadoff hitter, and Carlos Dominguez advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Parejo hit a bouncer underneath Curley's glove to bring in the winning run.
Lewis (1-1) struck out six in 3 2/3 innings.
Durand allowed only a bloop single and faced the minimum of nine hitters. He struck out three of the last four he faced. Durand, with 245 strikeouts in three years with Rockford, moved past Tanner Watson on the team's all-time list.
Durand has been involved in the decision in three straight appearances. He blew save chances against Evansville on Saturday - a win - and Monday - a loss. Tuesday's win gives him 21 in his Rockford career. He passed former teammate Kyle Wright on the all-time list. Durand was named to the Frontier League All-Star Game, scheduled for next Wednesday at Lake Erie, on Monday.
The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday. Rock Valley Federal Credit Union sponsors Breast Cancer Awareness Night. Early arrivals receive a pink RiverHawks T-shirt to support breast cancer research.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
Frontier League Stories from July 5, 2011
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