Robinson Single Delivers Win
Published on June 23, 2018 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
For nearly eight innings on Saturday night, both the Lancaster Barnstormers and Long Island Ducks faltered in producing runs.
Finally, Trayvon Robinson and his penchant for late inning heroics came through.
Robinson singled home Blake Gailen with two outs in the bottom of the eighth then scored on a Nate Coronado triple as the Barnstormers pulled out a 3-1 win over the Ducks in the third game of a four-game series.
The win kept Lancaster 1 1/2 games ahead of Sugar Land in the Freedom Division race with a seven-game, head-to-head series looming starting on Monday.
Gailen led off the eighth with a single to left off tough lefty Jake Fisher (3-2). Ryan Casteel's deep fly to center got Gailen to second. With K.C. Hobson at the plate, Gailen took off early for third. Fisher threw behind him, then Dan Lyons' return throw to third skipped away as Gailen arrived safely. Fisher got Hobson to pop out, but Robinson rode the first pitch of his at bat into center for the tiebreaking run.
Long Island went to the bullpen for the first time all night, bringing on right-hander Dennis O'Grady. Coronado greeted him with a drive to the gap in right center that hopped crazily off the fence and away from center fielder Emilio Bonifacio.
In the ninth, Jordany Valdespin and Bonifacio greeted closer Matt Reynolds with consecutive singles. However, as was typical of the Ducks on the night, they failed to score as Reynolds struck out Taylor Ard and David Washington around a deep fly out by Lew Ford.
Bonifacio gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead in the top of the second with a single to left center that plated Dan Lyons. It would be Long Island's only safety of the night in 15 chances with a runner in scoring position as the Ducks failed on two bases loaded chances, grounded into three double plays and left 13 runners on base.
In the bottom of the inning, Hobson and Robinson ripped singles. After Coronado lined to second, Vladimir Frias skipped a double over the glove of third baseman Cody Puckett.
Lancaster then failed to produce on its next eight RISP chances until Robinson's key hit.
Scott Shuman (2-0) struck out the side in the top of the eighth to notch the win. Reynolds recorded his 13th save in 14 tries.
The two clubs conclude the series Sunday afternoon. Nate Reed (6-1), the league's leading winner will square off against Jair Jurrjens (3-3). Fans may tune into BRC 11 or the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 1:00.
NOTES: Gailen was 2-for-4, stretching his hitting streak to 13 games...By scoring in the eighth, he also extended his streak of crossing the plate to 10 games and producing a run to 18...His two steals give him 83 as a Barnstormer...Darian Sandford stole his 35th base of the season as well...Shuman has fanned 22 batters in his last 11 2/3 innings...The nine games against the Ducks this year have been decided by a total of 14 runs...The crowd of 6,748 was the second largest of the season at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
Atlantic League Stories from June 23, 2018
- Skeeters Draw Even in Weekend Series with 7-3 Win - York Revolution
- Missed Opportunities Haunt Ducks in Loss - Long Island Ducks
- Robinson Single Delivers Win - Lancaster Stormers
- Blue Crabs Battle for Back-And-Forth Win - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Blue Crabs Win Back-And-Forth Game 7-4 - Somerset Patriots
- Bees Win Second Straight One-Run Game Over Road Warriors - New Britain Bees
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
