Rockers Split DH with Gastonia, Olympian David Robertson Gets Win
July 13, 2021 - Atlantic League (AtL)
High Point Rockers News Release
HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point Rockers split a doubleheader with the Gastonia Honey Hunters in front of a crowd of 2,264 on Tuesday night at Truist Point. The Rockers, with the help of U.S. Olympian and former New York Yankee pitcher David Robertson, beat the Honey Hunters 7-2 in the nightcap after Gastonia won the opener 8-1.
Game 2
High Point took a 2-0 with a pair of runs in the first inning in support of starting pitcher Joey Hennessey. The Rockers started the inning with consecutive singles by Johnny Field, Michael Russell and Stephen Cardullo to load the bases. Stuart Levy drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to right and Jared Mitchell followed with an RBI single.
Robertson, the former American League All-Star and World Champion with the New York Yankees, came on to pitch the third inning for the Rockers. Robertson is a member of the United States Olympic baseball team and is with High Point this week while tuning up for the start of the Tokyo Olympics. Robertson pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the third and earned the win.
The Rockers scored twice in the second on RBI singles by C.J. Farias and Jerry Downs. High Point extended its lead to 6-0 in the fifth on an RBI double by Mitchell and a single from Adam Taylor.
The lead ballooned to 7-0 in the sixth when Giovanny Alfonzo led off the frame with a double and came around to score on a wild pitch.
Gastonia tallied twice in the bottom of the seventh to account for the 7-2 final.
Game 1
Gastonia scored three times in the first inning off High Point starter Craig Stem. The Honey Hunters used four singles, a walk, a balk and a hit batter to jump out to a 3-0 lead. In the second, Gastonia used three consecutive base hits by Boog Powell, Mike Papi and Jordan Rogers with Rogers collecting a pair of RBI.
High Point cut the deficit to 5-1 in the second when Levy doubled and scored on a single up the middle by Mitchell.
Emmanuel Tapia led off the third with his ninth home run, a solo shot to right field to put Gastonia up 6-1. The Honey Hunters added two more runs in the fifth as Powell and Papi each drove in a run for an 8-1 lead.
Levy and Russell each finished the first game with a pair of hits for the Rockers.
High Point and Gastonia will continue their series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Truist Point.
NOTES
Much like David Robertson's appearance, the Rockers will have former MLB pitcher Edwin Jackson on the roster for the remainder of the week. Jackson is also on the U.S. Olympic team and preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. He is expected to pitch in relief this week for High Point. Jackson has played 17 Major League seasons and won 107 games. He threw a no-hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 and was an American League All-Star with the Detroit Tigers in 2009.
Following his appearance, Robertson told the assembled media that he expects to pitch for the Rockers again on Thursday night against Gastonia.
Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2021
- Barnstormers Surrender Big Lead, Fall, 13-12 - Lancaster Stormers
- Legends Blow Past Blue Crabs in Series Opener - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Rockers Split DH with Gastonia, Olympian David Robertson Gets Win - High Point Rockers
- Harkin Pitches Ducks Past Power in Series Opener - Long Island Ducks
- High Point Rockers vs. Gastonia Honey Hunters Tonight at 5:05 p.m. - High Point Rockers
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