AtL High Point Rockers

Rockers Win 9-8 Thriller from York

Published on July 1, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
High Point Rockers News Release


HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point Rockers ended their three-game homestand at Truist Point with a thrilling 9-8 win over York in front of 2,150 fans on Thursday night.

High Point's seemingly insurmountable 9-0 lead after seven innings was nearly erased by the York Revolution. In a tale of two games, the Rockers won the first seven innings by a 9-0 count. York won the eighth and ninth, scoring four times in each frame before falling 9-8.

The game wasn't decided until High Point centerfielder Johnny Field made a diving grab of a sinking line drive by York's Walner Espinal with two outs in the ninth to preserve the Rockers' win.

High Point was cruising along with lefty Bryce Hensley making his best start of the season, allowing just three hits through six shutout innings while his offensive teammates hit a pair of home runs and took advantage of 12 walks issued by the York pitching staff. Jerry Downs hit a two-run homer in the first to give High Point its first lead and James McOwen slammed a homer in the fifth to give the Rockers a 7-0 advantage.

That lead grew to 9-0 after the Rockers added a solo run in the sixth. That's when the fun started.

Joe Johnson pitched a scoreless seventh for the Rockers before manager Jamie Keefe turned to Nefi Ogando in the eighth. Just activated from the injured list on Thursday, Ogando allowed a walk, two singles and a double before Ryan Chaffee came in and struck out the last two hitters of the inning. High Point went to the top of the ninth with a comfortable 9-4 lead.

Chaffee opened the frame by walking the first two batters he faced before yielding a two-run triple to Darian Sandford that closed the margin to 9-6. Yan Sanchez immediately followed with a two-run homer to left to make it a one-run game as the rain and high winds hit Truist Point.

With nobody on and nobody out, Keefe turned to Preston Gainey to close it out. Gainey quickly induced a pair of outs before issuing a full count walk to pinch hitter Tyler Hill. Espinal hit a line drive to center that Field came on and dove head first to make the grab and preserve the Rockers' win.

"The wind held the ball up allowing me to make the play," said Field. "If it wasn't for the wind, that ball probably gets down for a base hit."

High Point opened the scoring when Stephen Cardullo drew a two-out walk in the first and Downs followed with his third homer of the year as the Rockers took a 2-0 lead.

The Rockers added a solo run in the second when James McOwen walked to lead off the frame, moved to second on a walk to catcher Michael Gulino and to third on an infield out by J.R. DiSarcina. Field then hit a sacrifice fly to plate McOwen for a 3-0 High Point advantage.

The Rockers scored a single run in the fourth when York starter Austin Steinfort walked a pair of runners and gave up a single to DiSarcina before Michael Russell plated Gulino with an infield out.

In the fifth, the Rockers blew up for four runs with Stuart Levy hitting a triple and James McOwen a solo homer. Jared Mitchell and Michael Russell also drove in runs in the frame.

The Rockers now hit the road for 10 straight games starting with a three-game series at Gastonia. Friday's first game begins at 6:550 p.m. from Gastonia. The Rockers return home on July 13 for a doubleheader with Gastonia at Truist Point.

NOTE:

The Rockers signed former Wesleyan Christian star Nate Blakeney as an infielder.

Stephen Cardullo's single in the seventh inning extended his hitting streak to 14 straight games, one off the club record of 15 set by Dante Bichette, Jr. in 2019.

York starter Austin Steinfort set the Revolution team record for most walks issued in a game with 9. High Point set a season-high by being on the receiving end of 12 walks.

Check out the High Point Rockers Statistics

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