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ApL Burlington Sock Puppets

Royals Can't Complete Comeback, Fall to First Place Royals

August 23, 2011 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Burlington Sock Puppets News Release


Burlington, NC- The Burlington Royals got an exceptional start from Eric Cantrell, but reliever David Middendorf struggled, taking the loss, his first decision, against the West Division Leading Johnson City Cardinals. Michael Santana earns his first win, after coming on in relief of starter Ben Freeman.

The Royals recorded the first hit for either side in the third inning. Cam Conner reached on an infield single, before stealing both second and third. Two batters later, Lane Adams launched a fly ball into left field that was caught, but deep enough to score Connor from third, giving the home team a 1-0 lead.

On the mound, Cantrell retired the first nine batters he faced, and 17 of the first 18 he faced. The Chicago native gave up his only run in the sixth. With two outs, Matt Williams singled, and then stole second base. He scored when the next batter, Neil Pritchard, singled to left, tying the game at one.

In the sixth inning, a game that had been relatively quiet, the Johnson City bats came alive. The visitors had just one three hits entering the inning, but recorded eight hits off of Middendorf, including a three run home run from Roberto De La Cruz. The first three Cardinals to the plate in the inning hit safely, and six of the first seven. The inning ended when Pritchard flied out to right field, and Kolby Byrd tried to tag from third, but was thrown out at the plate by Jorge Bonifacio, his eighth outfield assist of the season.

In the home half of the inning, the Royals would have a chance to tie the game. Jose Rodriguez and Adams, the first two batters of the plate would both be walked. After Justin Trapp struck out trying to move the runners up, both runner would move up on a double steal, and Michael Antonio would be put on intentionally. Santana would get the call from the bullpen and strikeout Murray Watts and Bonifacio to end the threat and keep Johnson City up by three. The Cardinals added a run in the top of the eighth and was leading 5-1 when Burlington stepped to the plate in the bottom of the inning.

Trapp led off the Royals' at bat with a single. After he moved up on a passed ball on a pitchout attempt, he scored on a single by Bonifacio with two outs. Andy Ferguson held the visitors at bay in the ninth, and Burlington stepped to the plate down by three in the bottom of the ninth.

With one out, Conner doubled to left, and Rodriguez singled to put runners on the corners with one out. As the tying run, Adams singled to score Conner, and when Rodriguez and Adams both tried to steal with Trapp at the plate, Rodriguez was caught at third for the second out. The Royals' second baseman went down swinging to end the ballgame, with Burlington falling 5-3.

Ben Freeman threw five and a third innings, allowing one run on one hit, while walking four, and striking out a career-high nine. Earning the win, Santana went an inning and two thirds, allowing just one hit. Logan Billbrough was tagged for two runs on four hits in his inning and a third, while Heath Wyatt takes home the save going the final two thirds of an inning.

Cantrell went six innings for Burlington, striking out seven, tying a season high, while surrendering a run on three hits. In relief, Middendorf gave up four runs on eight hits, while Ferguson pitched a scoreless ninth.

At the plate, Williams had a game-high four hits, and scored a run, batting in the lead-off spot. Apelian went 2-for-4 and was the only other Cardinal with a multi-hit game. With his only hit of the night being his home run, De La Cruz was 1-for-4, bringing in three runs.

The Royals were led by Connor, who was 2-for-4 and crossed home plate twice. Burlington centerfielder Adams brought in two runs, as part of a 1-for-3 effort, along with Bonifacio who had an RBI.

Tuesday night is Kraft Singles Tuesday at Burlington Athletic Stadium, where you can buy one ticket and get one free with a Kraft Singles wrapper. First pitch is set for 7:00, and tickets are available by calling (336) 222-0223.

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