September 6 Florence Freedom Game Notes
September 6, 2015 - Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE FREEDOM (49-46) @ SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MINERS (62-33)
Sunday, September 6, 2015 - 6:05 p.m. ET
Rent One Park - Marion, IL
Game #96 - Road Game #45 (49-46), (24-20)
RHP #37 Cody Gray (4-2, 3.60 ERA) vs. LHP #17 Tim Flight (0-0, 5.11 ERA)
Last time out...
The Freedom won 5-2 Saturday night as they rallied by scoring three runs in the seventh inning to take the lead for good. Down 2-0, Florence finally got to Rick Teasley in the seventh. Austin Newell got things started in the seventh with a single. One out later Andrew Godbold singled as well. That's when Wenrich tripled down the right field line to score both runners and tie the game at two. That was it for Teasley. With two away, new pitcher Shane Street uncorked a wild pitch, scoring Wenrich and putting Florence up 3-2. Florence added another run in the eighth against Ryan Brockett. Daniel Fraga and Zac Mitchell hit back-to-back singles to start the frame. Sam Eberle came up huge with a single to left to score Fraga and extend the lead to 4-2. Florence would pad the lead again in the ninth as Josh Henderson doubled with one out. With two away Daniel Fraga doubled him home to make the score 5-2. Florence's bullpen took care of the rest.
For Starters...
Cody Gray makes his 12th start of the year tonight for the Freedom. He is coming off six shutout innings against Windy City on September 1. He allowed only two hits in the 8-1 win. Gray's professional debut came against Southern Illinois on June 20 as he went four innings, giving up three runs on four hits in a no-decision as the Freedom won 6-4. The Freedom have won 9 of Gray's 11 starts so far this year. A product of NAIA school Northwood University, Gray went 8-3 in 12 starts in 2015, finishing with an ERA of 1.69. Impressively, Gray struck out 101 batters in 85 innings. In 2014 Gray appeared in seven games, picking up five wins. Also struck out 37 batters in 42.2 innings as a starter. Named a Pre-season All-American pitcher.
The playoff chase...
The Freedom's magic number for the playoffs is 1 with tonight being the regular season finale. If the Freedom win tonight they will qualify for the playoffs. The Freedom can also quality for the playoffs if Rockford or Evansville loses tonight. It would be the third time in the last four seasons the Freedom have qualified for the playoffs.
Rubber match...
Tonight is the rubber match of the three-game series between the Freedom and the Miners. Florence has won five consecutive rubber matches and their overall record in rubber matches this year is 11-7. A win tonight would also mark a season-high seventh consecutive series win.
Comeback kids...
Last night's rally in the seventh inning to put Florence ahead for good was only the fourth time this year the Freedom have won when trailing after six innings. Florence is now 4-33 when trailing after six.
One-run woes...
Florence has struggled in close contests this year, going 7-16 in one-run games, the worst mark in the Frontier League.
Over the last 10...
The Freedom's hottest hitter average-wise over the past 10 games has been veteran Steve Carrillo. Carrillo is hitting .344 (11-32) with 3 RBI over the past 10 contests despite only hitting .223 on the season.
Run and run some more...
The Freedom's 144 stolen bases are second to the River City Rascals (146) in the Frontier League.
Get that lead...
When the Freedom lead after seven innings they have a record of 40-2. However they are only 2-37 when trailing after seven innings.
Five or more...
Florence is 36-4 when scoring five or more runs in a game this season.
Offensive revival...
After only hitting .223 as a team in the month of July, the Freedom hit .268 as a team in August. Sam Eberle led the way as usual last month with a .361 average, 3 HR and 17 RBI.
Frontier League Stories from September 6, 2015
- Grizzlies score eight times in first two innings, beat Crushers 10-0 - Lake Erie Crushers
- Slammers Walk off in Season Finale - Joliet Slammers
- Aviators Qualify for 2015 Frontier League Postseason - Rockford Aviators
- Miners Take Series from Freedom - Southern Illinois Miners
- Grizzlies Complete Strong Second Half with Sweep of Crushers - Gateway Grizzlies
- CornBelters End Regular Season Behind Complete Game from Johnson - Normal CornBelters
- 2015 Season Ends in Loss at Normal - Schaumburg Boomers
- September 6 Florence Freedom Game Notes - Florence Y'alls
- Normal CornBelters Game Tonight - Normal CornBelters
- The Grizzlies come back on the Crushers and win, 7-5 - Lake Erie Crushers
- Freedom Rally to Beat Miners - Florence Y'alls
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