NA Lake Erie Crushers

Shaffer tames Wild Things

Published on July 15, 2011 under National Association (NA)
Lake Erie Crushers News Release


WASHINGTON, Pa. - Lake Erie Crushers' catcher Kyle Shaffer went 4-for-4 on Friday night at Consol Energy Park, and delivered a pair of clutch RBI singles as the Crushers came from behind to beat the Washington Wild Things, 5-3.

The victory for the Crushers, (22-26) marked the fifth series in a row in which they've taken the opening game. For the Wild Things, (19-28) the loss marks their third in a row.

Lake Erie fell behind early, as the Wild Things scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the first inning. Doug Thennis belted a one out single and Chris Sidick followed with a walk. With two on and two out, Estee Harris belted a three-run homer over the wall in right field to snap a scoreless tie.

After allowing the three run shot to Harris, Josh Roberts (5-3) retired the next seven batters, and 13 out of the next 15, while his offense rallied. In the third, the Crushers sent eight batters to the plate, and scored three runs on three hits to tie the game. Jason Taylor's walk started the inning, and was followed by Shaffer's first base hit. Taylor scored later in the inning on Patrick Norris's single, and Shaffer came home on a base hit from Andrew Davis. Kellen Kulbacki reached on shortstop Kevyn Feiner's fielding errors, which allowed Norris to score the tying run.

Nick Mahin began the fourth inning with a single to right field. Washington right fielder Tim Battle had a tough time grabbing the ball off the turf, which allowed Mahin to advance to second. Two batters later, Shaffer smashed a single to right field, allowing Mahin to score the go-ahead run.

Shaffer delivered another key hit for the Crushers in the top of the eighth inning. Newly acquired Jereme Milons began the eighth with a single, and stole second base before advancing to third on Mahin's fly out to right field. Shaffer stepped in with Milons on third and two out, when he stroked an 0-2 pitch to right field, scoring Milons to give the Crushers a little breathing room.

Roberts scored the victory after allowing just the three runs on four hits with three strikeouts over seven strong innings of work. He allowed just two hits after surrendering the three run shot in the first inning. Travis Risser tossed a scoreless eighth inning to hold the lead and Ruben Flores (9) pitched a perfect ninth inning to snag the save. Gary Lee (1-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs on nine hits over six and a third.

Eight out of the starting nine hit safely at least once. All 12 of Lake Erie's hits were singles. The only player not to hit safely was Kulbacki, who went 0-for-5, and saw his 14 game hitting streak come to an end. Jodam Rivera singled in his final at bat and has now reached in 15 consecutive games while Davis's RBI single in the third extended his on base streak to 19 games.

The Crushers will continue their three game series against the Washington Wild Things at Consol Energy Park on Saturday night. Left hander Paul Fagan (3-6, 4.31) will start for the Crushers and the Wild Things will counter with right hander Casey Barnes (3-3, 1.58). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM.

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National Association Stories from July 15, 2011


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