So Far, So Good
Published on June 21, 2017 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Hudson Valley Renegades News Release
*ABERDEEN, MD**- *Despite playing through raindrops and against two major leaguers, the Hudson Valley Renegades pounded out 11 runs on 14 hits and its pitchers struck out 14 batters in an 11-2 season-opening win over the Aberdeen Ironbirds Tuesday night at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.
Aberdeen struck first in the first as third baseman Chris Johnson launched his first homer of the year over the leftfield wall to give the Ironbirds a 1-0 lead. Johnson, an eight-year major league veteran, was playing on a rehab assignment for triple-A Norfolk.
Hudson Valley would respond in a big way by putting up four runs in the second. After back-to-back singles started the inning, rightfielder Angel Perez doubled home one runner on a line drive to centerfield to tie the game. After a hit batsman loaded the bases, third baseman Bill Pujols grounded into a fielder's choice at second to give the Renegades the lead. Shortstop Deion Tansel followed with an RBI single to left. Then, with the bases reloaded two hitters later, centerfielder Emilio Gustavo grounded into a fielder's choice to third to plate the final run of the inning and give Hudson Valley a 4-1 lead.
The beat would go on in the third as four consecutive singles started the inning. Two runs came in on the final hit by leftfielder Oscar Rojas to make the score 6-1. Pujols followed and, with runners at the corners, he grounded into a double play to score Perez from third and increase the Renegades lead to six.
Following 28-minute rain delay in the eighth, Hudson Valley would put the game away in the ninth as Perez and Zac Law each hit two-run homers to make the score 11-1. Aberdeen centerfielder Jose Paez capped the scoring in the bottom-half on a solo shot of his own to make the final 11-2.
Renegades starter Austin Franklin (1-0) got the win after tossing five innings of two-hit ball. He allowed an earned run and struck out nine, including a revenge strikeout of Johnson in the fourth. Reliever Hector Lopez followed Franklin and struck out two in two innings of work. Garrett Fulenchek wrapped things up by striking out three and allowing a run in two frames. The loss went to Aberdeen's Nick Gruener (0-1) who came on in the second inning and allowed seven earned runs on nine hits in his lone inning of work.
Chris Johnson wasn't the only major leaguer Hudson Valley saw on Tuesday. Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton started the game for Aberdeen in a rehab assignment. He walked one and struck out another in his lone inning of work.
Hudson Valley opens the home portion of their schedule tomorrow as they host the Staten Island Yankees at 7:05. Right-hander Jhonleider Salinas will pitch for the Renegades against Yankees righty Drew Finley. There will be a fireworks show following the game. Tickets can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.
New York-Penn League Stories from June 21, 2017
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- Staten Island Topples Brooklyn in Season Opener - Brooklyn Cyclones
- Spikes Return Home to Complete Opening Week - State College Spikes
- So Far, So Good - Hudson Valley Renegades
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