So Long, First Half
July 5, 2018 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
The Lancaster Barnstormers managed to end the first half of their season on a high note with a 4-1 victory over the Road Warriors Thursday night at Clipper Magazine Stadium. A three-run eighth inning started by a Blake Gailen solo shot was the difference maker in what gave the Stormers' a series win, taking three of four from the feisty Roadies.
The Barnstormers finished the first half with a record of 38-25, while the Road Warriors fell to 17-46.
Gailen, one of Lancaster's eight All-Stars, led off the eighth by taking a 1-2 pitch from Zech Zinicola (0-1) out to right field, for his league-leading 14th homerun of the year. Ryan Casteel and K.C. Hobson each singled after the long ball. Both scored on Anderson De La Rosa's booming two-run double to the fence in left. That capped a huge night for the Lancaster receiver, who put up three hits and two doubles.
Spot starter John Anderson got the Barnstormers through four innings of work, allowing just two hits. One of those was a first inning homer by Jorge Fernandez-Diaz lofted into the Haller Pavilion. The swing sent the ball flying high in what looked to be a routine fly out for Gailen in right, yet the ward, humid air currents kept the ball in motion, as it just glanced off the rooftop in right for an early 1-0 lead for the visitors in the first inning.
The Barnstormers would go on to tie the contest in the third. Lefty Kelvin Villa walked Ryan Casteel with two outs. Trayvon Robinson followed with a triple that just eluded Road Warriors center fielder Matt Hibbert against the vinyl signs in left center, scoring the run.
From there the game remained deadlocked for several innings, with solid pitching from both sides. Five pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts in favor of Lancaster. After Anderson finished four innings, Huascar Brazoban, Matt Marksberry, Garett Granitz, and Matt Reynolds pitched a combined five innings of no run, six hit baseball. Granitz (1-0) got the win, while Reynolds earned his 16th save of the season.
The second half of the season kicks off Friday night at Clipper Magazine Stadium, with the Barnstormers entertaining the New Britain Bees for a three-game set. Steve Johnson (3-4, 3.89 ERA) takes the hill for Lancaster against Bees' righty Kyle Simon (4-4). Friday features a Fanny Pack Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans 14 and older. Tickets can be purchased at the Two Dudes Box Office, or online here! Fans may tune into the Barnstormers' Youtube channel, beginning at 6:45.
NOTES: The Barnstormers finished the first half with a 25-11 record on Prince Street...Brazoban kept his ERA perfect through 13 appearances, despite allowing singles to the first two batters he faced...With his 52nd RBI of the season, Gailen is more than halfway to the club record of 103, set by Aaron Herr in 2010...De La Rosa picked up three or more hits in a game for the second time this season...Robinson's triple was his fifth, bringing him within one of the league lead...It was his first since May 29.
Atlantic League Stories from July 5, 2018
- So Long, First Half - Lancaster Stormers
- Snider hits RBI double in loss - Long Island Ducks
- Blue Crabs Finish First Half in Positive Fashion - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Bees Close Out First Half By Taking Rubber Game From Ducks - New Britain Bees
- Blue Crabs Rally Late to Top Patriots - Somerset Patriots
- Stewart Signed by Blue Jays - New Britain Bees
- Revs Edged by the Long Ball in Rain-Shortened July 4 Defeat - York Revolution
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