'Stormers Win Long Ball Battle
Published on June 11, 2013 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
The Atlantic League All-Star Game at Regency Furniture Stadium may be 29 days away, but the Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs held a warmup for Home Run Derby on Tuesday evening.
Just like in the long ball contest, clearing the fences was the only way to score in Tuesday night's game.
Each side blasted three home runs, but two of Lancaster's came with runners aboard as the Barnstormers downed Southern Maryland, 6-3, in the opener of a three-game series. The Barnstormers moved back to two games over .500 on the season while the Blue Crabs' lead over Long Island in the Liberty Division dropped to two games.
Neither team could crack the scoreboard in the first three innings, and it looked like the Barnstormers might let an opportunity slip away in the fourth. Travis Denker drew a walk from Wade Korpi (1-1), and Travis Denker sent him to third with a ground single through the hole on the right side. Korpi got Ryan Harvey to pop out and Kevin Howard to fly to shallow right, pinning the runners in place. Kody Kirkland took care of the situation, however, with a booming three-run homer to left center, his fourth of the year, boosting Lancaster to a 3-0 lead.
Olmo Rosario followed with a blast to left center, following a Blake Gailen single, in the top of the fifth for a 5-0 lead.
Horacio Ramirez (3-1) appeared to be on Easy Street. The lefty retired 12 of 13 batters over the first four innings, fanning seven. Then, he was bitten by the home run bug in the bottom of the fifth. Cyle Hankerd took him out of the yard to the left of the batter's eye leading off the inning. After a long single off the left field wall by Cesar Nicolas and a double play grounder, Jeremy Owens, the #4 home run hitter in league history, slugged his third of the season to left center, cutting the lead to 5-2.
Alvin Colina and Ryan Harvey hit solo homers to close out the scoring, but the Blue Crabs had a pair of major chances to strike without the long ball.
In the sixth, Ramirez yielded a two-out single by Jose Julio-Ruiz and was pulled from the game. Nate Reed, who has not allowed a run since May 1, took over. Reed walked Ryan Mulhern and yielded a busted bat single to Hankerd to load the bases. Manager Butch Hobson popped out from the dugout again and summoned new right-hander Brodie Downs into the game. The sidewheeler got Nicolas to pop to Denker in short right field to end the threat.
Following Colina's leadoff homer in the seventh, Mike Richard grounded a one-out double down the third base line. Yoslan Herrera came into the game to strike out Sean Smith. Wladimir Sutil kept the inning alive, arriving safely at first on a high throw by shortstop Olmo Rosario from deep in the hole at shortstop. Herrera, pitching with the tying runs on base, fanned Julio-Ruiz to end the inning.
Jason Richardson and Jason Urquidez each pitched a 1-2-3 inning to end the game.
The Barnstormers visit Southern Maryland again on Wednesday. Alan Johnson (1-2) will make the start for Lancaster. Fans may tune into 1390-AM, WLAN; 1600-AM, WPDC; 1390wlan.com or the I Heart Radio cell phone app beginning at 6:45.
NOTES: Lancaster pitchers struck out a season-high 14...The Barnstormers have hit 10 homers in the last three games, four by Ryan Harvey...Harvey remained one off the league home run lead as Somerset's Jake Fox also connected...Harvey has 10 homers in the last 22 games and 46 in his last 130 games, including the 2012 playoffs..Daryle Ward extended a hitting streak to seven games...Reed technically made his 13th consecutive appearance without allowing a run...Herrera made his 12th...Kirkland's homer was his first since May 8, when he belted two...It was, however, his eighth extra base hit in 10 games.
Atlantic League Stories from June 11, 2013
- 'Stormers Win Long Ball Battle - Lancaster Stormers
- Revs Use Long Ball To Take Lead, Clutch Pitching To Hang On Late - York Revolution
- Hall Powers Ducks Past Bluefish - Long Island Ducks
- Strong Start Doesn't Last in Blue Crabs Loss - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Revolution Hang on for 6-5 Win over Patriots - Somerset Patriots
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