VanMeetren Breaks Deadlock to Give Doubledays a Win
July 21, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Auburn Doubledays News Release
BURLINGTON, VT - In a pitcher's duel that led to a scoreless game heading to the eighth, it was the designated hitter Erik VanMeetren who was the hero for the Doubledays in a 2-0 victory over the Lake Monsters.
Jefry Rodriguez started for the Doubledays and was brilliant overall and especially in tough situations against the Lake Monsters. In the first inning, Rodriguez gave up a triple to Richie Martin with one out. But the righty struck out Mikey White and forced Chris Iriart to ground out to end the first.
Bubba Derby started for the Lake Monsters and pitched very well in his three innings. The righty's line as 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, and 1 K. Derby only faced 10 hitters total over those four innings and never let a runner reach scoring position before he was replaced by Chris Kohler in the fourth.
In the fourth, Rodriguez got out of his second jam. Iriart lined a double into right one out and moved over to third on a ground out to first from Seth Brown. But Rodriguez then got Nick Collins to fly out to right to end the inning.
Heading into the bottom of the fifth with the game still scoreless, Vermont was sending its 7-8-9 hitters to the plate to face Rodriguez. Skye Bolt led off with a single up the middle and was moved to second two batters later by Jesus Lopez's single to right to put runners on first and second with one out. Bolt then moved to third on a fielder's choice by Steven Pollares, but was stranded there when Richie Martin grounded into a fielder's choice to end the fifth.
In the sixth, the Doubledays had their first big opportunity. Erik VanMeetren reached on an error by Kohler and then advanced to second on a throwing error by Kohler on the same play, a bunt down the third base line. But VanMeetren was called out at second when Jake Jefferies flew out to right because he left second too early. With two outs, Victor Robles hit a bloop double to center, but was stranded when Edwin Lora struck out.
After Jefry Rodriguez retired the 3-4-5 hitters in the bottom of the sixth, he was taken out of the game. The righty's final line was 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 6 K's, but he didn't earn a decision. In the seventh, he was replaced Andrew Lee who gave up a single, but also struck out two and left the runner on first.
In the top of the eighth, Jakson Reetz led off with a walk before Randy Encarnacion struck out. VanMeetren stepped up next and turned on an inside fastball and launched it over the left field wall to give the Doubledays a 2-0 lead. The home run was the first of his professional career and also his first extra base hit.
With a 2-0 lead, Lee stepped on the mound in the bottom of the eighth to face the top of Vermont's order. The righty proceeded to strike out the side in order and finished his two innings of work with five strikeouts. Lee's line was 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, and 5 K's to earn his first victory.
After the Doubledays were retired in order in the top of the ninth, Tommy Peterson shut the door in the bottom of the ninth to give the Doubledays a 2-0 victory.
Auburn returns to Centennial Field for game two of the series Wednesday at 7:05 PM. Taylor Guilbeau (0-0, 2.08 ERA) starts for the Doubledays against Kyle Friedrichs (0-0, 3.00 ERA) for the Lake Monsters.
Tuesday's Particulars:
WP - Andrew Lee (1-0)
LP - Chris Kohler (2-1)
SV - Tommy Peterson (3)
HR - AUB: Erik VanMeetren (1), VER: None
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