Yankees Sweep Spinners with Another Walk-Off, 5-4
July 20, 2015 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Staten Island Yankees News Release
Following a Sunday afternoon game that saw Zack Zehner hit a walk-off home run, the Staten Island Yankees (18-11) finished their sweep of the Lowell Spinners (16-14) with another walk-off in the ninth inning, 5-4.
The Yankees jumped out to a comfortable lead to start the game. In the bottom of the first frame, Jeff Hendrix singled, then stole second to put himself in scoring position. Kyle Holder then reached on an error by Lowell shortstop Hector Lorenzana. After both runners advanced on a grounder, Hendrix scored on a pick off throwing error by Lowell pitcher Jose Almonte to give Staten Island their first run of the game. Jhalan Jackson extended the lead to 2-0 with a double to left field, plating Holder.
In the bottom of the second inning, Jake Hernandez was hit by a pitch, then both he and Eduardo de Oleo ended up in scoring position as de Oleo doubled to left field. Junior Valera sent Hernandez across the plate with his first of three base hits in the game. Hendrix then grounded into a double play, but brought home the fourth run of the game as de Oleo scored on the play.
The Spinners came storming back in the fifth inning. Josh Ockimey doubled, then Luis Alexander Basabe homered on a ball that barely cleared the right field wall to cut the Yankees lead to 4-2.
Staten Island went to the bullpen in the sixth inning with Mark Seyler, and the Spinners took advantage. For the second game in a row, Andrew Benintendi smashed a home run for his third bomb of the season to bring the score to 4-3 in favor of the Yankees.
The scoring didn't stop in the seventh inning for the Spinners. Ockimey drew a walk from Seyler, then Lorenzana singled, sending Ockimey to third. The Yankees went to the bullpen for Alex Robinett (W, 1-0), but Basade reached on an error by Thairo Estrada allowing Ockimey to tie the ball game.
With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, Valera collected his third hit of the game, then advanced to second on a wild pitch by Lowell reliever Edwar Garcia (L, 3-1). After Valera reached third on a ground out that brought the teams one out from going into extra innings, the Spinners intentionally walked Holder to bring home Estrada. Though he committed the error that allowed the game-tying run to score, Estrada brought home Valera for the winning run and the series sweep.
Staten Island now hits the road for six games against Mahoning Valley and West Virginia before returning to Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Tuesday, July 28, against Batavia.
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