Zimmerman Wins Fifth Straight; Aviators Hold on 4-3
Published on August 11, 2014 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford Aviators News Release
HANOVER PARK, IL - Ryan Zimmerman continued to roll as he picked up his fifth straight win as a starting pitcher as the Rockford Aviators, presented by Pearson, held off a late rally by the Schaumburg Boomers, 4-3.
Zimmerman would pitch seven innings and allow two runs on seven hits while walking and striking out one batter each. His defense was spectacular behind him tonight, turning three double plays.
The Aviators got on the board first for the third straight game, but this time, they held on to the lead for more than one half of an inning.
Tanner Witt and Brian Bistagne combined for a pair of RBI singles that scored Kalaika Kahoohalahala and Edgar Corcino to give the Aviators a 2-0 lead after the top of the first.
Tony Delmonico, who had the Aviators number throughout the entire series, put Zimmerman's streak in jeopardy in the bottom of the seventh inning as he followed up a triple by Justin Vasquez with a two-run home run to tie the game at two.
However, the Aviators came through for their starting pitcher in the top of the eighth inning, scoring two runs as Corcino had a RBI triple that scored Kyle Dhanini that was followed by a sacrifice fly from Witt to give the Aviators a 4-2 lead.
Matt Frahm also helped in relief as he came in to pitch the eighth inning and retired the Boomers in order to maintain the 4-2 lead heading into the ninth.
The Boomers would not go away quietly as Gerardo Sanchez entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. After striking out the first batter, Sanchez delivered a fastball inside that drilled Delmonico on the shoulder and allowed him to advance to first.
Mark Nelson then came in to pinch hit and drove a single to right field that allowed Delmonico to advance all the way to third. Delmonico would then score on a wild pitch to make the score 4-3 in favor of the Aviators, moving Clark Labitan, who came in to pinch run, to second base.
Sanchez would rally and strike out the final two batters to seal the win for the Aviators and clinch is 17th save of the season.
The Aviators will be back in action at Aviators Stadium tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. as the Southern Illinois Miners come to town to open a three-game series.
It will be Read Around the Bases Night at the ballpark and all kids who have completed the program will receive FREE admission to the game. For more information, contact your local library.
For ticket information to Aviators home games, go online to www.rockfordaviators.com or call the Aviators box office at 815-885-2255.
Frontier League Stories from August 11, 2014
- ThunderBolts Take Series at Gateway with 3-0 Win - Windy City ThunderBolts
- ThunderBolts Shutout Grizzlies in Series Finale - Gateway Grizzlies
- Little Fans a Lot as Otters Move into First Place - Evansville Otters
- Zimmerman Wins Fifth Straight; Aviators Hold on 4-3 - Rockford Aviators
- Boomers Nipped by Aviators - Schaumburg Boomers
- Otters Going for Series Win vs. Rascals - Evansville Otters
- Danny Poma Honored with Player of the Week Award - Washington Wild Things
- Schaumburg Boomers Seth Webster Named Pitcher of the Week - Schaumburg Boomers
- River City Rascals Set Promotions - River City Rascals
- Contending Miners Come to Aviators Stadium - Rockford Aviators
- Nowak, Urquhart to Appear on Otters Weekly Radio Show on Monday - Evansville Otters
- Pete Rose to Coach the Florence Freedom - Florence Y'alls
- Rascals Outgun Otters in Game 2 - River City Rascals
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