BAIN, BULLPEN PITCH LANCASTER TO WIN

Stormers Climb to Second with 4-2 Victory

Jeff Bain did not get off to a good start, but the right-hander recovered.

Spire City reached Bain (3-2) for two runs on the first three batters, but the right-hander and the Lancaster relief staff allowed nothing else as the Lancaster Barnstormers defeated the Ghost Hounds, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

With the win, Lancaster climbed into second place in the North Division, one-half game behind Southern Maryland.

Leobaldo Cabrera opened the game with a walk and promptly scored on a double to right center by Craig Dedelow.  Dedelow took third on a throw to the plate and came home on a ground out by Jose Marmolejos.

Bain was tested again in the second as Spire City loaded the bases, but Marmolejos struck out to end the threat. 

Overall, Bain worked six innings, surrendering five hits and a season-high four walks.  He fanned six.

Lancaster was stymied by David Kubiak (8-5) for the first two innings before loading the bases with no one out in the third.  Kubiak bounced back to fan Yeison Coca, but the Barnstormers managed one run on a sacrifice fly by Andretty Cordero.

The fifth inning proved to be the turning point.  With one out, Trace Loehr knocked a single into center.  Melvin Mercedes singled to right center but was cut down by Marmolejos at second.  Loehr would race home on a wild pitch to tie the game.  Coca homered onto the right field deck for a 3-2 edge.  Cordero followed that with a double to right center and scored on a single at the same angle by Ariel Sandoval for the 4-2 edge.

Lancaster would not produce another base hit.  Spire City put up a challenge against each of Lancaster’s three relievers, putting runners at first and second with one out against Zach Warren in the seventh and Mike Adams in the ninth.  Both innings ended on a ground ball double play.

The Barnstormers send newcomer Matt Swarmer to the hill on Saturday evening against a yet-to-be-signed pitcher for Spire City.  Fireworks will follow the game.  Fans may tune into the broadcast on FloBaseball, beginning at 6:25.

NOTES:  The Barnstormers have both turned and hit into six double plays over the past two games…Both of Coca’s homers have come against Spire City…Nick Duron has thrown eight straight scoreless appearances, covering 7 1/3 innings…Adams also tossed his eighth straight scoreless outing, good for a total of nine innings of work…Cordero’s double was his 32^nd of the season, leaving him nine short of the franchise record.ReplyReply allForward

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