BARNSTORMERS DROP TWO TO SPIRE CITY

Second Half Win Streak Ends

The Spire City Ghost Hounds never lost control of a lead they established on Sunday, then slipped past the Barnstormers for a second win on Friday.

Leading, 3-0, before rains halted play Sunday afternoon, the Ghost Hounds pulled away for an 8-4 win in that game’s completion Sunday afternoon, and, later, Barnstormers nemesis David Kubiak pitched the Ghost Hounds to a 4-3 victory in a seven-inning contest.

Lancaster’s second half record dropped to 4-2.

Luke Becker singled home a fourth Spire City win as play resumed in the suspended game that restarted at 3:00 PM.  Leobaldo Cabrera, who had singled home the first run off Bret Clarke (0-5) on Sunday, doubled home a pair of runs in the sixth and launched a solo homer in the eighth as the Ghost Hounds continued to pull away.  Jimmy Paredes added a home run to lead off the sixth.

Jake Fisher (1-1, 1-3) remained in the game through the eighth inning for Spire City.  The left-hander ultimately yielded eight hits and four runs.  Jack Conley drove home the first run with a sacrifice fly.  Ariel Sandoval singled home Lancaster’s second run.  Wilson Garcia launched a two-run homer in the eighth to close out the scoring.

In the nightcap, the Ghost Hounds reached Spencer Johnston (1-2) for three runs in the top of the second.  Jimmy Paredes walked to lead off the inning.  Steve Brault hit a bouncer on the right side that deflected off the glove of first baseman Wilson Garcia, putting a second runner on base.  Moises Sierra lined a base hit to left to drive home a run, and the other two advanced a base on the throw.  Scott Kelly grounded a single up the middle to knock both runners home.

Andretty Cordero singled to left center with the bases loaded off David Kubiak (5-3) in the third.  Garcia tied the game with a leadoff homer in the fourth, but the Ghost Hounds retook the lead quickly.

With one out in the fifth, Leobaldo Cabrera singled into center.  Becker popped to short for the second out, but Starlin Castro reached the wall in right center for the decisive double.

Jack Weinberger retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth, and Zac Rosscup survived a leadoff walk to Trayvon Robinson in the seventh to earn his seventh save.

Dominic DiSabatino (3-5) will make his first start since July 2 on Saturday at 6:30.  Spire City has yet to announce its starter for the game.  Fireworks will follow.  Fans may tune into FloBaseball at 6:25.

NOTES:  Garcia’s homers were his first since June 24…Cordero has 28 hits in his last 67 at bats (.418)…He has 45 RBI in 41 games…He is now tied for third in the league in RBI and has 177 RBI in 198 games as a Barnstormer…He has 270 hits in that span…The Barnstormers will add RHP Jeff Cain for Saturday…He was recently released by the Arizona Diamondbacks from Class AA Amarillo…The club released IF Jake Hoover after the game.