LONG BALLS LEAD LANCASTER

Jacobs Hits Decisive Blast in 5-4 Win

Mike Jacobs had the final say in a seesaw battle at Clipper Magazine Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Lancaster DH blasted a towering home run to right center field with one out in the eighth inning to send the Barnstormers to a 5-4 victory over the Bridgeport Bluefish at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Lancaster ended a four-game skid with the win while Bridgeport remained within three games of the first place Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division.

The ‘Stormers trailed, 4-3, entering the bottom of the eighth. Josh Bell opened the inning with a ground single into right field on a two-strike pitch from Sam Gervacio (1-3). Sean Halton ripped a double to the wall in left to score Bell, tying the game, but was thrown out at third in an attempt to advance on a bobbled relay throw. Jacobs followed with his fifth home run of the season toward the walkway in deep right center.

Second baseman Luis Rodriguez gave the Bluefish their initial lead with a ground single into center field in the second inning that plated Jose Cuevas who had walked and taken second on a balk.

Halton answered with a two-run homer to left in the bottom of the inning, giving the Barnstormers their first lead.

Bridgeport raced its way to two runs in the top of the third inning. Luis Hernandez singled to right with one out and took third on Welington Dotel’s two-out base hit to center. Dotel took off for second, and catcher Mike McDade’s throw bounced away from Kevin Ahrens, allowing Hernandez to score. With Jose Gil at the plate, Dotel bolted for third and came all the way around to score when Connor Root’s pitch skipped toward the third base dugout.

Again, Lancaster used the long ball with K.C. Hobson hitting his third homer in two games against Bridgeport right-hander Ross Seaton.

The tie did not last. Cuevas again walked, leading off the fourth. Rodriguez moved him to second with a bunt, and Jonathan Galvez picked up the run with a double off the wall in right. Angelys Nina followed with a single to left. Bridgeport took a gamble and sent Galvez, but we was cut down at the plate by Halton, stifling the threat.

Pete Andrelczyk (9-2) threw a scoreless eighth to earn the win. Cory Burns hit a batter with one out in the ninth but was otherwise perfect for his 27th save of the season.

The rubber game of the series will be played Sunday at 2:00. Lancaster will send Justin Jackson (3-2) to the hill against left-hander Matthew Spann. A special 9/11 commemoration will precede the game. Lancaster native Taylor Kinney, the star of NBC’s Chicago Fire, will be in attendance.

NOTES: Hobson’s homer extended his hitting streak to 12 games…Halton’s homer was his first since August 12…Andrelczyk moved into fourth place on the all-time wins list with his 23rd…Lancaster’s bullpen combined to throw 5 1/3 shutout innings on three singles…The HBP was the first of the season by Burns.