MESA THWARTS LANCASTER AGAIN

Tying Run Gunned Down at Plate as Lancaster Falls

Melky Mesa gave the York Revolution a lead with a three-run homer in the third inning on Thursday night, then protected it by throwing out Trace Loehr as the tying run in the top of the eighth as York beat the Lancaster Barnstormers, 5-4, at People’s Bank Park.

The win completed a three-game sweep of the Barnstormers and pushed the decision on the 2022 War of the Roses back to September 13-15 in Lancaster.  The ‘Stormers now lead the season series, 16-13.

Trailing, 5-3, entering the eighth inning, the Barnstormers got Dondrei Hubbard aboard on a leadoff error as his line drive was mishandled by shortstop Elmer Reyes.  Hubbard stole second with one out and third with two outs before Loehr walked.  Loehr also stole second giving Melvin Mercedes a chance to end Lancaster’s drought of 19 straight hitless at bats with a runner in scoring position.  Mercedes came through with a single to left, but Mesa, for the second straight night, cut down Loehr at the plate.

Jim Fuller survived singles by Trayvon Robinson and Ariel Sandoval in the ninth for his 14^th save.

Sandoval gave Lancaster a 1-0 lead with a solo homer to right center in the second, but the Revs answered in their half of the inning as Jhon Nunez looped a double down the left field line with two outs to plate Yefri Perez from second.

A misfire trying to catch Mercedes around third allowed him to score a go-ahead run in the top of the third.  Nile Ball (7-4) walked Telvin Nash and Nellie Rodriguez in the bottom of the inning before Mesa cranked his 13^th homer of the season to left.

Andretty Cordero homered to open the fifth, but again, York responded as Nash and Perez combined on a pair of doubles for the 5-3 edge.

Eduardo Rivera (6-3) worked 5 1/3 innings for the win.

Lancaster will head to Charleston on Friday.  The Barnstormers will send Cameron Gann (6-8) to the mound against lefty Michael Gunn (1-4).  Fans may tune into the YouTube channel at 6:25.

NOTES:  Lancaster maintained a 2 ½ game lead over Southern Maryland, which lost at Gastonia…Lancaster is 0-45 in games they have trailed entering the last scheduled inning…The club is 11-18 in one-run games…Sandoval has hit in 13 straight…Anthony Peroni has a seven-game streak…York won its 1,000^th game all-time.