SEASON-HIGH FIVE HOMERS PRODUCE WIN

Lancaster Routs York, 11-4

The Lancaster Barnstormers got several players back on Tuesday evening, and they were happy about the reunion.

Melvin Mercedes drove in four runs in the first two innings, and the Barnstormers cruised to an 11-4 win over the York Revolution in the opener of a three-game series.  The ‘Stormers set a season high with five homers in the victory.

Mercedes reached Nick Travieso (2-3) for a two-run homer off the tents in right for his fourth homer of the season in the first.  The Barnstormers second baseman tacked on a two-run single to right in the second following a double by Anderson Feliz, who had been out since May 30, and a HBP for Shawon Dunston, Jr.

A homer by Connor Lien and an RBI groundout from Troy Stokes, Jr. in the bottom of the second cut the lead to two.  Then, Kelly Dugan, who had been out for a week belted his 18^th homer of the season, a drive to left center, to start the third. 

Nile Ball (3-3) retired 15 of 17 through the middle innings while Travieso also got settled.  The game remained, 5-2, through six, but the Barnstormers produced some breathing room against the York bullpen.  In the seventh, Trace Loehr and Mercedes singled around a walk to Dunston.  One run scored as Dugan grounded into a double play.  Andretty Cordero followed with a two-run homer down the left field line for an 8-2 lead.

Ball faded somewhat in the seventh.  With one out, he hit Lenin Rodriguez with a pitch.  Stokes belted a ground rule double to left center, and Elmer Reyes chased both home with a solid single to left.  Ball recovered to finish the inning.

Cole Aker and Chase Johnson, neither of whom had pitched since June 12, tossed a scoreless inning apiece.  Colton Shaver and LeDarious Clark slammed late home runs as the Barnstormers pulled away.

Brooks Hall (0-0) will make the start for Lancaster against Austin Nicely (1-5) on Wednesday at 6:30.  Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube channel at 6:25.

NOTES:  Lancaster now leads the War of the Roses, 9-5…Dugan’s homer was his 10^th in 13 games he has played against the Revolution…Mercedes had his first four-RBI game as a Barnstormer…Shaver’s homer was his 14^th extra base hit in 16 games…Cordero has hit safely in 17 of 19…Loehr is batting .361 (13-36) in his last nine games…Ball worked seven innings for the second straight start…He threw 119 pitches…Lancaster moved back to a positive run differential (+3) for the season.