Sunday’s News and Notes

The Quick Rundown…

Syracuse Chiefs W, 3-2 vs. Lehigh Valley
Starting Pitcher: Chico (ND) 6IP 5H 2R 2ER 2BB 2K 1HR
Pitching Star: Severino (W, 5-3) 2IP 2H 0R 1BB 2K
Hitting Star #1: Martinez 1-2, 2B, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Orr 1-3, R, RBI
Notes: Pete Orr singled in pinch-runner Yunesky Maya and Mike Martinez doubled in Orr for the two-run rally that would erase a 2-1 deficit and give the Syracuse Chiefs a 3-2 win over Lehigh Valley. Starter Matt Chico went six innings and gave up both Iron Pig runs on five hits and two walks. Atahualpa Severino pitched the seventh and eighth innings for the win, while Adam Carr came on for a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save. The win kept pace with wild-card leader Columbus, but the Chiefs still trail by 4½ games.

Harrisburg Senators W, 6-5 vs. Trenton (10 inn.)
Starting Pitcher: Milone 6⅔ IP 6H 2R 2ER 0BB 3K
Pitching Star: Pena 1⅓ IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K
Pitching Un-Star: James (BS, 1) 1IP 3H 3R 0BB 3K 1HR
Hitting Star #1: Lombardozzi 2-4, 3R, BB, HR, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Valdez 2-4, 3B, RBI
Notes: Chris Marrero was intentionally walked to set up a double play and Jesus Valdez showed his disdain with an RBI single to give the Senators a 6-5 win over the Trenton Thunder. The bullpen failed Tom Milone in his bid for win #12, as Chuck James surrendered a two-run HR to the first batter he faced in the top of the seventh to turn a 2-1 lead into a 3-2 deficit. James would give up two more runs in the top of the eighth to extend the Thunder lead to 5-2, but the Senators rallied for three in the bottom half to tie the game at 5-5, thanks to a three-run shot by Marvin Lowrance. The win kept place with third-place Bowie, while fourth-place Akron fell; Harrisburg’s lead remains 1½ over the Baysox and 3½ games over the Aeros.

Potomac Nationals L, 7-6 @ Frederick
Starting Pitcher: Holder 4IP 8H 6R 5ER 2BB 2K 3HR
Pitching Star: Martinez 2⅔ IP 1H 0R 0BB 0K
Hitting Star #1: Norris 3-4, R, 2B, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Lyons 2-3, R, 2B, BB
Notes: Pedro Florimon Jr. channeled Homer Simpson with a hit-by-pitch to drive in the winning run and avert a series sweep as the Frederick Keys defeated the Potomac Nationals 7-6. It was the fifth and final lead change as just three times neither team was able to score in either half of the inning. Starter Trevor Holder continues to struggle keeping the ball in the park, as surrendered three home runs in four-plus innings, charged with six runs on eight hits and two walks. Joe Testa took the loss with a rocky ninth inning that featured two hits, two walks (one intentional) and two strikeouts before the run-scoring hit-by-pitch. Despite the opportunity to gain ground, Wilmington fell in extras to Lynchburg.

Hagerstown Suns — OFF DAY
Notes: The Suns set the 2010 season with a seven-game road trip through Kentucky and West Virginia, three against the Legends, four against the Power. Hagerstown is two games out of the cellar and 1½ games away from fifth place in the second half.

Vermont Lake Monsters L, 7-2 @ Aberdeen
Starting Pitcher: Jordan (ND) 6IP 6H 2R 2ER 1BB 7K 1HR
Pitching Star: Crane 2IP 1H 1R 0ER 2BB 1K
Pitching Un-Star: Meza 5BF, 3H, 2HBP
Hitting Star #1: Keyes 1-4, R, HR, RBI
Hitting Star #2: Moore 1-3, R, BB, HR, RBI
Notes: A four-run seventh broke a 2-2 tie and sent Vermont to a 7-2 loss, its fourth in the past five games. Starter Taylor Jordan went the first six innings, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk while setting down seven on strikes. The first man out of the bullpen, newly promoted from the GCL Christian Meza, failed to retire a batter, giving up three hits and hitting two batters with two pitches before Dustin Crane was able to get out of the inning with a strikeout, a groundout that sent home one runner, and a popup. Hitters of the game Kevin Keyes and Wade Moore collected the only extra-base hits, as the Lake Monsters were 0-for-8 with RISP and left… wait for it… eight men on base. The loss drops Vermont back into a tie for first place with Connecticut.