Pujols' Home Run Lifts Cutters Past Spikes
Williamsport, PA - The Williamsport Crosscutters picked up their sixth straight win against Pinckney Division foe State College on Monday night at Susquehanna Bank Park. The Cutters lowered their magic number for clinching the division to seven games with the 2-1 win. The last time Williamsport won the division title was at the end of the 2001 season. Williamsport holds a 7 1/2 game lead over State College and improves to 24-10 at home this season and 28-11 against divisional opponents.
The Crosscutters answered a run by State College in the top of the first inning with a pair of their own in the home portion. Tyler Gilbert allowed the single run off of a pair of doubles in his second consecutive start against the Spikes. Jose Pujols would strike gold for the Cutters against Spikes starter Jacob Evans hitting his third home run of the season to give Williamsport a 2-1 lead.
Williamsport turned in some great defensive play in as many nights behind Gilbert to keep the Spikes off of the scoreboard through the middle innings. State College looked to threaten against Gilbert in the top of the third inning. The Spikes picked up a lead-off single before the Cutters looked to turn a double play. Gilbert would survive the pressure to get out of the inning without surrendering a run.
The Cutters in their own respect would be held at bay by the Spikes pitching staff after the first inning. Pujols would finish the night 2 for 3 trying to put a spark into the Cutters offense. Kenny Koplove and Jacob Waguespack worked a pair of scoreless innings on relief of Gilbert, who went six innings en-route to striking out six batters. Rob Tasin made an appearance for the third consecutive night for the Cutters. Tasin would load the bases before recording the final out of the inning on a fielder's choice to end the game and pick up his 15th save of the season, which ties the Williamsport Short-Season and Crosscutters record for saves in a season.
Williamsport will host State College for game three of the series tomorrow night at Susquehanna Bank Park. First pitch on Wednesday is set for 7:05 P.M. It will be a huge as Williamsport looks to lower their magic number to five games. It will be Collectible Pin Giveaway #2 for the first 1,000 fans courtesy of Lycoming County Visitor's Bureau at Susquehanna Bank Park. There will also be an appearance from Denny McLain. McLain, a former American League MVP and two time Cy Young Award winner will throw out a ceremonial first pitch along with signing autographs for fans beginning at 7:00 P.M. on The Patio.
As the Williamsport Crosscutters drive towards their first post-season since 2005 continues, the team has announced that Playoff-4-Packs will go on sale Monday, August 31 at 10am in anticipation of up to 4 possible playoff games that could take place at Susquehanna Bank Park.
Fans can purchase Playoff-4-Packs at the Cutters Box Office or by calling the Cutters Hotline at (570) 326-3389. Playoff 4-Packs can only be reserved with a major credit card. Fans purchasing Playoff-4-Packs will only be charged for the number of games that are played at Susquehanna Bank Park.
Cutter Carvings - Mark Lair finished the night 1 for 2 with one run scored and one walk… Jose Pujols went 2 for 2 with a home run and two RBI… Brendon Hayden went 1 for 3 at the plate... William Cuicas went 1 for 3 with a single… Carlos Duran finished the night 1 for 4 with a single…