'Dads Survive in Hagerstown with 5-4 W
Hagerstown, MD - The Hickory Crawdads flirted with danger all night Thursday in Hagerstown but ultimately had the pitching to prevail, as the 'Dads worked around a season-high 9 walks to come away with a 5-4 win over the Suns at Municipal Stadium.
Hickory pitchers Jonathan Hernandez, Jason Richman, and Joe Palumbo combined to allow only three hits in the game but all three hurlers walked at least one batter, with both Hernandez and Richman issuing four free passes. The trio was able to minimize the damage however, stranding 10 runners on the basepaths and allowing only one earned run.
The first four frames of the night served as a pitcher's duel between Hernandez and Hagerstown starter Joan Baez. The Crawdads finally broke open the tie in the 5th, with 3 runs coming home on two hits and a hit batter to put the 'Dads on top 3-0. Ti-Quan Forbes started the rally when he was hit by a pitch with one out. Jose Almonte followed with a single and LeDarious Clark reach on a fielder's choice to load the bases for Eric Jenkins, who brought home Forbes on an RBI sacrifice fly to left. Andy Ibanez then provided the frame's big blast with a 2-out, 2-RBI double down the left field line to bring home both Almonte and Clark.
Hernandez entered the 6th with a no-hitter for Hickory before Max Schrok doubled and Kelvin Gutierrez singled to put runners on the corners and end Hernandez's night. Richman entered and allowed one inherited runner to score before working around a pair of walks to strand the bases loaded and keep the Crawdads on top 3-1.
The 'Dads added to their advantage in the top of the 8th, when Dylan Moore reached on an error by Hagerstown shortstop Edwin Lora and came home one out later on an RBI triple from Frandy De La Rosa for a 4-1 score. The Suns answered in the bottom of the inning, with two walks and errors by both De La Rosa at third and shortstop Yeyson Yrizarri allowing two unearned runs to come in and cut the Hickory lead to 4-3.
The Crawdads picked up one last insurance run in the top of the 9th when Moore drew a 2-out, bases loaded RBI walk that brought in Clark and stretched the 'Dads advantage to 5-3. The extra tally would come in handy, as Hagerstown leadoff batter Victor Robles doubled off of Palumbo to start the 9th, took third base on a wild pitch, and scored on an error from catcher Tyler Sanchez to make the score 5-4. Palumbo settled down from there however, as he struck out the side to finish off the Hickory Victory.
Hernandez (2-1) earned the win for Hickory with one run allowed on two hits, 4 walks, and one strikeout over 5 innings pitched. Baez (0-2) took the loss for Hagerstown after allowing 3 runs on 2 hits, one walk, and 2 Ks. Palumbo (2) recorded the save after closing out the Crawdads win.
Ibanez finished the night 1-4 with a double, 2 RBI, and an intentional walk, while De La Rosa went 1-4 with a triple and an RBI. Almonte paced the club with three hits, going 3-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.
The Crawdads (11-4) will take on the Suns (10-5) again Friday night at 6:05 pm in game two of their 4-game series.
###