Like a Banana, Renegades Split
BURLINGTON, VT - For the first time in three weeks, the Renegades lost a series after splitting a semi-doubleheader from the Lake Monsters at Centennial Field Saturday night. Hudson Valley lost the completion of Friday night's suspended game 3-2 in 11 innings before coming back to win the nightcap 3-2 in a game shortened to seven innings due to New York-Penn League rules. Hudson Valley lost two of three games to Vermont for the series.
The night got underway with the resumption of Friday's tied ballgame in the bottom of the 10th after rain and wet grounds pushed the restart back two hours. Each team squandered opportunities.
In the bottom of the 10th, Vermont got runners to first and second with no one out before reliever J.D. Busfield got a fly out and double play ball to get out of the jam.
In the 11th, rightfielder Angel Perez led off the inning by reaching third base on a throwing error by third baseman Jesus Lopez. However, shortstop Bill Pujols struck out and centerfielder Ryan Boldt grounded into a fielder's choice to third, which saw Perez thrown out at home, before leftfielder Garrett Whitley struck out to end the inning.
In the bottom of the eleventh, back-to-back singles by designated hitter JaVon Shelby and catcher Brett Sunde to put runners at first and second with no one out. After a groundout moved the runners to second and third, Busfield intentionally walked Lopez to load the bases. After that, pinch hitter Tyler Ramirez stepped in and grounded a ball into centerfield to give Vermont the 3-2 win in 11 innings.
Busfield (2-1) took the loss for Hudson Valley after allowing the winning run on five hits in only 1.1 innings of work. Jesus Zambrano (1-1) got the win in relief for Vermont after striking out two men in his only inning.
Catcher Danny De La Calle and Perez each had two hits to lead the Renegades offense. De La Calle scored a run, while Perez tripled, walked and drove in a run. The Lake Monsters got three hits apiece from second baseman Nate Mondou and shortstop Eli White. Each scored a run while White doubled, homered and drove in a run. Shelby went 2-5 with a run scored to aid the Vermont cause.
The Renegades started fast in game two by plating two runs in the first inning. With one out, Whitley was hit with a pitch before moving to third on a single from first baseman Nate Lowe. Third baseman Jon Popadics then followed with a double off of the third baseman Shelby, scoring Whitley and moving Lowe to third. After that, second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni lifted a sac fly to left to score Lowe and give the Renegades a 2-0 lead.
Renegades starter Spencer Moran staked the Renegades to that lead by pitching five innings of one-hit ball. He retired 15 of the 16 hitters he faced and struck out three. His lone blemish was an infield single to short by Shelby.
However, the Renegades gave way to reliever Brandon Lawson in the sixth, and the Lake Monsters mounted a two-run rally to tie the game. Back-to-back singles started the inning before second baseman Nate Mondou drew a walk to load the bases with no one out. A 6-4 fielder's choice by designated hitter Eli White scored a run and put runners at the corners with one out. That's when centerfielder Luis Barrera hit a sac fly to score shortstop Jesus Lopez to tie the game at two.
However, a little help by the Lake Monsters gave Hudson Valley the lead back in the seventh. Singles by designated hitter Landon Cray and shortstop Joseph Astacio put runners at first and second with one out. After a groundout moved the runners up a base, Whitley reached on a throwing error by Lopez to score Cray and give the Renegades a 3-2 lead.
Reliever Joe Serrapica (5) came in in the bottom of the seventh and struck out the side, retiring the Lake Monsters in order to pick up his fifth save and give the Renegades the win.
Lowe led the attack for Hudson Valley by going 2-4 with a triple and run scored. Catcher Joe Olson chipped in with two hits as well. The Lake Monsters had three singles in game two, each from a different player.
Despite giving up two earned runs, a walk, and two hits in one inning of work, Brandon Lawson (3-1) was credited with the win. The loss went to Lake Monsters reliever Ty Damron (0-1) who allowed an unearned run on two hits in his lone inning. He came in relief of starter Heath Bowers who allowed two runs on six hits in six innings, but received a no-decision.
Hudson Valley returns home Sunday to begin a three-game set with the Aberdeen Ironbirds. Southpaw Travis Ott 3-0, 0.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for Hudson Valley against lefty Keegan Akin (0-0, 1.80 ERA) for Aberdeen. First-pitch is set for 5:05. For tickets, call 845-838-0094 or go to hvrenegades.com.