IronBirds Fall to Tigers 2-1

A pitchers duel ends in 2-1 victory for the Connecticut Tigers

July 20, 2018

Aberdeen, MD:Willie Rios went 5.0 innings, only giving up one hit in another solid performace for the lefty facing a team from his home state of Connecticut. It was not enough on this night as the Tiger's pitching staff shut down the 'Birds for a 2-1 victory. RIOS COMES UP HUGE: Willie

Aberdeen, MD:Willie Rios went 5.0 innings, only giving up one hit in another solid performace for the lefty facing a team from his home state of Connecticut. It was not enough on this night as the Tiger's pitching staff shut down the 'Birds for a 2-1 victory.
RIOS COMES UP HUGE: Willie Rios was in some trouble early. In both the first and second inning, Rios had runners in scoring position with nobody out. In the first, he was able to go unscathed as he induced a doube play ball to change the momentum of the inning. Then in the second, Rios limited the damage by recording another twin-killer off the bat of Clark Brinkman. Coming in to score the Tigers first run on the bases loaded double play ball was Gresuan Silverio.
Other than the second inning run, Rios was flat out dominant. He ended up striking out three and walking three Tiger hitters. but only allowed one hit in the five innings he pitched tonight.
TORRES TRIPLE: Irving Ortega openened up the 3rd with his first hit with the IronBirds this season and then Alexis Torres would do the rest. He smashed a 91 mph fastball from the big lefty, Adam Wolf, for an RBI triple. It would tie the game at one a piece. It was Alexis Toress' first triple of the year.
RELIEVER'S SHINE: Both squads got huge performances from their pen. For Connecticut, Tirak Skubal, was lights-out in his three innings of relief. He struck out five and gave up zero runs, only walking one and giving up four hits.
For the 'Birds, they got a dynomite two innings of relief from Tyler Joyner. He didn't give up a hit or a run and struck out two.
TIGERS POUNCE IN 9TH: Tigers newcomer, Jeremiah Burks, came through for the tigers in the 9th. He reached with an infield single that would score the go-ahead run in the 9th on a slow roller in between first and second. IronBirds Second-baseman, Alexis Torres, snatched the groundball but his throw was off line to 'Birds closer, Diogenes Almengo and it allowed Sam McMillan to score from second. That was the difference in tonight's ball game.
UP NEXT: Game two takes place tomorrow night between the 'Birds and Tigers. First pitch is set for 7:05.