AUBURN, NY - After dropping their series opener, 3-2, against the Muckdogs on Thursday, the Doubledays hoped that their offense would pick back up against Batavia starter Edgar Martinez. And with three players on rehab assignments leading off the batting order for Auburn, it appeared as though Auburn had the
AUBURN, NY - After dropping their series opener, 3-2, against the Muckdogs on Thursday, the Doubledays hoped that their offense would pick back up against Batavia starter Edgar Martinez. And with three players on rehab assignments leading off the batting order for Auburn, it appeared as though Auburn had the upper hand on a wet Friday night at Falcon Park. Martinez and the Muckdogs bullpen, however, had other plans.
The Doubledays (9-11) dropped the second game of their four-game series against the Muckdogs (13-7), 4-1, in a weather delayed start.
Although he was given the loss, Doubledays starter Pedro Gonzalez showcased his potential on the mound as he tossed four innings of two-run ball against the Muckdogs (only one of which was earned). It was a refreshing sight to see for Gonzalez - the 18-year old out of Chitre, Panama - as his longest outing of the season before tonight was only 1.2 innings, which he's done in two occasions in his three starts this season.
Evan Lee took the mound in relief in the fifth inning and - after battling Troy Johnston for 11 pitches - struck out the side. He recorded a scoreless sixth inning and tallied another two strikeouts before running into trouble in the seventh. A wild pitch put Milton Smith II on second with no outs, and a sacrifice bunt advanced him to third, where he scored on a sacrifice fly.
Bobby Milacki replaced Lee in the eighth inning and nearly escaped scot-free after allowing a leadoff triple to Albert Guaimaro. Milacki struck out Andrew Turner and made an athletic play on a soft bouncer to the mound to keep Guaimaro put and throw out Jack Strunc. His luck ran out, however, as Harrison Dinicola doubled to centerfield to plate the Muckdogs' fourth and final run.
The Doubledays' lone run of the night came in the second inning when Anthony Peroni was able to work a bases loaded, two-out walk. Auburn had another prime scoring opportunity in the third when the rehabbing Zach Collier came up to bat with runners on second and third, but Martinez was able to get him to foul out to end the inning.
The Doubledays will be back in action Saturday at 4 PM for the first game of their double header against the Muckdogs. Listen in on the action on fingerlakes1.com, milb.streamguys1.com, or the TuneIn app.
