Comeback Kids: Renegades whiz past Blue Rocks 10-8
Wilmington, Del. (May 25, 2023) — A historic night at the plate for Aaron Palensky and Rafael Flores sparked the Hudson Valley Renegades to from behind twice and defeat the Wilmington Blue Rocks 10-8 on Thursday night at Frawley Stadium. Palensky finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored, two doubles, a
Wilmington, Del. (May 25, 2023) — A historic night at the plate for Aaron Palensky and Rafael Flores sparked the Hudson Valley Renegades to from behind twice and defeat the Wilmington Blue Rocks 10-8 on Thursday night at Frawley Stadium.
Palensky finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored, two doubles, a home run and three RBIs. It was his second straight three-hit game and his third consecutive multi-hit contest. His three extra-base hits in the game made him the Renegades all-time career leader in that category with 46 (20 doubles, 4 triples, 22 HRs).
The Blue Rocks went in front in the bottom of the first with two runs off Zach Messinger, but the Renegades struck back in the top of the second to tie the game at 2-2. With runners on first and second, Grant Richardson roped a two-run double down the right field line to score Spencer Henson and Rafael Flores. It was part of a 2-for-4 night for Richardson, giving him back-to-back multi-hit games.
In the top of the third, the Renegades took the lead on a two-run ground rule double to left by Palensky, who later stole third and scored on a Flores RBI single to put the ‘Gades in front 5-2.
Wilmington answered with a run in the bottom of the third on a Will Frizzell RBI single off Messinger, who allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in 4.0-plus innings while walking four and striking out two.
Palensky hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth to extend the lead to 6-3. The blast was his South Atlantic League-leading 12th of the season, and moved him into a tie for second on the Renegades career home run list with 22, drawing even with Tyler Hardman and Dan Grummitt, one shy of Everson Pereira’s franchise record.
The Blue Rocks tied the game with three runs in the fifth, but the Renegades went back in front in the top of the sixth on an Alexander Vargas RBI single. However, James Wood blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the frame to put Wilmington in front 8-7.
The Renegades tied the game in the top of the eighth on a Jones RBI groundout, and in the ninth, Hudson Valley went back in front on back-to-back doubles by Palensky and Antonio Gomez. Two batters later, Flores chased home Gomez with a single off Tyler Schoff (1-3) to put the ‘Gades up 10-8. Flores went 4-for-5 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Danny Watson (3-1) turned in 2.0 scoreless innings of relief while striking out four, and Jack Neely earned his second save of the season by striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth to seal the win.
Postgame Notes: Palensky continued his assault on the Renegades record book with his massive game. In addition to becoming the Renegades all-time extra-base hit leader and moving into a tie for second place on the career HR list, he moved into a tie for second in runs scored (73), and third in RBIs (66).
Hudson Valley continues its series with Wilmington on Friday night at Frawley Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 a.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 5:45 on the Renegades Baseball Network. The Renegades send RHP Juan Carela (1-2, 4.15) to the mound, while the Blue Rocks have not announced a starter.