'Gades Throw One Away

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY- Staten Island starting pitcher Matt Sauer gave up one run in 6.1 innings, and the Hudson Valley defense yielded two unearned runs as the Yankees completed a three-game sweep of the Renegades 3-2 Friday night at Dutchess Stadium.
The Yankees scored first in the first as a single by centerfielder Alex Junior to begin the game was compounded by a two-base throwing error on a pickoff attempt from Renegades starting pitcher Nick Padilla. With Junior at third with one out, first baseman Eric Wagaman lofted a sac fly to rightfield to give Staten Island a 1-0 lead.
The Baby Bombers got two much-needed insurance runs in the sixth to put the game away. Leftfielder Ricardo Ferreira started the inning with a walk, stole second, then moved to third on a groundout. With one away, designated hitter Mike Ford stood in and ripped a double for his first RBI of the season. With two out and Ford still at second, Renegades relief pitcher Tanner Dodson uncorked a wild pitch, which allowed Ford to take third. Hudson Valley catcher Chris Betts tried to gun him down at third, however Betts' throw went into leftfield and brought Ford to the plate to increase the Staten Island lead to 3-0.
Hudson Valley got on the board in their half of the sixth as third baseman Tyler Frank led off with a double to left, moved to third on a groundout, then scored on a sacrifice fly to right by first baseman Jackson McGowan to pull the Renegades to within two.
The Renegades gave the Yankees a finish in the ninth. With one out, rightfielder Marvin Malone blooped a double to left. He stole third, then scored with two out when leftfielder Jake Stone smashed another double to straightaway centerfield, which almost left the ballpark. However, Staten Island closer Rodney Hutchison got pinch hitter Erik Ostberg to strike out swinging on three pitches to end the game.
In addition to his 6.1 innings, Sauer (1-1) got the win by allowing a run on five hits with three strikeouts. Padilla (1-3) was the tough-luck loser for the Renegades after allowing an unearned run on one hit with five strikeouts. Padilla allowed the first two men of the game to reach before retiring the final 15 hitters he faced.
Hutchison, making his professional debut, allowed an earned run on three hits in 2.2 innings to garner his first save.
The Renegades recorded eight hits, including two doubles and a run scored from Frank. Stone finished 2-4 with a double and RBI. Staten Island only had three hits in the contest.
The Renegades now head to Lowell to begin a three-game series with the Spinners tomorrow. First-pitch is set for 5:35. Righty Nick Padilla (1-2, 4.09 ERA) will be on the hill for the Renegades against fellow right-hander Matt Sauer (0-1, 2.40 ERA) of the Yankees.
Hudson Valley returns home on July 11^th when they kickoff a three-game series and homestand against the West Virginia Black Bears. Tickets can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.