Renegades Round-Trippers Sink Scrappers 6-3
Solo shots from Joey Rickard and Deshun Dixon, combined with a two-run blast off the bat of Tommy Coyle, contributed four of the Renegades' six total runs on the night. The home runs were also each career-firsts for the three Hudson Valley batsmen.
Rickard got the scoring started for Hudson Valley (15-11) in the bottom of the first inning by sending a fastball from Mahoning Valley (13-13) starter Geoff Davenport (0-2) deep over the left field fence. The leadoff homer gave the 'Gades a 1-0 advantage. Dixon would later take Davenport up and out for a leadoff homer in the bottom of the second inning that cleared the left field fence, extending the lead to 2-0.
In the bottom half of the third inning, Coyle led off with a single and swiped second base. Luke Maile struck out looking, bringing to the plate Ryan Dunn. On the first pitch, Dunn smacked an RBI single to left, plating Coyle to extend the lead to 3-0. Dunn advanced to second on the throw. Marty Gantt then flew out to right, sending Dixon to the plate with two outs. The Renegades right fielder then roped a base knock to center that plated Dunn for Dixon's second RBI of the contest. Hudson Valley's lead increased to 4-0 at that point. Dixon, however, was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit.
Mahoning Valley would answer right back in the top of the fourth inning when Brandon Henderson (3-0) came on in relief of Renegades starter Taylor Guerrieri. With two outs, Marcus Bradley knocked one of his three singles on the evening into left. Bradley advanced to second on a passed ball, and Erik Gonzalez capitalized on the situation with a double to right, scoring Bradley. Robel Garcia then smashed a double of his own to left, plating Bradley and shrinking Hudson Valley's lead to 4-2.
Rickard led off the bottom of the seventh with his third hit of the ballgame, a single to left. He advanced to second on the play when Scrapper left fielder Aaron Siliga bobbled the ball. Justin O'Conner then went down swinging for the 'Gades, setting the stage for Coyle. The Renegades second baseman hit a screaming liner over the right field wall for a two-run bomb, putting the 'Gades back up by four at 6-2.
Ryan Garton would enter the top of the ninth inning as the fifth pitcher used by Hudson Valley manager Jared Sandberg. Garton made things interesting when he surrendered two singles and a walk to the first three batters he faced, loading the bases. Sandberg went out to the mound and calmed down his righty, who recovered to induce a 6-4-3 double play. A run scored on the play, cutting the Renegade lead to 6-3, but Garton got Tyler Naquin to bounce out on a grounder to Coyle to end the affair.
Coyle's monster evening at the dish resulted in a 3-4 performance with two RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases. A recent renaissance in the month of July has raised the Renegades second baseman's batting average to .305 on the season.
Guerrieri threw three innings of shutout ball, allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over the course of his outing. Henderson threw three innings of relief, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out two and taking the win. Rob Finneran and Shay Crawford each threw a scoreless frame in relief, and Garton gave up a run on two hits and a walk over his inning of action.
The loss was charged to Davenport, who went 4.2 innings, surrendering seven hits and four runs. The lefty also walked three and fanned two for Mahoning Valley. Jacob Lee gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits over 2.1 frames of relief, striking out four. James Stokes tossed a scoreless eighth inning for Mahoning Valley, allowing one hit and striking out one.
The win helped Hudson Valley keep pace in the McNamara Division with the Brooklyn Cyclones following their victory over the State College Spikes. The 'Gades are one game behind the Cyclones for the divisional lead.
The two teams will be in action for the second game of the three-game set tomorrow evening as Jeff Ames (2-0, 1.13 ERA) slabs the rubber for Hudson Valley. Jake Sisco (0-1, 2.52 ERA) gets the nod for the Scrappers. Game time is set to begin at 5:05 p.m., with Ben Gellman's pregame show set for 4:50. You can catch all the action live on 1450 and 1370 WKIP, as well as online at HVRenegades.com. Make sure to head out to the stadium to see the contest, as the first 1,000 children 12 and under will receive a youth jersey courtesy of M&T Bank.