What Can Brown Do For You

STATEN ISLAND, NY-Even though he did not figure into the decision, Staten Island starting pitcher Blakely Brown was masterful Friday evening as he struck out eight Hudson Valley batters on three hits over seven shutout innings in a 2-0 Yankees win over the Renegades at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. It was the first time the Renegades have been shutout this season. The loss, coupled with a win by Aberdeen, pulled the Renegades and Ironbirds into a first-place tie in the McNamara Division with three games remaining against each other.  
 
Though they were held to only four hits, the Renegades had multiple chances to score. In the fifth, rightfielder Beau Brundage lashed a single to right and catcher Luis Leon reached on a throwing error to put runners at first and second with two out. However, second baseman Ben Troike grounded into a fielder's choice to third to end the inning. 
 
In the seventh, Brundage walked and first baseman Jacson McGowan grounded a single to left with two away before Leon lined out to second to end the threat. In the eighth, shortstop Greg Jones walked with two away then swiped second. However, third baseman Nick Sogard struck out swinging to leave Jones stranded. 
 
The game remained scoreless all the way into the bottom-of-the-eighth when Staten Island put two on the board to take the lead. With one out and the bases empty, Renegades reliever Chris Gau issued a four-pitch walk to centerfielder Josh Smith. Gau was lifted for fellow-reliever Andrew Gross who allowed a single to right from shortstop David Metzgar to put runners at first and second with one away. After a groundout to second moved each man up a base, third baseman Andres Chaparro drilled a two-run double to centerfield as the Yankees took a 2-0 lead. 
 
In the ninth, Brundage reached on an infield single with two away to give Hudson Valley a chance. However, Staten Island closer Justin Wilson got McGowan to ground to third to end the game. 
 
Getting the win for the Yankees was Wilson (2-2) who followed Brown into the game and fired two shutout innings of relief while allowing a hit and striking out one. The tough-luck loser was Gau (3-6) who allowed the go-ahead run in the eighth on no hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.  
 
Brundage collected two of Hudson Valley's four singles while Metzgar went 2-4 to pace the Yankees who also had four hits. Metzgar doubled and scored a run for the game. 
 
The win gave Staten Island the season-series over Hudson Valley 7-5. 
 
Hudson Valley begins its three-game showdown with Aberdeen tomorrow in a 6:05 start from Dutchess Stadium. There will also be fireworks following the game. Right-hander Rodolfo Sanchez (2-2, 3.61 ERA) will take the hill for the Renegades against fellowrighty Ryan Conroy (5-4, 2.54 ERA) of the Ironbirds. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com, at the Dutchess Stadium ticket window, or by calling the ticket office at (845) 838-0094.