Doubledays lose rubber match to Renegades, 4-1

AUBURN, N.Y. - The Auburn Doubledays (14-7) only managed five hits on Monday night, as they fell in the rubber match of a three game series, 4-1, to the Hudson Valley Renegades (12-10) in front of 1,072 at Falcon Park. This is the first time all season the Doubledays have lost back-to-back games at home.

The Renegades took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. DH Justin O'Conner was issued a walk with one out in the inning, and he advanced to third on a single up the middle by 2B Tommy Coyle. Shortstop Ryan Dunn then grounded into a fielder's choice, which allowed O'Conner to score the first run of the game.

Auburn tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth. DH Craig Manuel lead off the inning with a single, and then stole second with one out to get into scoring position. With two away, catcher Spencer Kieboom brought Manuel home from second with an RBI single up the middle to plate what would turn out to be the Doubledays lone run of the ballgame.

Hudson Valley re-took a one-run lead the very next inning. Left fielder Joel Caminero singled to right to begin the inning. Then, two batters later with 3B Michael Williams at the dish, Caminero successfully stole second to get himself into scoring position. That steal paid dividends immediately as Williams drove a line drive single to right, plating Caminero and putting the Renegades ahead for good 2-1.

The final two runs for Hudson Valley came in the top of the ninth. After Doubledays LHP Elliott Waterman put two aboard with two outs by issuing two walks, Dunn made him pay by doubling to left field to push both runners across the plate and add some cushion to the Renegades lead.

Despite only allowing two runs on five hits in 5.1 innings, LHP Blake Monar (1-2) got tagged with the loss for Auburn. His counterpart for Hudson Valley, RHP Jeff Ames (2-0) got the win by tossing five innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four. RHP Ryan Garton earned his first save of the season for the Renegades.

After a day off on Tuesday, The Doubledays begin a six game road trip and three game series with Aberdeen on Wednesday night. Auburn will send RHP Pedro Encarnacion (2-0) to the mound for his fourth start of the year. He will square off against RHP Juan Guzman (0-0) for Aberdeen. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm. All Doubledays road games can be heard on WAUB 98.1FM and 1590AM, and online at www.fingerlakesdailynews.com by clicking on the WAUB stream under the "listen" tab.