Doubledays drop four-run lead, game in extras

AUBURN, N.Y. - The Auburn Doubledays (37-25) dropped just their second game when leading after seven innings this season, losing to the State College Spikes (30-32) on Wednesday, 5-4, in 12 innings. It was the longest game (innings wise) that the Doubledays have played this summer.

The winning run in the top of the 12th scored on Auburn's lone error of the night. With runners at first and second and one out, RF Jesus Vasquez hit a ground ball to the left side of the infield. The ball was gobbled up by Doubledays SS Carlos Alvarez, who threw to 2B Mike McQuillan to get the force out at second base. McQuillan then tried to turn and fire to first to complete the inning-ending double-play, but his throw sailed past 1B Shawn Pleffner, allowing CF Walker Gourley to score the winning run for State College.

Auburn was leading 4-0 after seven innings, but a four-run rally for the Spikes in the eighth sent the game into extras. The top of the eighth began with three consecutive singles by the first three hitters in the State College lineup. Then, RHP Gilberto Mendez walked DH Jacob Stallings to allow the first spikes run to score. After the walk Mendez was replaced by RHP Michael Boyden with the bases still loaded. Boyden was able to strike out the first batter he faced, but then came 1B Samuel Gonzalez to the plate. Gonzalez smashed a bases-clearing double to right, giving him a three-hit night and his team new life.

All four Doubledays runs came in the first three innings. In the first a leadoff walk turned into a run thanks to an RBI double from LF Estarlin Martinez. In the second catcher Craig Manuel leadoff the inning with a single, and ended up advancing two bases because of wild pitches, the second of which allowed him to score from third. Alvarez also scored in the inning after being driven in by a double from DH Tony Renda. In the third RF Brandon Miller smoked a two-out solo homer over the left field wall for his fourth homerun of the season.

Auburn starter LHP Nick Lee ended up shutting out the Spikes for six innings, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out six. It was RHP Derek Self (1-3) who ended up giving up the run in the 12th, and as a result took the loss. LHP Dalton Friend (3-1) earned the win for State College, going three innings without allowing a run on just one hit.

The Doubledays wrap-up their three-game series with the Spikes in Auburn on Thursday August 23. Auburn will send RHP Ivan Pineyro (3-1) to the mound for his sixth start of the summer. He will match up against RHP Adrian Sampson (0-1) for State College. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm. It will be the final $1.00 Thursday of the summer, with Labatt or Buweiser drafts, Coca-Cola soft drinks, and Hoffman hot dogs all available for just $1.00 each. Tickets available by calling the Doubledays box office at 315-255-2489 or by going online to www.auburndoubledays.com.