DeVoss & Chen lead comeback Cubs

Zeke DeVoss' two out, two-run double in the ninth inning tied the game at 5-5, and Pin-Chieh Chen's bunt single with runners on the corners and two outs in the 12th won the game for Daytona 6-5.

By Robbie Aaron

June 24, 2013

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Daytona Cubs trailed 5-2 in the ninth, down to their final out, but rallied for three runs to send the game to extra innings. The Cubs won in the 12th on a walk-off bunt single by Pin-Chieh Chen to defeat the Lakeland Flying Tigers 6-5 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Monday.

In the ninth, with two outs and C Chadd Krist on first trailing 5-2, RF Chen was hit by a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate in DH John Andreoli. Andreoli blooped a ball to right-center that fell in front of RF Steven Moya for an RBI double. With runners on second and third with two outs and the score 5-3, LF Zeke DeVoss took a 1-0 pitch from RHP Jose Valdez and lined it over the head of CF Chad Wright to the warning track which scored both runners and tied the game at 5-5.

The Flying Tigers and Cubs put a combined seven runners on base in the 10th and 11th innings, but neither team scored.

In the 12th, RHP Luis Liria (W, 1-3) retired the Tigers in order. In the bottom of the frame, 3B Ben Carhart lined out to center to start the inning. Krist reached on an error on a ball hit to third that was bobbled by Francisco Martinez. After 2B Wes Darvill struck out for the second out, Krist stole second. Then CF Tim Saunders grounded a ball to the left-side hole for an infield single which put runners on the corners with two outs. Chen then dropped a bunt halfway down the first base line and beat the throw from P Alex Burgos (L, 2-3) out to win the game for the Cubs.

Daytona trailed the game 3-0 but scored two runs in the fourth on a Saunders double to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Flying Tigers increased their lead to 5-2 in the eighth on a Moya two-run opposite field home run.

RHP Pierce Johnson made his debut for Daytona and pitched six innings. He allowed three runs on six hits, walked two and struck out six.

LHP Frank Del Valle pitched the scoreless 10th and 11th innings for Daytona to preserve the 5-5 tie.

Darvill finished 3-6 for Daytona. Andreoli went 2-4 with a walk, and both Saunders and Chen had two hits each.

Krist threw out three attempted base-stealers in the win.

With the win, the Cubs improved to 4-1 in the second half and 39-32 on the season. Daytona is 22-12 over its last 34 games.

The Cubs and Flying Tigers will play the final game of the three-game series on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.