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WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY- Four consecutive walks by the Vermont Lake Monsters in the 10th inning allowed the Hudson Valley Renegades to overcome a two-run deficit and win 4-3 in 10 innings Saturday night at Dutchess Stadium. The victory allowed the Renegades to salvage one game of their three-game series with the Lake Monsters. As a result, Hudson Valley finishes its season-series with Vermont at 6-6.
The scoring started in the second inning as Vermont plated a run. With one out, second baseman Ryan Gridley and first baseman Hunter Hargrove each grounded singles into right to put runners at first and second. Shortstop Jesus Lage was hit with a pitch to load the bases, then centerfielder Mickey McDaonld grounded into a 4-6 fielder's choice to Gridley and give Vermont a 1-0 lead.
Things stayed that way until the sixth when Hudson Valley would tie the game. Shortstop Deion Tansel started the inning by getting hit with a pitch. He went to second on a balk, then headed to third on a groundout to second by designated hitter Brendan McKay. With a runner at third and one away, leftfielder Bill Pujols grounded into a 5-2 fielder's choice. Tansel was tagged out at the plate, and it appeared the Lake Monsters would get out of the inning unscathed. However, Rojas would steal second, then rightfielder Angel Perez laced a single to left to score Rojas and tie the game at one.
The contest remained tied all the way into the 10th inning when it appeared Vermont would final take control of the game. With one out, Hargorve doubled on a line drive to left. Third baseman Will Toffey followed Hargrove with a double of his own to right on a line to bring n Hargrove and up the score to 2-1. After a popup for out number two, second baseman Javier Godard roped a single into centerfield to score Toffey and make the score 3-1.
But terrible pitching would doom the Lake Monsters in the bottom of the 10th, as for the second time this week the Renegades overcame a two-run deficit in the 10th inning to get the win. The inning began with second baseman Justin Bridgman reaching base on an infield single to second. First baseman Matt Eureste followed that with a groundball single to center to move Bridgman to second. Third baseman Bill Pujols then moved the runners up on a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher Bryce Conley.
After the bunt, Vermont went to one of its closers, right-hander Jeferson Mejia, to try and finish the game. However, Mejia proceeded to walk catcher Zac Law to load the bases. He then walked centerfielder Carl Chester, McKay, and Tansel to end the game. The trio each drove in a run on the bases-loaded free passes to get the win.
The Renegades finished with eight hits, including two apiece by Law, Bridgman and Perez; all singles. Law and Bridgman scored once while Perez drove in a run. Vermont had six hits, including two from Hargove. One of his hits was a double.
Getting the win for Hudson Valley was Nick Padilla (3-2) even though the right-hander allowed the two go-ahead runs in the 10th inning on four hits. Mejia (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing the game-winning run on no hits. He walked all four men he faced.
Hudson Valley got another strong pitching performance from starting pitcher Drew Strotman. The right-hander allowed two hits and two earned runs with no walks and six strikeouts. Reliever Ivan Pelaez had another strong outing for the Renegades, tossing two hitless innings. He also walked one and struck out another.
Hudson Valley will now hit the road for a three-game series against the Lowell Spinners. First-pitch is at 5:35 Sunday. Soutpaw Resly Linares (2-2, 2.54 ERA) will be on the hill for Hudson Valley. Lowell has not announced its's rotation for the upcoming series. The Renegades return home on Wednesday to take on the Aberdeen Ironbirds in a two-game series, which will be the final homestand of the regular season. First-pitch for both of those games is set for 6:35. Tickets can be purchased online at hvrenegades.com or by calling the ticket office at 845-838-0094.
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