Pizza Rats Win Their Debut 4-2 Over the Ironbirds!

STATEN ISLAND - After struggling to score runs over the last two games as the Staten Island Yankees, the Staten Island Pizza Rats introduced themselves to the New York Penn League with a bang, doubling up the Aberdeen IronBirds 4-2, thanks to a big four-run, fifth-inning rally at Richmond County Bank Ballpark on Friday night.
After scoring only two runs over the first two games of the series, Staten Island, playing as the Pizza Rats as the will for each of the five 2018 Saturday home games, doubled that scoring total in the fifth frame alone, thanks to a pair of clutch hits by Canaan Smith and Andres Chaparro.
Down 2-0, Staten Island loaded the bases in that inning thanks to walks by Frederick Cuevas, Alex Junior, and Kyle Gray. Smith then came to the plate, and with two outs, laced a two-two pitch from IronBirds right-hander Juan Echeverria into right field, bringing home Cuevas and Junior to tie the game.
The deadlock did not last long, as two pitches later, Chaparro drilled a double into left field, scoring Gray and Smith to put the Pizza Rats on top by the eventual final score of 4-2.
Getting the start for Staten Island was Shawn Semple, who struck out four while allowing two runs (one earned) off of seven hits over four innings. Relieving him was fellow right-hander Garrett Mundell, who earned the win (1-1), striking out three while facing the minimum of nine batters through three frames. He was followed by Christian Morris, who finished out the game with two perfect innings en route to his first career save.
The Staten Island Yankees will return to action tomorrow, hosting the Tri-City ValleyCats at 4:00 p.m. Getting the start for the Yankees will be Roansy Contreras, with Luis Garcia on the mound for the ValleyCats.