Carlos Asuaje went 4-4 in Y-D?s loss to Orleans Saturday night at Red Wilson Field.
By: Corey Burns
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox fell to 10-10 on the season after blowing a ninth inning lead to the Orleans Firebirds, losing 4-3 at Red Wilson Field Saturday evening.
The game featured a combined total of 27 hits with both teams squandering opportunities to pile on runs. The Red Sox had their chances but left six men in scoring position throughout the game. The Firebirds stranded seven runners of their own but were able to squeeze in a couple runs when it mattered to end their three-game losing streak.
Both starting pitchers had a rough day on the mound and accounted for 18 of those hits. It was the battle of two bullpens, both pitched extremely well, but only one could earn the victory.
Alex Gonzalez, from Oral Roberts, started on the mound for the Red Sox allowing 11 hits and two earned runs over five innings. Gonzalez got out of some tough jams including a bases loaded situation with no out in the second and a strike him-out-throw-him-out double play to end the third, but was still in line to pick up his second straight win going into the ninth.
Indiana?s Joey Denato relieved Gonzalez in the sixth and threw three scoreless innings allowing just two hits while striking out four. Bryan Verbitsky, who was 1-0 with a 1.04 with 15 strikeouts over 8.2 innings pitched, came in the ninth inning for the save.
Verbitsky started out strong striking out pinch hitter Kevin Brown for one down in the ninth. Verbitsky then gave up three consecutive singles, the third to Orleans slugger, Conrad Gregor, that drove in the tying run to blow the save opportunity. The next batter, Reed Gregnani, hit a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in the eventual game-winning run and handing Verbitsky his first loss of the season.
University of Maryland?s Jimmy Reed started on the rubber for the Firebirds and was on the hook for his first loss of the season after pitching three innings allowing seven hits and two earned runs. Reed, who ended up with a no decision, was relieved by Dylan Clark after allowing a single and a walk in the top of the fourth, exiting with Y-D ahead 3-2.
Clark came in with a 2-0 record and a 0.64 earned run average with 14 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched. He continued his pitching dominance throwing five shut out innings allowing just three hits and struck out the side in order in the bottom of the fifth.
Clark?s performance allowed Kyle Crockett of Virginia to earn his second save of the season allowing one hit and striking out one in the home half of the ninth.
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox are back in action trying to avoid a three game skid Sunday night in Chatham.
