The York Revolution dropped their second straight, falling to the New Britain Bees, 7-2 on Friday night in front of 3,576 fans at PeoplesBank Park. York slips to 20-15 in the second half, still just one game behind Lancaster for first place in the Freedom Division.
The Bees struck immediately as James Skelton led off the game with an opposite field home run over the Arch Nemesis in left, just the second time this season that an opponent led off a game with a long ball. Revs starter Frank Gailey gave up a walk to Mike Crouse, and Jovan Rosa followed with an RBI double down the line in left to make it 2-0. Two batters later, Jon Griffin came through with a single to left to bring in Rosa and push the lead to 3-0. Following a mound visit from pitching coach Paul Fletcher, Gailey rolled a double play ball to end the inning.
The Revs answered in the home half of the first. With two outs, Isaias Tejeda reached on an error by Rosa at first on an errant flip to pitcher Greg Nappo covering on a ground ball. Telvin Nash followed with a home run to left, his fifth of the season, and 33rd career home run with York to make it 3-2.
The Bees would get those runs right back, loading the bases in the second for Crouse who doubled off the top of the Arch Nemesis in left to score two, and return the lead to three for the Bees at 5-2.
Neither team would score until the seventh as both starters settled in.
Gailey (9-9) did not allow a hit after the second inning, working six full and striking out four. He received help from centerfielder Travis Witherspoon who went airborne to make a diving grab to rob Rosa in the fourth, stranding a runner.
Nappo (2-1) did not allow an earned run in his six frames, striking out a season-high eight while walking just one and picking up the win, his second straight against York.
The Bees tacked on a couple of insurance runs in the latter innings. With two outs in the seventh, Griffin bounced a ball through the left side for a single, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch on the same play, and came home to score on a single by Craig Maddox to make it 6-2. In the ninth, Griffin worked a one-out walk and Maddox came through again with a double to deep right-center to push the New Britain advantage to 7-2.
Chase Simpson led off the home ninth with a double to left-center, but Brandon League set down the next three to finish off the game.
The four-game series continues Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. when York’s Steve Janas (3-5, 4.61) and New Britain’s Brian Dupra (3-8, 6.57) face off in game three. It’s Wedding Night presented by First Capital Federal Credit Union. There will also be Post-game inside-the-park fireworks, as well as $5 youth tickets. Use the promo code "revsyouth" for this great deal in honor of International Youth Day. Visit yorkrevolution.com, the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office or call 717-801-HITS.
Darrell Henry and Matt Present will be on the air at 6:10 p.m. on 1350 WOYK as well as online at woyk1350.com, the WOYK YouTube channel and on the WOYK App.
NOTES: The Revs fall to 7-12 against the Bees this season, including 1-8 at PeoplesBank Park. The Revs fall to 8-37 on the year when scoring three runs or fewer. Telvin Nash’s 33 career home runs are the 11th most all-time by a Rev. The five runs were Gailey’s most allowed since June 27, having held opponents to three runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts (2.49 ERA).
