(July 15, 2018) -- Mitch Atkins dominated over seven innings and led the York Revolution to a 2-1 win over the Long Island Ducks on Sunday afternoon at PeoplesBank Park. After winning two of three in the series, the Revs improve to 4-2 in the second half, sitting in sole possession of first place in the Freedom Division.
Jared Mitchell doubled to left-center field to set the tone for the Revs, leading off the bottom of the first inning. Alexi Casilla dropped down a bunt in front of Ducks starter Tyler Badamo, who fielded and threw wide to first base and into right field, allowing Mitchell to score to give the Revs a 1-0 lead on an unearned run.
Atkins was locked in early and retired 11 of the first 12 batters he faced including 10 in-a-row at one point, holding the Ducks scoreless through the first six innings to preserve the Revs' 1-0 lead.
The Revs pushed across an insurance run off Badamo (3-6) to go up 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth on Michael Burgess’ two-out RBI double off the base of the wall in left-center, scoring Melky Mesa from first base. Mesa reached on an error by Ducks third baseman Taylor Ard on the previous play, as both of York's runs were unearned.
Atkins came back out for the seventh inning and allowed a leadoff solo home run to center field by David Washington, making it a 2-1 game. The homer ended Atkins’ 15.1-inning scoreless streak. Atkins worked out of the inning allowing just one run by getting Jordany Valdespin to strike out swinging with a man on second to end the threat.
Atkins (7-3) worked seven strong innings, allowing just one run on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk, earning his seventh straight win.
Junior Rincon came out of the bullpen for the eighth inning and worked around a one-out walk to hold the Revs’ 2-1 lead.
Grant Sides was called on for the ninth and got a double play ball off the bat of Ramon Cabrera to erase a leadoff walk. He followed that by striking out Anthony Vega on three pitches to end the game and pick up his eighth save of the season.
Notes: Atkins’ 15.1-inning scoreless streak is the second-longest scoreless streak by a Revs’ pitcher this season, behind Zac Grotz’ 21.2-inning streak. Atkins now leads the Atlantic League with seven wins. Atkins is 7-0 in his last seven starts and has allowed just 11 runs in 47.0 IP (2.11 ERA) during that span. His seven-game winning streak matches Corey Thurman (2011) for the second-longest in franchise history, one shy of Thurman's franchise record of eight consecutive wins set in 2012. The Revs even the season series with the Ducks at five wins apiece.
Up Next: The Revs have an off day on Monday before opening a four-game, three-day series with the Barnstormers on Tuesday in Lancaster. The series kicks off with a twi-night doubleheader on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Revs fans can catch the action live on SportsRadio 1350, woyk1350.com, The New WOYK app, & WOYK 1350 on YouTube beginning at 5:55 p.m. with Darrell Henry and Michael Marcantonini on the call.
Story by Michael Marcantonini
Broadcaster/Media Relations Asst.
