The York Revolution trailed by six in game one and by four in game two, but after seeing their comeback effort fall just short in the opening contest, they completed the comeback effort on their second attempt, splitting a doubleheader with the New Britain Bees on Tuesday night at PeoplesBank Park, losing 7-6 and winning 6-4.
GAME 1:
The Bees scored a run in each of the first two innings against Luis Guzman in his Revolution debut, as he gave up an RBI single to Craig Maddox in the first, followed by a Mike Crouse line drive home run to left-center leading off the second.
However it was a big fifth inning that did the Revs in, as Guzman gave up a walk and a single to lead off the frame before giving way to Manny Corpas. After recording two outs, one being a sacrifice fly, Corpas struggled to close out the frame, giving up four straight hits, three of which produced runs, as the Bees sent ten men to the plate in the inning, scoring five. The frame was highlighted by back-to-back RBI doubles from Jovan Rosa and Maddox as New Britain pushed their lead to 7-1.
The Revs had scored a run in the fourth, piecing together the opportunity on a Travis Witherspoon single, advanced by an Alonzo Harris single, and brought home on an Isaias Tejeda double play ball to close within 2-1 at the time.
Trailing by six, the Revs battled back, scoring three in the sixth inning. Derik Capitillo led off with an infield hit, his first hit as a Rev, and advanced to second on a passed ball. He would then score on a Harris base hit to center. Tejeda was up next and launched his seventh home run of the season over the Arch Nemesis in left to bring the deficit to 7-4.
The Revs had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh. Jared Mitchell led off with a single and Carlos Triunfel reached on a fielder’s choice on a diving stop by Jovan Rosa at third, stealing a base hit. After a Capitillo single, Triunfel came around to score on a Witherspoon single to center. Capitillo scored on a Harris single as right fielder Jordan Hinshaw let the ball get behind him, cutting the score to 7-6. Harris’ third hit of the game put the tying run on base, but Bees reliever Nate Roe set down the final two hitters to end the threat.
GAME 2:
The Bees once again struck first, this time against Frank Gailey as Connor Bierfeldt walked to lead off the second, Crouse followed with a triple to the gap in right-center field to plate Bierfeldt, and Hinshaw grounded one through the hole on the left side to bring in Crouse from third. Later in the inning, Yusuke Kajimoto grounded out to short, bringing in Hinshaw and giving the Bees an early 3-0 lead.
New Britain would tack on another run in the third on a Crouse single to right to score Rosa who led off the inning with a single.
This time, however, the Revs would answer as in the bottom half of the inning Tejeda led off with a single and was followed by an Angel Franco walk. Tejeda surprised the Bees by stealing third with Ryan Dent at the plate, and later in the at-bat, Dent lined a single to center field which Crouse lost the handle on, as Tejeda scored easily from third and Franco scampered all the way around from first to cut the deficit in half, 4-2.
Then in the fifth, Harris and Tejeda worked back-to-back walks against Bees starter Brian Dupra to begin the frame, chasing him from the game. New Britain then turned to their bullpen and brought in Brandon Shimo who had previously not allowed a run in seven innings against the Revs this season. On the first pitch he threw, he allowed an inherited runner to score as Michael Burgess skied out to center field for a sacrifice fly, bringing home Harris who had stolen second and moved to third on a wild pitch. The next batter was Franco who lifted a towering drive out to right field for his third home run of the season, as the Revs jumped ahead 5-4 for their first lead of the game.
Triunfel added a little insurance in the sixth with an opposite field home run to right to extend the lead to 6-4.
Brad Allen slammed the door in the seventh with a 1-2-3 inning to record his seventh save of the season. Michael Click (1-0) picked up his first win of the year, striking out the only two batters he faced in relief of Gailey. Luke Westphal also struck out the side in the sixth, working around a one-out walk.
The Revs and Bees meet up again on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. when New Britain sends lefty Anthony Marzi (3-4, 3.21) to the hill to face off with York righty Victor Mateo (2-4, 3.39). Join the Revs for LGBTQ Pride Night as well as PeoplesBank Kids Eat Free Wednesday at the ballpark. Tickets can be purchased by visiting YorkRevolution.com, the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office, or by calling 717-801-HITS.
Darrell Henry and Matt Present will have the call beginning at 6:10 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 WOYK, as well as online at woyk1350.com, YorkRevsTV.com, and on the WOYK App.
NOTES: Mark Mason was ejected in the third inning of game two for arguing balls and strikes after visiting Gailey on the mound. It was the first time a Rev has been ejected this season. The four-run comeback win matched the largest of the season, the first coming against Sugar Land on May 27th. The Revs have now scored 22 runs over their last three games after scoring just 21 over their previous seven. The win in game two also snapped a six-game losing streak to the Bees, the longest against any opponent this season.
