(June 29, 2021 – High Point, NC): Andrew Dundon’s two-out pinch-hit RBI double in the top of the ninth inning lifted the York Revolution to a back-and-forth, 5-4 victory in the series opener against the High Point Rockers on Tuesday evening at Truist Point. The much-needed victory snapped a four-game slide for the Revs who pick up their third last-at-bat victory of the season.
The ninth inning lead was the third separate lead of the night for the Revs who finally made it stand up for their sixth come-from-behind win of the year.
York struck first in the top of the third inning as Tyler Hill led off with a single to left and moved to third on Walner Espinal’s double to deep left-center, setting up James Harris’ RBI ground out to second for a 1-0 lead.
Revs starter Duke von Schamann cruised early, but High Point tied the game in the fifth as Adam Taylor led off with a triple to right-center and came home on Michael Gulino’s bloop single to left. A two-base error put runners at second and third with no outs, but von Schamann escaped with no further damage thanks to a trio of big ground outs against the top of the Rockers order.
High Point took the lead an inning later as Jerry Downs reached on a leadoff double lost in the twilight and Taylor and Gulino provided a pair of sac flies to give the Rockers a 3-1 lead.
The Revs stormed right back in the seventh as Hill worked a leadoff walk and Harris cracked a one-out RBI double down the right field line, pulling York back within a run. Darian Sandford dropped down a clutch bunt single, and Yan Sanchez tied the game on a sacrifice fly to right. Sandford went first-to-third on Carlos Castro’s single to left, setting up the go-ahead run when Sandford raced home on a wild pitch for a 4-3 lead.
Stuart Levy tied it one last time for High Point in the bottom of the eighth on a leadoff home run to left-center.
With the game tied at 4-4, Sandford was again a spark in the ninth drawing a leadoff walk and stealing second on the first opportunity. After taking third on a wild pitch with one out, Sandford came home on Dundon’s drive to the gap with two outs, providing the winning tally.
Jim Fuller nailed down his sixth save, striking out Downs to end it with the tying run on first.
The Revs and Rockers meet for a 12:05 p.m. matinee on Wednesday as York lefty Austin Nicely (2-2, 4.40) goes up against High Point right-hander Tommy Lawrence (1-0, 1.50). Revs fans can catch the action live on SportsRadio 98.9 FM, 1350 WOYK, 989woyk.com, The New WOYK app, and the WOYK YouTube channel beginning at noon with Darrell Henry on the call.