(May 11, 2022 – Staten Island, NY): Austin Nicely tossed a gem in his fourth start of the season but the York Revolution dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to the Staten Island FerryHawks on Wednesday evening at Community Park.
Nicely carried a three-hit shutout into the bottom of the eighth with the Revs leading 1-0. After retiring Joseph Monge on a comebacker, Nicely walked Zach Racusin which prompted his exit after 101 pitches. Reliever Alberto Rodriguez entered and uncorked an errant pickoff throw advancing the tying run to second. Rodriguez bounced back to strike out Ben Ruta looking, but walked Angel Aguilar which brought Kacy Clemens to the plate. Clemens tied the game with an RBI single to right field, and Aguilar later scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch from lefty reliever Adrian Almeida.
York’s offense was unable to add to an early lead, going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position on the night.
The Revs’ lone run came in the top of the first inning. Troy Stokes Jr. led off the game with a free pass and Elmer Reyes singled to left. A double steal helped set the table as Carlos Franco brought home Stokes Jr. on a fielder’s choice for an early 1-0 lead.
York stranded eight runners on the night, however, as the Revs were denied in their bid for their first 1-0 victory since the 2018 season.
Nicely allowed just one run on three hits in 7.1 innings, walking three and striking out six.
FerryHawks starter Matt Solter was also excellent, holding the Revs to one run on six hits over his seven innings as both starters took no-decisions.
Anthony Auletta (1-0) picked up the win for Staten Island in his debut, striking out pinch-hitter JC Encarnacion to end the top of the eighth with Melky Mesa stranded at third.
Rodriguez (1-1) suffered the loss, while former Revs righty Victor Capellan struck out the final two in a perfect ninth inning to pick up his second save.
The Revs out-hit the FerryHawks 7-4 despite the loss.
York will look to avoid the sweep on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. as RHP Merandy Gonzalez makes his Revs debut, opposite Staten Island southpaw Anthony Rodriguez. 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 6:10 p.m. with Darrell Henry on the call.
