(May 20, 2022 – York, Pa.): Jorge Martinez dazzled through seven shutout innings as the York Revolution edged the Lexington Legends, 2-1 on Friday night at PeoplesBank Park.
York welcomed the defending league champions for their only visit this season, and despite a torrential downpour during the afternoon, the game went on time under pleasant evening conditions as the Revs were able to pick up a huge win for their third straight series opening victory.
The star of the show was Martinez. After a gem last weekend against Lancaster, he shut down Lexington for seven scoreless innings becoming the first Revs starter this season with double digit strikeouts, and the first to reach 11 since Ross Detwiler in 2018. Martinez (2-2) yielded just four hits without a walk.
The Revs were held quiet by opposing starter J.J. Hoover through the first four innings, but finally forced some trouble in the fifth, walking three times against Hoover, the third being Nellie Rodriguez for a league-leading 25th time. That scored Lenin Rodriguez who was plunked to start the inning.
Two innings later, the Revs strung together three straight hits to start the inning against reliever Jalen Miller, starting with a leadoff Elmer Reyes double. After a passed ball advanced Reyes to third, with the infield in, Melky Mesa poked a single up the middle to score Reyes on his 22nd RBI of the season extending the lead to 2-0.
Adrian Almeida relieved Martinez in the eighth, striking out two in another scoreless outing. For Almeida, it was his 10th consecutive scoreless appearance.
Jim Fuller entered with a 2-0 lead in the ninth looking for his fourth save of the season. The lefty closer was greeted by Courtney Hawkins who launched his league-leading 11th home run over the Arch Nemesis to cut the lead to 2-1. After the next two batters reached, Lexington attempted a sacrifice bunt with Blake Swihart at the plate, but it was popped up and caught by a sliding Lenin Rodriguez from his catching position. On the next pitch, Fuller induced a tailor-made double play to second base to end the ballgame. For Fuller, it was Revs career save number 33, tying him with Rommie Lewis for second in team history.
The Revs will look for the series win on Saturday night when Nick Travieso takes the hill, squaring off with Daniel Corcino at 6:30 p.m. It is Salute to Military Service and Jersey Auction presented by Community Progress Council. Tickets are on sale at YorkRevolution.com, (717) 801-HITS, and in-person at the Shipley Energy Ticket Office.
Notes: Martinez’ 11 strike outs are the most by any Atlantic League pitcher in a game this season. It ties the fourth most in a game in team history, two off the record, and marks the 10th time a Revs pitcher has struck out at least 11. It is just the sixth time that a Revs pitcher has fanned 11 without issuing a walk as Martinez becomes the fifth pitcher in franchise history to do so, joining Ryan Baerlocher (twice in 2007), Chris Cody (2013), Jay Gause (2017), and Detwiler (2018).
