(May 21, 2022 – York, Pa.): The York Revolution made it back-to-back victories on Saturday night with a powerful offensive onslaught, launching four home runs in an 11-5 win over the Lexington Legends at PeoplesBank Park.
Lexington got the scoring started just two batters in, with Tillman Pugh driving his sixth home run of the year into left center field.
The Revs answered back for two of their own in the bottom half on just one hit, with runs scoring on a fielder’s choice from Melky Mesa, and another as Josue Herrera beat out a potential inning-ending double play for an early 2-1 lead.
Nick Travieso went out to begin the second inning, striking out the leadoff hitter Jose Briceno before leaving with an apparent lower body injury. He was relieved by Isaac Sanchez who struck out Blake Swihart before allowing a home run to left-center by shortstop Ryan Jackson to even the game at 2-2.
York wouldn’t be held down for long, as in the fourth inning, Nellie Rodriguez unloaded on his third home run of the year, a towering two-run blast to dead center field, traveling 437 feet, and making it a 4-2 game.
In the fifth, the Revs loaded bases with two outs and Herrera made his final at-bat count, launching a grand slam onto the tents in right field to blow the lead open to 8-2. Herrera would exit the ballgame afterwards as with the double hook rule, the Revs were able to only keep their DH through the fifth inning. For Herrera it was his second longball of the season, going out on Saturday night with a bang.
In the sixth, the Revs took advantage of a Lexington mistake to generate a two-out rally. Troy Stokes Jr.’s fly ball was not seen by an outfielder and dropped in for a hit in right center field. Two batters later, Mesa scored him with a base hit up the middle to go up 9-2.
Robinson Parra (2-0) was the big key in relief, as he threw three hitless innings allowing just one walk and striking out three, and in turn earning his second win of the season.
The Revs delivered their final blows with two more solo home runs in the eighth. Stokes Jr. led off the inning with his fourth of the year on a shot to right-center, and Rodriguez added his second of the night and third in the last three games, also on a blast to right-center.
Duke Von Schamann finished things off, allowing a two-out solo homer to right by Manual Geraldo but retiring the other three hitters, closing out an 11-5 Revs win.
York has now won two of its last three series and will go for the sweep when Eduardo Rivera takes the mound at 2 p.m. on Sunday, opposite Legends lefty Thomas Dorminy. It is Superheroes Assemble, Kids T-Shirt Giveaway presented by Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, Boomer’s Book Club, Rookie Revs Meet-N-Greet, Sunday Funday presented by Weis Markets, and Bark in the Park. Tickets are on sale at YorkRevolution.com, (717) 801-HITS, and in-person at the Shipley Energy Ticket Office.
Notes: The Revs are 5-3 in their last eight games and 3-2 on the current homestand. York’s four home runs established a season-high for the offense. Rodriguez’ two-homer game is the first of his Revs career and the third by a Revs batter this season, as Carlos Franco and Stokes Jr. previously accomplished the feat. Rodriguez’ two-homer game was the ninth of his pro career and first since August 20, 2018 with Double-A Akron (at Erie). Herrera’s grand slam is the second of his Revs career and the second by a Revs batter this season (Mesa, last Saturday at Lancaster). Herrera’s five RBI tie a season-high for a Revs batter and establish a Revs career-best while tying his overall career best, previously accomplished twice in 2019 while in the Baltimore Orioles farm system. The win is the 559th in the Revs career of manager Mark Mason, sixth-most in Atlantic League history; he is now 12 wins shy of matching Kevin Baez (571) for fifth and 13 shy of tying Willie Upshaw (572) for fourth on the league’s all-time list.
