(June 22, 2022 – York, Pa.): The York Revolution paired a great start from Austin Nicely with an offense that clicked on Wednesday evening in a 6-1 victory over the Lancaster Barnstormers to even their midweek series at PeoplesBank Park.
York jumped ahead two batters into the bottom of the first against Lancaster starter Brooks Hall. Troy Stokes Jr. got things started with a two-strike single to center and scored on a line drive double to left field from Elmer Reyes for a quick 1-0 lead.
Jhon Nunez doubled the lead in the second inning when he ripped a single to right field to score JC Encarnacion who had led off the inning with a base hit and a steal. Nunez made his way to third base on an overrun in right field by LeDarious Clark as York held a 2-0 advantage.
The Revs added two big insurance runs in the sixth inning. Carlos Franco scored on a ground ball on which Jack Kenley beat out a potential double play. Kenley scored on a bloop single to right field from Stokes Jr. Nunez tried to score behind Kenley but was cut down at the plate on the throw from Clark, but not before the Revs extended the lead to 4-0.
The Barnstormers finally put a run across against Nicely with two outs in the seventh inning on a bloop single from Melvin Mercedes that fell between Kenley and Lien in shallow right field.
Nick Howard relieved Nicely and blew away Kelly Dugan with a fastball to end the inning.
Nicely (2-5) enjoyed one of his finest outings of the year to earn the win. Through 6.2 innings he allowed the lone run, while striking out five and walking just two, scattering seven hits.
The Revs gained some more padding with a two-out rally in their half of the seventh. Encarnacion laced his third triple of the year to right field scoring Lien. That was followed by an RBI single to center for Kenley, his second RBI of the night.
Howard stayed out for the eighth inning and made quick work of the Barnstormers as he struck out the side in order. His day ended after 1.1 innings, as he struck out all four batters faced, good for a season high.
Jim Fuller shut the door in the ninth to close out the 6-1 win.
The Revs will send Eduardo Rivera (4-1, 3.63) to the hill against Oscar De La Cruz (2-0, 5.22) for the rubber match on Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m. It is Jeep Night presented by Susquehanna Automotive and a Throwback Thursday (Renaissance). Tickets are on sale at YorkRevolution.com, (717) 801-HITS, and in-person at the Shipley Energy Ticket Office.
Notes: Franco extended his on-base streak to 36 consecutive games and is now nine shy of tying Nate Espy’s franchise record of 45 games set in 2007. The Revs saw their club record streak of 19 consecutive games with a homer come to an end; York bashed 35 homers on the streak. York improves to 6-9 in this season’s War of the Roses series. The Revs improve to 20-16 since May 13.
