After losing five straight, the York Revolution were in need of a spark. Trailing 4-0 in the sixth, they got just that, as Joel Guzman launched a moonshot onto Arch Street, triggering a 5-4 comeback win over the Sugar Land Skeeters in front of a raucous crowd of 3,793 at PeoplesBank Park.
It was a pitchers’ duel early, as the two teams combined for just three hits in a scoreless five innings to begin the night with the Revs’ Steve Janas and the Skeeters’ Josh Outman matching each other pitch for pitch.
Sugar Land broke the seal in the sixth inning, as Anthony Giansanti and Andy Wilkins clubbed back-to-back jacks to open the frame, with Wilkins’ homer landing on top of the Revs’ right field clubhouse. The Skeeters chased Janas from the game a batter later after an infield single, and then after notching the first two outs of the inning, Michael Click was touched for the third home run of the inning, a two-run shot off the bat of Albert Cordero.
In the midst of a drought, the 4-0 deficit seemed deflating. Instead, the Revs responded immediately, as Angel Franco slashed a one out double down the line in left in the bottom half of the inning, setting up the Guzman long ball, his third of the season.
The Revs still trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth when Ryan Dent led off the inning with a single, stole second, and made it to third on a fly ball off the bat of Franco that Wilkins dropped in left. A batter later, Travis Witherspoon hit a sharp grounder to third that Kevin Ahrens booted, allowing Dent to come in to score. With two outs, Bryan Pounds hit a hard grounder deep in the hole at short, and Ryan Jackson threw low to first, allowing Franco to touch home to tie the game. The next batter was Luis Cruz who was making his home debut. With the bases loaded, Cruz worked a game-winning walk from reliever Dustin Richardson to complete the comeback.
Jarret Martin sealed it for York, striking out the side in the ninth to earn his second save of the season. It was the 11th consecutive scoreless appearance for Martin, who followed up Brad Allen and Chase Huchingson (2-0) out of the bullpen, as the setup duo worked a scoreless seventh and eighth inning, respectively.
The two teams will meet again Sunday at 1 p.m. in the rubber game of the three-game series. Victor Mateo (0-4, 4.59) will go for the Revs, opposed by Sugar Land’s Brett Marshall (4-2, 6.41). Darrell Henry and Matt Present will be on the air at 12:40 p.m. from PeoplesBank Park on SportsRadio 1350 WOYK, as well as online at woyk1350.com, YorkRevsTV.com, and on the WOYK App.
Sunday is Salute to Veterans Day featuring an appearance by veteran and four-time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier. All veterans get free tickets. It’s also Dollar Dog Day courtesy of Hatfield Quality Meats. The afternoon also features Pregame Autographs, Catch on the Field, and Postgame Kids Run the Bases. For tickets call 717-801-HITS or visit yorkrevolution.com or the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office.
