(June 25, 2018) – Jose Cuevas clobbered a two-run homer as part of a four-run eighth inning, as the York Revolution won their series opener, 4-1 over the Long Island Ducks on Monday night at Bethpage Ballpark.
Down 1-0 and limited to just three hits through seven innings by Ducks starter John Brownell, the Revs rallied against the Long Island bullpen in the eighth.
Luis Cruz greeted righty Dennis O'Grady with a single to left field, setting the stage for Cuevas who launched an 0-1 offering high and deep over the wall in left field for a go-ahead two-run homer, lifting the Revs to a 2-1 lead.
Ryan Dent kept it going with a single to left and stole second, before advancing to third on a strike out wild pitch. Lefty reliever Wander Perez induced a double play grounder with the infield in, but walked Jared Mitchell to extend the inning, and Welington Dotel capitalized with a two-run double to the gap in right-center, giving the Revs a cushion at 4-1.
York starter Mitch Atkins (4-3) was outstanding, earning his fourth consecutive victory. The righty limited the Ducks to one run on six hits over a season high-tying seven frames, while striking out six and walking only one.
Luke Westphal stranded a pair of runners in a scoreless eighth, and Grant Sides retired the side in order in the ninth, striking out a pair to notch his fifth save.
Long Island grabbed the early edge on a solo homer to right by Emilio Bonifacio in the bottom of the first. It could have potentially done more damage, but Mitchell threw out Jordany Valdespin from right field, attempting to stretch a leadoff single into a double.
Atkins allowed very little the rest of the night. He struck out the side in the fifth, stranded two runners in the sixth, and finished with a 1-2-3 seventh as David Washington was thrown out by Cruz attempting to steal third after a leadoff walk, keeping it a one-run game.
Notes: The comeback win is the tenth of the season for the Revs, and their third when trailing after seven innings of play. Cuevas' clutch homer snapped a personal 0-for-19 drought; his last two hits have both left the park. Atkins struck out six or more for the sixth consecutive start. Westphal logged his tenth consecutive scoreless appearance. York lefty Pat McCoy (1-2, 3.03) faces Long Island right-hander Lee Sosa (0-0, 2.16) in Tuesday's contest at 6:35 p.m. Revs fans can catch the action live on SportsRadio 1350, woyk1350.com, The New WOYK app, and WOYK 1350 on YouTube beginning at 6:15 p.m. with Darrell Henry on the call.
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