(July 29, 2023 – Lexington, KY): The York Revolution offense went off in the nightcap as the Revs pounded the Lexington Counter Clocks 11-2 on Saturday night at Counter Clocks Field. The big attack followed a 6-2 loss in the opener as the Revs took the split, improving to 49-32 on the season and 12-6 in the second half, good for first place in the North Division.
Troy Stokes Jr. opened the scoring in the nightcap in the top of the first inning, belting a solo homer to left for a quick 1-0 lead. It was his 15th of the season and 99th of his pro career.
York starter Pedro Vasquez bounced back after going just one inning in his previous start, sailing through the first three innings scoreless.
Lexington induced a balk from Vasquez on a second disengagement with two outs in the fourth putting runners at second and third, and Jesus Tavarez capitalized with a two-run single up the middle, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead.
York responded immediately in the fifth as Stokes Jr. hustled out an infield hit to keep the inning alive, and Drew Mendoza walked. The Revs took full advantage as Trey Martin slammed a go-ahead three-run homer to right center for a 4-2 lead on his career-high 11th long ball of the season.
The Revs went off in the sixth, scoring seven times to blow it open. Trent Giambrone and Jacob Rhinesmith singled home runs. Mendoza placed a two-run bloop double along the left field line, and Nellie Rodriguez lined a three-run homer to left, the 65th of his Revs career, moving within one of tying Andres Perez for third all-time. It marked the Revs’ sixth inning of seven runs or more this season as the lead ballooned to 11-2.
J.P. Woodward and Ben Dum handled the final two innings scoreless out of the Revs bullpen.
Vasquez (5-1) earned the win, allowing just two runs on three hits over five strong innings.
The Revs bounced back after trailing throughout the opener, despite a strong start from J.T. Hintzen (7-4) who saw his seven-game winning streak halted, two shy of a club record and tied for the third-longest in franchise history.
York played as the home team in the opener as the game was a makeup from a rainout in York on July 9.
Lexington struck first in the top of the second as Chris Brady barely stayed alive on a foul tip before lining an RBI triple to right that just glanced off the glove of Martin who made a sliding effort.
The Counter Clocks added an unearned run in the fifth as Brady reached on an error and scored on Brandt Broussard’s double to right center to make it 2-0.
Giambrone slugged a homer to left in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to 2-1 on his 17th of the year.
Lexington kept York at a distance, responding with two runs in the sixth off reliever Will McAffer who lost a five-appearance scoreless streak. JC Encarnacion had the big hit with an RBI triple to right center and scored when Logan Brown bounced a single through a drawn-in infield to make it 4-1.
Martin doubled with one out in the bottom of the sixth to chase Lexington starter Yeudy Garcia (4-7) and after stealing third for his league-leading 32nd swiped bag, scored on Rodriguez’ pinch-hit single to left, bringing the Revs within 4-2.
Lexington tacked on two more (one earned) in the seventh against righty Emilker Guzman who made his debut after signing earlier in the day, scoring on a Connor Owings single and a sac fly by Encarnacion.
The Clocks had their leadoff hitter reach in four of the seven innings and went on to score all six of their runs in those innings.
The Revs are now 3-3 on their western swing having taken two of the first three in Lexington and will go for the series win on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. with Andrew Cabezas (1-0, 3.13) facing lefty Mike Kickham (1-4, 10.80). Revs fans can catch the action live on SportsRadio 98.9 FM & 1350 WOYK, 989woyk.com, The New WOYK app, and FloBaseball.TV beginning at 1:45 p.m. with Darrell Henry on the call.
Notes: Martin has reached safely in 24 consecutive games, the seventh-longest streak in the league this season and the second-longest active streak. The Revs had three players cross the 60-RBI mark in Saturday’s doubleheader with Stokes Jr. extending his total to a team-leading 62 (sixth-most in league), Mendoza reaching 61, and Giambrone notching his 60th.
Roster Moves: York signed RHP Emilker Guzman on Saturday; the reliever spent six years in the Los Angeles Angels organization, posting a 2.97 career ERA including a 3.75 mark in 26 outings with High-A Tri-City this season. York also activated Vasquez to make Saturday’s start and placed starters Carlos Espinal and Tom Sutera on the temporary inactive list.
CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORES & PLAY-BY-PLAY
CLICK HERE FOR WOYK AUDIO HIGHLIGHTS
CLICK HERE FOR FULL GAME ONE BROADCAST
CLICK HERE FOR FULL GAME TWO BROADCAST
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO NEXT HOME GAME (FRIDAY VS. SPIRE CITY)