Entering the opening home series, the York Revolution had not scored a run in the first inning of play. Last night York exploded for five in the first frame, and on Saturday night they got two more in the opening inning, and went on to defeat the Somerset Patriots, 4-2 on Saturday evening at PeoplesBank Park. The win is the third straight for the Revs who improve to 2-0 at home, and go for the sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Revs (4-4) loaded the bases in the home half of the first with an Alonzo Harris walk, a Jared Mitchell single, and a Joel Guzman hit by pitch, setting up a Michael Burgess sac fly for the first run. Then with two away, Bryan Pounds came through, driving a double to the gap in right center, as it hopped over the wall to give the Revs the 2-0 advantage. Pounds had two hits on the evening, and now has hit safely in three straight games. It was also his 204th career start at third base, tying Ramon Castro for the Revs’ all-time lead.
York manufactured a run in the second inning when Travis Witherspoon led off with a double, and then was bunted to third by Derrick Robinson before being brought home on a sacrifice fly by Harris. Witherspoon recorded his first multi-hit game of the season with a double in the second and a single in the fourth.
“It’s just us putting together some good at-bats and it starts with the pitching staff,” said Witherspoon after the game. “They do a great job keeping us in the game, and tonight we got a real good one.”
Logan Williamson gave the Revs a solid outing on the hill, allowing just two baserunners: a walk to Aharon Eggleston in the third and a solo home run in the fifth by Jerry Sands who finished with a three hit night. Williamson, however, left the game with an apparent calf injury after 4.1 innings of work.
Once again the Revs relievers took care of business in the latter stages, combining to allow just one run over the final 4.2 innings. Hawtin Buchanan (1-0) picked up the victory, working a three-up, three-down eighth with two strikeouts. Buchanan has now retired all nine batters he has faced this season, including five strikeouts.
Curtis Partch earned the save, his first of the season, allowing two hits and a run but inducing three ground balls to finish off the win.
York added an insurance run in the seventh on a Mitchell sac fly, plating Robinson who led off with a double and stole third.
The Revs will send right-hander Victor Mateo (0-1, 1.80) to the mound to face Somerset righty Lucas Irvine (0-0, 3.85) in Sunday’s tilt. It’s Bark in the Park Day at PeoplesBank Park, presented by Pennsylvania Veterinary Foundation. Fans can bring their four-legged Revs fans, and meet new friends from the York SPCA. It’s also a Dollar Dog Day courtesy of Hatfield Quality Meats, Pregame Autographs and Catch on the Field, and Postgame Kids Run the Bases. Tickets are on sale at YorkRevolution.com, (717) 801-HITS, and in-person at the Apple Chevrolet Ticket Office. Darrell Henry and Matt Present will be on the air with the broadcast beginning at 12:40 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 WOYK, online at woyk1350.com and YorkRevsTV.com, and on the WOYK app.