(August 3, 2022 – York, Pa.): The York Revolution was once again bitten by a big inning and a plethora of strikeouts on Wednesday as the Lancaster Barnstormers clinched a series victory with a 5-3 win at PeoplesBank Park. The loss is the season-high fifth straight for the Revs while the Barnstormers have now won a season-best five in-a-row.
The Barnstormers tagged York starter Jorge Martinez early for a four-run first inning. The first three hitters reached via a walk and two singles including an RBI knock from Andretty Cordero to open the scoring. Three batters later, Ariel Sandoval hit an inside out jam shot to the right side that snuck through and scored two more. Catcher Chris Proctor drove in one more on a groundout, giving starter Oscar De La Cruz an early 4-0 cushion.
After going down in order in the first, the Revs got on the board as Telvin Nash led off the second with another blast to left, his seventh home run in just 15 games this season in his return to York. Fresh off becoming the first in franchise history to reach 100 home runs the night before, Nash is now two away from joining the top 10 in league history.
Lancaster plated one more in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly error off the bat of Trayvon Robinson. Melky Mesa chased the ball to the track in left field but was unable to make the catch as the play scored Cordero who had started the inning with a double.
The Revs had a big chance in the third inning, loading the bases with one out, but De La Cruz bore down, retiring the next two he faced to avoid any damage.
De La Cruz (6-1) was phenomenal for the rest of the evening, retiring 11 of the last 13 he faced. His night finished after six strong innings, striking out eight while allowing just 5 hits. He exited in position for the win, holding a 5-1 lead.
Nick Green pitched the top of the sixth for York and tightroped out of danger. He walked the bases loaded but struck out Cordero to end the inning.
Carlos Ventura used a double play grounder to retire the side in order in the seventh, keeping the deficit at four.
Tuck Tucker pitched the top of the eighth for York, allowing a leadoff double but retiring the next three he faced to complete his 12th scoreless appearance in 14 chances since debuting in York. It wasn’t without controversy as he initially retired Shawon Dunston Jr on a groundout to end the inning, but a ball had rolled into play from the Barnstormers bullpen. Despite time not being called until the ball was in play, Dunston Jr was granted a second chance. Tucker was unphased, getting Dunston to fly out to center on the next pitch to end the frame.
Roniel Raudes tossed a scoreless ninth inning for his fifth scoreless appearance in six outings with York.
The Revs tried to mount a comeback in the ninth against closer West Tunnell who entered in a non-save situation. After Mesa led off with an infield single, Connor Lien got the Revs back in the run column, blasting a two-run homer to left center to bring the deficit to two. Tunnell responded by retiring the next two he faced including a strikeout to end it, shutting down the 5-3 final. The Revs struck out 13 times as a team in the loss.
York has now dropped a season high five straight and will try to avoid the sweep on Thursday as Austin Nicely takes the mound against Erik Manoah, getting underway at 6:30 p.m. It is a Throwback Thursday (60s) and Shipley Energy Night. Tickets are on sale at YorkRevolution.com, (717) 801-HITS, and in-person at the Shipley Energy Ticket Office.
