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| Mitch Talbot (Photo: MiLB.com) |
A four-run eighth inning and a tremendous pitching performance by Mitch Talbot lifted the Clippers to a 4-1 victory, evening the 2011 Governors' Cup Final at 1-1.
After four innings of scoreless baseball, Lehigh Valley put the first run of the contest on the scoreboard on a Tagg Bozied solo homer to lead off the top of the fifth.
The Clippers tried to come back in the bottom of the 5th. Chad Huffman and Nick Johnson led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Juan Diaz then lay down a successful sacrifice bunt down the third base line, allowing both runners to get into scoring position. The next batter, Luke Carlin, flew out to shallow centerfield without either runner advancing. It left it all up to Argenis Reyes, who grounded out to first, wasting a golden scoring opportunity for Columbus.
The Clippers would finally get on the board in the bottom of the 8th. Juan Diaz led off the frame with a bloop single to center. After a Luke Carlin strikeout, Argenis Reyes lined a 2-2 pitch down the right field line for a double, putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. After Lehigh Valley brought in left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski, Jerad Head was intentionally walked, loading the bases with one out. It brought Travis Buck to the plate and Buck put the ball in play with a fly ball to left field that was deep enough for Diaz to score from third, tying the contest 1-1. The next batter, Jared Goedert, hit a grounder that Iron Pigs shortstop Freddy Galvis stopped, but could not attempt a throw to any base, reloading the bases with two outs. While Beau Mills was batting, Zagurski delivered a wild pitch that got away from Lehigh Valley catcher Eric Kratz. The wild pitch allowed Carlin to score from third, giving Columbus the lead 2-1. That was not the end of the scoring for Columbus. Mills further aided the Clippers' offensive cause with two-run RBI single to right field, extending the Clippers advantage to 4-1.
From there, Mitch Talbot retired the side 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth and earned his second win of the 2011 IL postseason. He had an excellent night on the mound, giving up only one run on seven hits while striking out seven and walking nobody. He beat out Nate Bump for the victory, who pitched quite well, going 7 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out one and walking one.
The venue will change as the Clippers will travel to Allentown, Pennsylvania for Game 3 of the 2011 Governor's Cup Final. Veteran right-hander Joe Martinez (8-9, 4.04 ERA in 2011) will get the start for Columbus. He will oppose Lehigh Valley right-hander Dave Bush (1-2, 3.91 ERA in 2011). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
Kinston loses late inning lead, game
Kinston could not outlast Frederick in game two of the Mills Cup Championship Series, falling 3-2 in a contest that closed in the wee hours of Thursday morning.
An official rain delay of three hours and seven minutes was just the beginning. Frederick managed two runs in the eighth to prevail from behind, evening the series at one game apiece. It was just the 13th time on the year that Kinston has lost a one run ballgame.
Kinston’s magnificent postseason streak of 37 consecutive innings without trailing came to a close in the first. With two outs, Manny Machado walked and came home on a double from Aaron Baker that careened off the wall in left center field. It was also the first postseason run allowed by K-Tribe starter Michael Goodnight.
The Indians bats came alive in the fourth when Jesus Aguilar cracked his third postseason home run to knot the score at one run apiece. With two on, Delvi Cid ripped a liner off Keys pitcher Rick Zagone for an infield single. Zagone did not throw another pitch, limping off the field in obvious discomfort. Ryan O’Shea entered for Frederick and recorded two ground outs to leave the bases full of K-Tribers.
Aguilar’s miracle laden postseason continued Wednesday night with his third home run of the playoffs. Kinston’s first baseman has managed three long balls in four playoff hits, all of which have given the Indians an advantage or tied the contest.
Delvi Cid led off the top of the seventh inning with a double to the right center field gap. Tyler Holt then bunted Cid to third base. Bo Greenwell was walked and Adam Abraham lifted a sacrifice fly to give the K-Tribe a 2-1 advantage to start the late innings.
In the bottom of the eighth the K-Tribe sent Kyle Landis back out to the hill for a second inning of work. Manny Machado greeted Landis with a single. With two outs and Machado on second base Miguel Abreu singled to right field tying the game at two. Abreu took second base on the throw home. Brian Ward promptly singled home Abreu giving the Keys the lead late in the ball game. It was a 3-2 Keys lead heading to the ninth inning.
Sean Gleason struck out two in a perfect ninth inning. The Keys closer notched his second save of the playoffs.
Michael Goodnight fell one out shy of six innings, allowing one run on five hits in a no decision. Goodnight walked three and struck out four. Cody Allen finished the sixth, walking one and striking out one. Landis suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over two frames. Landis struck out three batters.
Frederick’s Ryan O’Shea kept the Keys in the contest, working four and one third innings, allowing one run and picking up the victory.
Historic Grainger Stadium will host games three through five of the Mills Cup Championship Series Thursday through Saturday at 6:30pm.
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