Batavia, N.Y.. – After holding Batavia scoreless through the first seven innings, the Crosscutters watched their five-run lead go by the wayside in 6-5 walk-off loss to open the road trip.
Matt Vierling got the Crosscutters night going early, singling to center field and reaching 2nd base on a error on the third pitch of the game. After a Keudy Bocio sacrifice bunt that placed Vierling on 3rd base, Vierling raced home on a wild pitch by Batavia starter Alberto Guerrero to give the Cutters a 1-0 lead.
Brayan Gonzalez capped the Williamsport scoring in the opening frame with a RBI double down the left field line, scoringBen Pelletier from 2nd base to extend the Crosscutters lead to 2-0. The RBI was the 2nd of the season for Gonzalez and his first since Opening Night.
Williamsport extended their lead in the top of the 5th inning, as Keudy Bocio singled sharply through the left side, scoringStoney O’Brien from 2nd base to give Williamsport a 3-0 lead against the Muckdogs starter. For Bocio, it was his 2nd run batted in on the year.
Cutters starting pitcher Ethan Lindow gave the Cutters five shutout innings in his second start of the season. The lefty worked around three hits and three walks while striking out five Muckdogs batters while looking for his first win of the season.
The Cutters offense added on to their lead in the top of the 6th inning against Batavia reliever Dylan Cyphert. CatcherNerluis Martinez led off the frame with a single, then scored on a Stoney O’Brien RBI ground out to 3rd base, making it 4-0 Williamsport, on O’Brien’s 1st RBI of the season.
Matt Vierling singled to center field, chasing home Jesus Henriquez with two out, advancing the Crosscutters lead to 5-0. For Vierling, it was his third hit of the night and gave him his 2nd RBI on the year.
Rafael Carvajal relieved Lindow, giving Williamsport two shutout innings out of the bullpen. Carvajal allowed a walk and a base hit while striking out a pair during his outing before being relieved by Oscar Marcelino in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Marcelino struggled, allowing all five batters he faced to reach base on two walks, two hits and a hit batter, before being removed for Jose Jimenez with the bases loaded and two runs already home.
Jimenez retired all three batters he faced in the 8th inning, but allowed an inherited run to score on a sacrifice fly by Denis Karas. Batavia scored three runs in all in the bottom of the 8th inning, all charged to Marcelino, cutting the Williamsport lead to 5-3.
In the bottom of the 9th inning, Jose Jimenez retired the first batter he faced only to walk the next to put a runner on first base. After the walk, Pat Borders made the move to the bullpen to get closer Luis Ramirez.
Ramirez nearly got the game-ending double play on the first batter he faced, getting Demitirus Sims to hit a grounder to Jesus Henriquez at 3rd, who threw on to 2nd for the 2nd out of the inning. Unfortunately the relay throw from Brayan Gonzalez was late and wide to 1st base allowing Sims to reach.
Jerar Encarnacion blistered a single over the leaping glove of Gonzalez at 2nd base moving Sims to 3rd base. Encarnacion moved to 2nd base on the play on a error by Gonzalez trying to handle the throw back into the infield.
J.D. Osbourne tied the game, singling through the left side against Ramirez, chasing home both Sims and Encarnacion, handing Ramirez his first blown save of the year.
After a walk to Albert Guaimaro to put the winning run at 2nd base, Harrison White pinch ran for Osbourne. Sean Reynoldsscored White with a single into right field, giving the Muckdogs the 6-5 walk off win.
The Crosscutters continue their six-game road trip tomorrow night in Batavia against the Muckdogs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Dwyer Stadium
Cutter Carvings – Cutters starting pitching has not allowed a run over their last 28 innings of work… Williamsport pitchers had not allowed a run over their last 26 innings before the Muckdogs scored in the 8th inning…The Crosscutters have lost both of their games on the road in walk-off fashion…
